Home Sweet Home!

After the worst travel day ever--a delayed flight in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, waiting for over 30 minutes for luggage in Miami, running for the plane to San Francisco and just making it--I am home! I'm so happy, but it does feel strange! When I landed in Miami, I was a little confused--I kept speaking Spanish to people in the airport and got very strange looks, I couldn't figure out what to do with my toilet paper in the bathrooms, considering we cannot flush anything down the pipes in Bolivia, driving on the freeway was a new experience, hearing so much English has been strange, and reminding myself I can eat ice was a pleasant surprise!

I am so excited to see family and friends this weekend! I have missed everyone so much!

But, I do miss Bolivia, especially the kids from Ninos con Valor, so much! But, in about three weeks I will be turn around and have another very long day of travel to the heart of Cochabamba!

But, for now, I am going to enjoy this holiday season with my family and friends!

Merry Christmas Eve!
Feliz Navidad!

3 Days and Counting...

In three days I will be boarding an Aerosur flight to Santa Cruz, Bolivia for a night before a very early morning flight on Thursday that will take me to Miami, and finally to San Francisco! I really cannot express in words all the emotions and thoughts, feelings and excitement, nostalgia and uncertainty that are circulating and lingering in my mind.

Last night, after spending a few hours with the girls--we had a Christmas Tea Party and played a few card games--I had to prepare myself to say goodbye. It was so hard! I know I will be visiting the homes a few times this week, but saying goodbye will be so difficult. I feel like I got to know a lot of the girls much better during a adventure to Potosi and Sucre! So, leaving at this moment does not seem plausible or possible. Part of me is dying to be home, and the other part is not ready to say goodbye or see you later!

This week will be filled with goodbyes and despedidas (a goodbye party)! I don't know if I am ready, but whether I am or not, it will happen!

To all those at home, I really cannot wait to see you! And, for all those in Cochabamba, I am not ready to say bye! But, life moves on!

I am off to a Chrstmas dinner/Despedida at Tyson and Carolina's house!

A Long Overdue Update!

This post is long overdue, but life has been absolutely insane! Since the end of November, I had my first overseas Thanksgiving. It was definitely not the same as home, but I was surrounded by other volunteers who were missing home just as much as I was! Instead of a turkey, we had rotisserie chicken, which I had the privilege of carving! It was exciting! Sofia was the second girl to have her quince, and she was absolutely beautiful! She enjoyed her night full of amazing friends and family, delicious food (which the girls, tias, and volunteers helped prepare), and fun dancing! It has been so fun to part part of these 2 quinces! Like Olivia, I got to take Sofia to get her haircut and styled and her nails done for the big day! These are the special moments I will never forget! December 1st, World AIDS day, was celebrated here in Cochabamba. I had the privilege of partaking in the celebration with Ninos con Valor. All 24 girls and 14 young ones participated in a march from the top of the Prado to the Main Plaza downtown. It was an amazing experience, considering I work with children who suffer from this disease and the stigma that comes with it. The tias and the girls helped wheel the younger babies in strollers and carry others. It really was very powerful to see how many people turned out! In 20 or 25 years, the AIDS/HIV epidemic in Bolivia will be close to the situation in Africa, or even worse! People are starting to take it seriously, but there is still work to be done!

Last Sunday, we boarded a sleeper bus destined for Potosi. The staff and volunteers of Corazon del Pastor, the girls' home, headed south for the annual vacation. Every time I go on an adventure with the girls, I am shocked by their maturity and patience! They truly are amazing! Traveling with the girls enabled me to bond with many of them on a much deeper level. I am so many amazing memories from this trip, and pictures that really are worth a thousand words! The girls made the trip something so special and unforgettable. We visited churches and miradors that held the rich history and culture of Potosi! This amazing city was once regarded as the Paris of the Americas, but is now considered one of the poorest in the world. It sits up in the mountains, and is the highest city in the world. For once being such a treasure, it has been disregarded. You can still see the beauty, however, that once brought wealthy Europeans and North Americans to Bolivia! Sucre, the white city, was just as breathtaking! All the buildings near the main plaza are white! I was shocked at how clean the city was! Here Bolivia's Declaration of Independence was signed by Simon Boliviar, the Liberator. Sucre is a treasure, but today much political unrest caused by the conservatives of the city is palpable. We tried Saice, a traditional dish in Sucre with beef, potatoes, and rice--it was delicious, or muy rico as we say!

But, on a day to day basis, trips to the park with the young ones have been frequent and vacation time with the girls has been great! Having them all home together has made for great reading time and art projects, game time and chats!

In less than a week I will be heading back home for about 3 weeks before I return to Cochabamba for language school and more volunteering with Ninos con Valor! I am so excited to see the people I have missed for over 6 months! Here is to my last week in Cochabamba--to memories and special moments!