Just Call Me Typhoid Megan!

So, the verdict is in! I officially have the ´phoid! But, have no fear...it is not a bad case. On the typhoid scale, I am in the lower section. The doctor that works for Ninos con Valor read my results and prescribed a few pills to rid me of the disease.

Oddly, I have very few of the symptoms associated with typhoid. No vomiting. No diarrhea. Just a fever, a few sporadic nose bleeds, and a few red spots.

Other than this recent development, I am doing well. I am really enjoying my four teachers I have for these two weeks! One has amazing stories about coming from two very distinct, very different worlds--a Criollo mother and a very Indigenus father. I love talking with her about her life and her experiences, and she really does inspire me to work for what I beleive in! Another is very into the history of Latin America and we spend the whole class talking about the explotation of the ingigenus by the Spanish, the unnecessary US intervention within Latin America, and the current political changes within the countries of Latin America. She gives me tons of book and movie recommendations, which I will one day get to, I hope! The other two focus more on grammar and pronunciation, but still know how to make me laugh and get me talking.

That is pretty much all for now...continuing to enjoy my experiences, even typhoid! But, missing everyone in the states! Sending love!

Felicidades Maryknoll

Well, I feel like the weeks are flying by...we have already finished 2 weeks of classes, and by the end of this week I will be half way done with my time at the Maryknoll Language Institute. I absolutely love my classes and my professors, and to be honest, am loving studying and homeowrk again! I really feel like my Spanish is improving! My homework for my classes is a lot, and sometimes overwhelming, but is helping me! I have begun my first novel in Spanish--it has been a struggle, but I am trying. At least it is a novel by Isabel Allende, one of my favorite authors!

I have made quite a few friends here at the Institute--we do hang out as much as possible. We have ventured out into the city, and a small group of us headed to Sacaba, a small town outside of the city of Cochabamba last Saturday. We were told Sacaba has cute restaurants and shops, however, we did not find any restaurants or shops. We ventured into a beautiful church in the main plaza of the small town, but had to leave quickly because a funeral was taking place. After about 20 minutes, we headed back to Cochabamba to have saltenas and walk around. I also had the opportunity to hit the town with my host siblings, which was a blast! Before leaving home, we palyed a few Bolivian dice games while drinking a traditional Bolivian drink--singani! After a few rounds and a few glasses, we headed to the centro to dance. I absolutely love my sister Bana! She and I are very alike, and we had so much fun dancing and singing.

We had a Maryknoll family gathering this past Saturday as well, and it made me realize how lucky and fortunate I am to be a part of a wonderful organization that is dedicated to service and justice, education and adventure. The Catholic organization is celebrating its 100th year, and here in Bolivia we celebrated the past years of service within the country. Some of the Fathers and Sisters who arrived in the 60s and 70s shared stories and recollections of a less developed, more rural Cochabamba. I am so proud to be serving with Maryknoll, the first religious organization that came to Bolivia to serve and struggle with the Bolivian people. Other religious organizations dediced not to come to the poorest country of South America because there was too much poverty and little was known about the inhabitants. One sister shared that a campesino shared with her his gratitude and thanks for Maryknoll´s work in Bolivia--something that has stayed with her for years. The campesion said that unlike the Franciscans who brought Saint Francis, and the Jesuits who brought Saint Ignatius, and the Salesians who brought Don Bosco, the missioners and congregation of Maryknoll brought Christ, and for this, he proclaimed he was forever grateful! To 100 more successful years for the Maryknoll family. So grateful to be part of such an amazing religious organization!

Although I am enjoying classes, spending time with other students and my host family, I do miss working daily at the homes. I went to visit Pedacito on Friday, and the hugs and kisses made my day! I miss hanging out with the young ones and the girls!

Still missing everyone from home, but definitely loving every moment here in Cochabamba!

Back in Cochabamba!

Well, it has been quite the first few days here in the lovely valley town. I arrived on Saturday and met my hos family. Saturday night, we went to a family party and I met brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents, nieces and nephews. It was a fun party, but ended not too well. This incident led to a change of host families yesterday. I am now living closer to school in an area that I know. Also, I am with an amazing family--a wondeful mom and dad, and sweet brothers and sisters. I feel much more comfotable and safe in my new home!

Also, we had orientation and our first classes yesterday. I have four classes that are 45 minutes each with one teacher and I. It is difficult, but I think will challenge me and help improve my Spanish. I am really looking forward to these 6 weeks of classes. I have already started meeting other students, which is also a plus!

Visiting both the girls and the younger ones really helped me feel batter! Seeing them again made me feel so much better! I watched a few episodes of Drake and Joush an played Candyland with the girls, and played outside with the little ones! I really did miss them!

This weekend will be a good, but busy one! Friday I am going dancing with the tias and Saurday I will be attending the annual Moda Loca at the girls´ home, which is a crazy, insane, wacky modeling show!

After a rough start, I am feeling much more settled and at home. But, atill missing everyone!

Sending all my love and more to come!

Less Than a Week...

It would take me more than a month to type my feelings about my time here at home. I have such mixed sentiments about everything--leaving family and friends again, heading back to Bolivia to embark on a new journey of language classes and volunteer work, adjusting to the North American culture, missing the Ninos kids more than I can describe, and the list continues.

Although there have been more than a few overwhelming moments (shopping in a very busy H&M and hearing people discussing the purchase of expensive material items when I know the poverty that exists in third world countries like Bolivia), home has been great! It has been so amazing to spend time with my family and friends. I have posted a few pictures from my time at home! (Erica, I wish you were in these!!!!) It has been the little moments-smiles and laughs, hugs and kisses, conversations and jokes that have made the long trek back to the States so worth it! I was also able to watch a great weekend of FOOTBALL with my dad, which brought back numerous memories from my childhood! As my dad and I watched nervously, the Packers narrowly defeated the Eagles, and Marshawn Lynch, an Oakland native and Cal star, had an amazing game as the Seahawks beat the Saints. The food I have had while being home has been more than amazing! I think I have been eating non-stop, which I guess is okay.

This week I have lots of appointments and packing to do, but I am looking forward to beginning classes at the Maryknoll Language Institute. But, more than anything, I am looking forward to giving and receiving huge hugs from the kids I work with! I have missed seeing them almost everyday! I was talking with a family friend who commented that I am influencing and changing the lives of these kids through my volunteer work. But, as I told her, I think I am receiving more than I ever can give back! These kids and their stories have changed my life forever, and I am so honored and lucky to be able to spend eight more months with them!

As Friday, January 14th, quickly approaches, I am filled with bitter sweet feelings. Although I have found a niche and a wonderful volunteer opportunity in Bolivia, there will never be any place like home.

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!