Quite the Adventure!

I just realized that I have not blogged in a few days, so I will do my best to recount what has happened. Yesterday, Tuesday, was probably the most adventurous day so far!

Monday was a holiday, or Feriado, here, so all the girls were home from school. I got up and got ready. We ate breakfast, and the girls had a class with three nursing students about the changes they will experience during their adolescnt years. It was an interesting talk, but the younger girls could not relate to many of the topics that were brought up and discussed. It was interesting to me that many of the girls had not heard of bulimia or anorexia. The tias told me that health issues like this are not discussed openly. After the class was over, we played volleyball, which was so fun. It is a tradition that the winning team gets to pick a punishment for the losers. So, when my team lost, we had to run through the other team while they threw the ball at us. Lunch was a platano and ground beef casserole. I do not like platanos that much, but I really enjoyed the casserole. White rice and a vegetable salad accompanied the casserole.

After lunch, the older girls had a class with two other nursing students, which seemed to go more smoothly. The younger girls and I played Red Light, Green Light. They had never played that game, but loved it! After the older girls were done with their class, we headed to the park. The younger ones packed bags with babries and the older girls brought skateboards. We had a lot of fun! I helped push some of the younger girls on the swings.

When we got back to the house, we had dinner and then watched Mulan! They really enjoyed the movie and asked if we had Mulan in the U.S. They think that the U.S. is of a completely different world!

Tuesday was quite an interesting day, to say the least. I was having a bad day, and then it all turned around! I woke up, got ready, and took Nohemi to Pedacito. I just enjoy playing with Victoria so much! She is so sweet and funny! I wish everyone could meet her, but I will try and get some pictures of her this week! I helped Tia Evelin teach the older kids how to recognize and pronounce their names. It is pretty funny because a lot of them cannot even say their names--it is extremely cute! We played outside for a little bit, and then had lunch. It was one of my favorite lunches since I have been here. It was spaghetti that is traditional here. It was so delicious--I have to get the recipe! After lunch, I helped brush the kids´ teeth, put them in their beds, and rub their backs.

I headed back to the girls´ home because I had a meeting with Carolina about my schedule. I stopped at the little tienda (store) by our house for some water, but I did not have enough money on me. I was so mad because I was really thirsty! When I got back to my room, there was an ant infestation! I absolutely hate ants! I didn´t know what to do! I met with Carolina and got my schedule--I have Sundays and Wednesdays off, which is nice because I can skype with people on Sunday, and Wednesdays are a huge market day here. After our meeting, I had to drop all my stuff in my room, and the ants had multiplied! I asked Kimberly, who happened to be there, where I could buy ant spray. She told me what Micro, or bus, to take. I was nervous because I had never taken that micro, and had never been to that part of town. But, I got on the bus, and found my way. I got exactly what I needed, and realized I did not know where to catch the Micro home. So, I decided to get an empanada from Wistipiku, the famous empanada place in Bolivia. While I was waiting, I saw the bus that I needed go by! I knew how to get back! So, while I waited I ate this amazing cheese empanada and drank a coke! I was proud of myself for getting to the store, and getting back to our house safely! Right when I got back, I literally sprayed everywhere I thought the ants could be! So far, I have gotten pretty good at killing spiders, and good at spraying ants--things I would never do at home!

I was reading at one of the dinig room tables, and Sofia and Ana, two of the older girls who I haven´t talked to that much, asked me to play Uno with them. It ended up being one of the best nights I have had here! All we did was laugh! Ana had to go do some sewing for school, and Sofia and I kept playing. I had so much fun with her, and I realized that she has just been shy! We have a lot in common, and I really enjoyed getting to know her. I went to bed so happy with the day--I took a new bus to a completely new part of town, killed ants, and got to know two girls much better!

Today was my first day off, and I took complete advantage of it. Before I left, I wiped all the dead ant bodies off the wall, and sprayed more! I am quite the exterminator! I took the Micro down to the Correo (post office) and walked around the central plaza. I went to the bank, had a amazing coffee and pastry at Cafe Paris, and walked through a small Artesania market. I saw some really cool things, but decided not to buy anything because I have so much time to do that. Then, I walked up to Plaza Colon and along the Prado. It was A LOT of walking, but I feel like I know how to get around much better, especially on foot.

I had to come up to the Maryknoll Center for a meeting with the other volunteers and to try and get my ¨Illegal Alien Card,¨ as Dan calls it. I had no idea how to get up here. I saw that a few of the Micros had Cala Cala, the barrio (neighborhood) where the center is located, on their destination lists, so I decided to get on one and cross my fingers it went near the Maryknoll Center--another adventure. The Micro ended up dropping me off right at the Maryknoll Center! This was yet another proud moment for me!

Tonight, I have the meeting with the other volunteers, and we are going to go out to dinner. I just signed up for the trip to LAKE TITICACA in July! I am so excited about this trip! I just cannot wait! Next week, I am also going to look into traveling to Machu Picchu in Peru to see the ruins! I have always wanted to go, so I figure while I am down here I can make it there! Also, this morning I was eatting my yogurt and talking to Tia Maritza, and I ate the whole cup! I was amazed! I guess I like yogurt now!

Although I have only been here a week, I have done so many things that I never thought I would do, and have learned so much about myself! One really does grow while traveling and being pushed outside of his or her comfort zone!

Sorry this post is so long, I will try and keep them shorter! But, much more to come! I miss everyone, and hope I will be able to skype or ichat with eveyone on Sundays! Sending all my love!