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!

Word of the Week: ENJOY!

This week has definitely not been one of my best, but it is beginning to turn around! It began with a horrible sore throat, a high fever, and very bad neck pain. All of these are symptoms of typhoid fever and/or salmonella, and I was encouraged to get tested for both. Never a good way to start a week, but luckily, after a quick stop at the laboratory, it was confirmed that I had neither typhoid nor salmonella. I decided to also get a throat culture because my throat was far from normal. Tomorrow I will be getting the results, and hope it is nothing too serious. But, being the daughter of my father, I decided to take a trip to the pharmacy for some antibiotics. I opted for the strongest amoxicilan available. Thanks to this medicine, which was under $6 for 30 pills, I am feeling much better! Oh, I will miss the Bolivian pharmacies!

Also, this week has been very trying in other ways:

1. This is my first official week living alone in Cochabamba, Bolivia. From June-August I was living in a room at Corazon del Pastor, the girls' home. Although I was the only volunteer living there, I always had girls coming in and out, and spent a lot of time talking, reading, or playing games with the girls. It was far from lonely. And, from August up until last week I lived in the Maryknoll volunteer house with Tim, another short-term volunteer. So, this week it has been a little strange having no one living with me. However, Juan Francisco and David, the priests who live in front of the volunteer house, come over often to check-in and make sure everything is okay. Having time to myself has given me the opportunity to journal more, listen to music and relax, and devote more time to activities I enjoy and getting to know more people.

2. With Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday, quickly approaching, I seem to be getting more and more home sick. Because, in my opinion, Thanksgiving is really the only holiday that encourages thankfulness and gratitude for family and friends, and especially what we are fortunate to have, I am sad I will not be with my Mom and Dad, and my family and friends. But,distance does not hamper or place a restraint on the love and the gratitude I have for those in my life! As many say, in contrast, distance makes the heart grown fonder! So, even though I will not be present for the carving of the turkey or the serving of the stuffing, I will be thinking of and appreciating all those I love at home!

3. I am getting more and more anxious to head home! In under 6 weeks, I will board a plane to head to San Francisco! Yes, I am so excited to be home and see everyone I have missed dearly. But, I am also nervous to head back to the states. After almost 7 months, I have/will have become accustomed to life in Cochabamba--taking the s or 27 micro to work, shopping in the cancha, speaking Spanish, the kiss on the cheek greeting... However, I think the excitement of seeing everyone and being home for the holidays will overshadow the likely culture shock...I hope!

I have been struggling this week with all these thoughts and emotions. But, I keep reminding myself to enjoy each moment and each day--a goodbye kiss from Guillermo, helping Paty with her homework, reading with Nohemi, laughing and joking with Sofia and Camila, enjoying a meal with the Bolivian tias, who have graciously welcomed me into their lives, daily interactions with neighbors in the barrio. Each minute holds such beauty that I cannot forget to treasure and appreciate these tiny, but amazing moments!

Dia de los Difuntos!

Monday, November 1st we celebrated All Saints Day in Bolivia. This day is to honor all saints, and people who have died that you consider saints. Tuesday, November 2nd was All Soul's day or Dia de los Difuntos. (It is similar to Dia de los Muertos, but in Bolivia the day of celebration is referred to as All Saint's Day! There are many similar traditions to the Day of the Dead practices celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries.) The girls did not have school either day, but we discussed the meaning of both days and the traditions. Some of the girls have lost parents or siblings, and it was a tough time for them.

Tuesday was a feriado, or holiday here, and some volunteers and I had the opportunity to visit the main cemetery in Cochabamba. We took the bus to the area, and there were tons of people--some women and children were selling flowers, mini beverages and food to place in the tombs, huge lunches, wreathes, etc. When we arrived at the cemetery, people were having picnics on the grassy areas, singing songs, decorating the tombs, enjoying the company of family, sharing food and drink together in honor of a loved one. I did notice how many family members were there to support each other!

Unless your family has money, the dead are buried on tombs in the wall. The buildings housing the tombs are one or two stories and have 5 or 6 tombs in a row on top of one another. The wealthier families have huge crypts that are decorated with glass and statues, huge letters and marble. So, even in the cemetery one can witness the difference and the separation between the classes in Cochabamba.

We walked around the cemetery observing and watching the celebrations and decorating.It was amazing to see tons and tons of Cochabambinos out celebrating and remembering the life of someone they loved and cared so much about!

When we exited it was as if we entered another world. On the road outside of the cemetery, huge tents were set up in dedication to loved ones. It was like a festival and a party! The family members were sitting around the display of food and candy, beverages and pictures drinking chicha (a traditional alcoholic beverage), eating huge meals, talking, playing games--just enjoying the family time and celebrating the life of the one they love and miss. The food and decorations set up on tarps and aguayos inside and outside of the cemetery was arranged in a certain order to help guide the spirit.

Visiting the cemetery on All Soul's Day was an incredible experience--taking in the sights and the sounds, the beauty of the celebration and the culture. I was captivated by the dedication to decorating and ensuring that a loved one's spirit was content. Many of the families must have spent so much time and so much money to decorate and provide food and drink to the visiting spirits. It is absolutely incredible how much reverence and respect the Bolivians have for those who have passed away.