tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14353151245815849042024-03-05T15:59:11.609-08:00My Journey in BoliviaArelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-84087509020235800272010-08-10T15:14:00.001-07:002010-08-10T15:14:48.559-07:00New Bloghomeincentralpa.blogspot.comArelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-27396328083522922362010-06-13T08:30:00.000-07:002010-06-13T08:49:29.567-07:00honesty is the best policy (i think)When I first arrived to Santa Cruz, I was slightly disappointed. I know I came abroad to learn but I still had my requisitos! I wanted to be working with people from the west, I wanted the weather to be tropical (but not too hot), I wanted the city to be walkable, I wanted to like all the food, etc. Pretty much I was expecting Quito again (minus tropical weather). Santa Cruz is different.<br /><br />And I still fell in love with the city.<br /><br />For me, it was a hard city to adjust to. Its usually super super hot for most of the year, there is a lot of dirt/sand, and a lot of trash. It takes a good hour to get from one end of the city to the center. The culture dominant culture is that of the lowlands and not of the highlands. And everyone always tries to look good all the time (that was hard for me...haha).<br />But there are so many things that I overlooked when I was grumbling in January and February to my co-SALT friends. The children playing soccer in every corner of the city. The hospitality of the people. And the community that fills the air here. I am not saying that people from the west arent like that, I wouldnt know. But I do know the cruceños are community oriented, if I am allowed to speak that generally. I have always felt welcomed and included by the people I have interacted with here.<br />So thank you Santa Cruz. I havent always been kind to you but you have always been kind to me. So kind enough to give me piojos, hongos, alergies, amoebas, and a chronic cold! :P<br /><br />On a different note...here are some pictures from the guarderia!Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-37218625018716630882010-05-04T09:21:00.000-07:002010-05-04T09:23:19.840-07:00Family Visits<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEdwin%5CCONFIG%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEdwin%5CCONFIG%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CEdwin%5CCONFIG%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Visiting families is by far the most exciting and most educational (for me) part of my job.<span style=""> </span>I am feel so privileged that these families allow me to come to their home, often intruding on their family time to chat with me about personal aspects of their lives.<span style=""> </span>It allows me to see the realities they are confronting on a daily basis. Realities such as having their children work as well when they are not in school to bring home a few coins, or the reality of having to sleep only four hours a night because they need to take care of their homes and work, or the reality of their kids getting sick because the city is so dirty and there is so much dust, sitting water, and humidity where bacteria can fester.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><span style=""> </span>And I am not sharing this because I think we should feel guilty.<span style=""> </span>Not to say that guilt cannot be a productive emotion because it can, but when we get stuck in that guilt, live in that guilt and only respond with “I have to eat all the food on my plate because there are starving children in Bolivia,” well, that helps us finish our food but where does that leave us?<span style=""> </span>Us full feeling guilty and those kids still hungry.<span style=""> </span>It’s important to continually challenging ourselves to keep making sustainable changes towards peace and justice.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">I visited one of my favorite (shhh…I know I should not have favorites) kid’s mom a couple of weeks ago and she was so open and hospitable.<span style=""> </span>Something that I always appreciate because it’s more than I should ever ask for.<span style=""> </span>She is 19 and is a single mom of a beautiful, intelligent 2 year old.<span style=""> </span>And after our visit, she walked me to take a micro even though I said that it wasn’t necessary but she insisted I would get lost. On the way out her nephew (3 years old) who also goes to the guarderia wanted to come with me and when I said I would see him on Monday at the guarderia, he starting crying. So his aunt said he could come with us to the micro stop and that calmed him down and we walked down that dusty road together, him clutching my hand. On the way there, she said to me…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">“We are all going to miss you when you leave. Especially the kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">“You think? Maybe the kids won’t even remember me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">“Oh no, they will definitely remember you.<span style=""> </span>I remember going to church when I was a little girl and meeting all kinds of foreigners that would come to help us. I can still remember each of their faces til this day”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">“Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">“Yea, but they never did come back.<span style=""> </span>I wonder why….maybe they didn’t like it here or maybe they just don’t have time to visit us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">That conversation has been on my mind ever since.<span style=""> </span>I have been reflecting and going over her words repeatedly for a number of reasons.<span style=""> </span>The biggest reason being that these volunteers came to “help them” and that she would always remember them but never see them again.<span style=""> </span>I wonder if they remember her. And another being that I want the kids to remember me, but not as a foreigner who used them to get a rewarding experience, but as one who felt absolutely privileged to walk alongside them.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">So what does it mean for us to go to other countries and visit? How can we make sustainable changes in our lives that allow us to be in solidarity with our global brothers and sisters? What can we do so that they never feel abandoned as this mom… <o:p></o:p></span></p> Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-88245465997070764152010-04-26T11:42:00.000-07:002010-05-22T06:10:46.726-07:00A reflection of sortsI wanted to post pictures of "Dia de los Niños" but the internet is so slow and it wont post. So I will have to try to post from my host dad's bookstore!<br /><br />I will now post about something different....a reflection of sorts<br /><br />I have less than three months left. And I honestly cant wait to go home. I have realized that my journey of traveling abroad for extended periods of time ends with this one. I have become convicted. I am convicted that we are always to go back to our country, our roots, our communities, and work for change there. I dont know if I believe in international missions work even if it is not evangelizing and instead peace-making like MCC. On the other hand, I do think it is good to experience life outside of one's own in order to see how one lives life in their country affects the lives of others in other country. And those beliefs are contradictory.<br /><br />I am learning a lot...that I know has changed me for a lifetime. I have had the privilege to travel but those I am learning so much from dont. How is that fair?<br /><br />I work with an organization that is all about solidarity and peace-making yet they have multiple vehicles (that are used for organizational and personal use by volunteers), high speed wireless internet, washer and dryer, electricity, computers, copiers, and all of the families that work within the city of santa cruz (international volunteers) but one couple (because their job is to work with a certain community) live in the center (within the 2nd ring), richest part of the city. While I work with parents that can barely (and some cant) afford to pay $6 to a daycare center. And they need daycare just to put food on the table! How is that fair?<br /><br />There is a family that was so desperate for money they had their two sons (ages 9 and 6) sheer sheep and the 6 year old cut is hand pretty badly. He earned 5 bolivians=75cents that day. I know a mom who left her home in desperation (but came back) because she couldnt feed her kids because of her drunk husband spent all of his money in alcohol to drown the sorrows of his broken relationship with his father.<br /><br />There comes a time where learning and witnessing all of these injustices isnt enough anymore. Where saying, "This struck me" or "This is injust" isnt enough anymore. But its so easy to say and so hard to do! And I am so guilty of ignoring and avoiding the main issue at hand...which is violence.<br /><br />It is easy to say "I am not going to drink coca-cola" or "I am not going to buy used cheap clothing that was originally made in Bolivia, sent to the US, used by US citizens, then returned to Bolivia that pushes local business out of the market because they cant compete" or "I am only buying fair trade gifts."<br /><br />No, I am convinced that it is changing a mentality. Changing a life style to true peacemaking and solidarity. We will never reach perfect peace and solidarity but we have to move from just reflection to action. Here is a quote from a friends blog that as been on my mind the past couple of weeks. This quote was said by our mentor in El Salvador who deconstructed with me many lies or false beliefs I had. I am still processing through that week and it has been more than a year.<br /><br />“To work for peace and justice in societies which value possessions and consumerism can be a very trying experience, because that is what is promoted, sold to the peoples and nations in the world. Thus, the ways to create balances and keep the clarity to go on is essential. This is the key to the path of peace, and one must be about this every day. It is not about optimism, nor faith. It is about having come to a certainty – with no doubt – that this is one’s way, and that this is the contribution you are to make here on earth. It is about being able to see the vision, the light that is much farther than the day, the year, the working on the issues, or even present needs, and for that light and vision to guide one’s work to impact the seventh generation and beyond. To know – not to believe, but to know – that this is your call, your challenge, and then to be ready to carry it out in a most creative way, in joy, so you can be about your path and create possibilities so that society in its entirety can be about this nationhood project – the durable, sustainable peace project.”Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-11891723310790446892010-03-29T16:46:00.000-07:002010-04-06T11:09:16.586-07:00Lost the battles...But I have won the war! Sorry for the delayed posting. It was all for a good reason.<br /><br />So many of you may know, and some of you may not. One of my challenges this year has been having little creatures crawl throughout my scalp, make babies, and suck my blood. Yes, piojos...aka lice. It all started when my family came to visit...in December....<br /><br />My head was itching like no other, and my mama told me, "Arelis, I think you have lice." And I said (after considering all of the lice infested kids at the guarderia)..."Mama, I think you are right." And she was. It was confirmed later that week by my host mom, Juana. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsylyC66Hr7QfFb4SGhB2ZmQDROeEXH6G7QM7laA6CfD_CFDhG2xNwhnFaHualZLh37nzlQOF-iutycBPtmN3mWgDuq4gVait2mjiZHbo5RW09Pj9zza0OebQ8CaEPbSJAkXfWdAwxMk/s1600/lice"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsylyC66Hr7QfFb4SGhB2ZmQDROeEXH6G7QM7laA6CfD_CFDhG2xNwhnFaHualZLh37nzlQOF-iutycBPtmN3mWgDuq4gVait2mjiZHbo5RW09Pj9zza0OebQ8CaEPbSJAkXfWdAwxMk/s320/lice" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457086772078879490" border="0" /></a><br />Little did I know at that point in time that I would be fighting long battles up until the end of March. 3 months. So in this posting, I want to thank all the people who helped me fight and eventually win...by combing, plucking, shampooing my hair (at one point Juana (host mom) put rubbing alcohol in my hair), and pulling out and popping eggs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOm-MJLqsBxBEzeSIukYgVxWgdjf-pZhculYOMQ0NYqluiqvGn5lnQbIjfQ0V4W3RcBI-qvatzA7KHGOHkOPDTZRoQq1baCpdwh6oZ5678RknzzW2ug5eQ6Wu0DXcTlCNjzXLSH2srwE/s1600/lineup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOm-MJLqsBxBEzeSIukYgVxWgdjf-pZhculYOMQ0NYqluiqvGn5lnQbIjfQ0V4W3RcBI-qvatzA7KHGOHkOPDTZRoQq1baCpdwh6oZ5678RknzzW2ug5eQ6Wu0DXcTlCNjzXLSH2srwE/s320/lineup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457087914560481154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Josh, Kathy, Juana (host mom), Juana (MCC), Julie, Laurie, Corrie's host mom, Vicky, Maritza, Liz, Lupe, Paolo, Corrie.<br /><br />I may sound dramatic...and its because it was. Hopefully, I will make it through the rest of my year without getting it again!<br /><br />But working with the precious kids at the guarderia makes it all worth it!<br /><img src="file:///tmp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-15864716276977420232010-03-04T15:16:00.000-08:002010-03-04T15:29:15.165-08:00Life is preciousThis week has been busy. BUSY. We have been getting ready to open the new guarderia (pictures to be posted soon). The preperation period has consisted of painting, climbing fences to paint, attacking ant hills...more like ants attacking us, drinking lots of cheap soda, and waxing floors by hand. Unfortunately, one coworker had to skip out on all the fun this week. Maggie went to the emergency room Monday night with the worst stomach pain probably anyone this side of the country has seen. But it turned out to be something quite more serious. Due to my lack of spanish medical term language I couldnt quite understand anything. But what I gathered was the Maggie had a tumor in her ovary that had gone undetected and popped/exploded which then contimated other organs. When my boss, Yuneth, took her to the hosptial that night everyone thought she wasnt going to make it. They didnt know what was wrong, and she was passed out. She was completely yellow and weak. Doctors at first did not want to operate because they didnt want to be blamed for her death if she were to die during the operation. Gracias a Dios, a doctor took the challenge and saved her life. She was operated successful Monday night without being put to sleep.<br />I went to vist on Tuesday night and almost passed out in her room. I just couldnt bare to see her lying there so weak and in so much pain. She is only 25! So I exited the room, sat down to calm my head down, and started crying. I composed myself as much as I could and then walked back in the hospital room to be with her. She told me not to cry but I couldnt help it. It wasnt until that very moment that I realize just how much I love my coworkers. Naturally, we almost always have our cultural conflicts but we are always end our days laughing together, and many times at the expense of someone :P But seeing her lying there made me realize just how precious life is.<br /><br />"Thank you, dear Lord, for this good life, and forgive us if we do not enjoy it enough."<br /><br />Although Maggie is healing wonderfully, keep her and us in your thoughts, as we figure out how to help her pay her medical bills...Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-2616913662930008932010-02-23T10:26:00.000-08:002010-02-23T11:08:23.204-08:00to wear or not to offendThere is a significant amount of diversity here in Santa Cruz, as it goes for many major cities. Or at least this is what I first thought when I first arrived. And although it still remains true to some extent, I believe there are 3 different ways people dress here.<br /><br /><div>1. the indigenous look- two long thick braids down the back, a hoop skirt that hits the knees, sometimes a straw hat or top hat or sometimes nothing. And often times carrying a child or items in an aguayo. An aguayo is a multicolor woolen cloth that they strap around themselves to carry things on their backs. </div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441509905229329794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBuhB2FQNROEq34Qwn4Uqee_30-JFrGTAu44OwDN0ejKKVrpPSd4yHPJXvYIG4daLqSSk6Er3B3tCzl-vkQ-OKMgqWrX9ksSdwYvglQ9L9HJRYAWuqgUd6NCpsNTQjxsmZQHuk6QwQ9I/s320/DSC_4671.JPG" border="0" />2. the camba look- Bolivians in Santa Cruz dressing in US styled clothing. Often the women wear heels and have a big, fake flower in their hair. </div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441511095399834226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwnf2iQSY-V4-5eQ1IBs94aAvkR4Kpn661zpjCzMwpyV-b5CGmSNivgRNEBPxYaHntXroWCwN-JWPJlqtOnUKYnxAu1FAdxB9iIzpLZGLwbPrCo-5lDJt_2m6szFEsQW97QkpSTmd4uU/s320/camba.jpg" border="0" />3. the mennonite look- there are thousands of mennonites that live around santa cruz within conservative traditional colonies. often times they will come into santa cruz to do business.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441512396366038962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCk_vErJUCx8K65MV7Hg_ypIG8XDgcBFs_ZiC7zdDTdk5oanV4v0igel-IUWGkwJST0c6w7z7iVWIL9YaTOcRJ5LNMVqPEfHQBOOdIckgSpYpUMJ6AWwrA5khm-kNZelsN9mfxYJ-gK0/s320/mennonites.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p></p><p>I have come to realize that I struggle to rock any these looks. And the one the that I should try to pull of is the camba look. Women here look good most days most of the time. They usually match perfectly. They wear heels. They have a lot of great beautiful hair. To illustrate, I once came to work wearing jeans, black flip flops, a black shirt, and a yellow headband. My boss hit me on my forehead and exasperatedly informed me that I do not match! I apologize for not having a black headband? what? And these are not the first comments I have received about my lack of style. I realize that I dont dress to impress. But I honestly dont know how to move forward! I dont want big fake flowers in my hair or prance around the cities dirty streets with heels on. But I am slowly trying to improve. I bought a skirt at a used market and sandals with with three huge rhinestones that strap around my ankle. Let the transformation begin!</p><p>Some of you may be wondering...who cares? be yourself, be an individual! I thought that too for a long time but now I am not so sure if that is the best approach. I dont get off as easy according to Bolivians because I dont look gringa. I look Latina and as a result I am held to another standard. Additionally, I am working with families that highly value looks and if one is put together. Yes, this is important even to marganilzed poor families. They will look strive to look their best when they go out even if they are struggling to make ends meet. So what does that mean for me? Shouldnt I try to assimiliate as much as possible? Wouldnt assimiliating help me establish crediblity? But the real question is...how far is too far?</p><p>Share thoughts please.</p>Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-32669225862126536352010-02-19T06:38:00.000-08:002010-02-19T06:40:33.271-08:00General UpdateWhat to write… what to write…!<br /><br />Well, it may be a good idea to update on how I am doing and what I am doing since a few folks have been asking.<br /><br />I am happy to report that overall I am doing well (except for this very moment where I am suffering from allergies). I feel a lot more settled here and actually starting to like my life in Santa Cruz. I honestly think that Josh´s and my family´s visit helped a lot. They are the ones I talk with the most on a regular basis and they can understand better my context which helps them support me!<br /><br />Coming as a SALTer has had its challenges. SALTers in Bolivia kind of get lost within the MCC team and we don’t receive too much support/affirmation (except for a great coordinators) from MCC Bolivia. That was really hard in the beginning but I think a lot of us have adjusted appropriately. I came in with the notion that the SALT program (Serving and Living Together) would be more intentional on processing with SALTers and even though that has not been the case, I have had the opportunities to do that with my boss, coworkers, family, and friends. Naturally, they most often don’t understand where I am coming from but I love learning their points of view and the context in where those views developed.<br /><br />We are anxiously waiting for the new daycare to be finished. It is still under construction and has been delayed due to the rainy season! I am honestly nervous that it is not going to be completed by the date we told the families we would be open- March 1st. And we are short a few thousand dollars to pay it off. Those two things have definitely added tension to the work environment but we have still kept positive attitudes which a lot of that can be attributed to rejuvenated spirits.<br /><br />I have grown closer to my host family over the last couple of months which has been really fun. They are so different than any other host family, mainly because of family structure, history, and theological beliefs. I really enjoy going to mass every Saturday night. Such a different but beautiful style of worship. I am not permitted to take communion because I hasvent taken my First Communion within the Catholic church BUT I do get to go up at the end of every service and get blessed by the father by sprinkling water on me using a white rose. That is usually the highlight of the service for me because I actually get to participate.<br /><br />Soon I will start visiting families and I am pumped but also nervous. There are many cultural offenses that I am just learning that I wasn’t aware of like…do not toss anything to people, do not sit with your back facing a person (even if they are not part of the conversation/meeting/group), do not mentioned that you are going shopping to buy used clothing, and always always look good! Ahh! The last cultural value listed has forced me to go to markets to buy new clothing because I really don’t have any clothes that are nice.<br />In all it has been fun finally adjusting to the city, culture, and life. I still have my homesickness moments but they are fading away more and more as I start to realize what little time I have left and all the many things I have yet to discover and people to meet.<br /><br />Que Dios les bendiga!Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-25582838440486437722010-02-13T05:42:00.000-08:002010-02-13T05:49:55.388-08:00half ass entry<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Excuse my language! But nothing can describe this entry as good as that. I want to post about various things with pictures but I don´t have my camera or time right now. Here are some links for those who want to read more about the political/social situation in Bolivia. Enjoy!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">http://ain-bolivia.org/2010/01/debunking-myths-the-eastern-lowlands-of-santa-cruz-part-of-an-integrated-bolivia/</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://ain-bolivia.org/2010/02/debunking-myths-part-ii-bolivia%E2%80%99s-autonomy-initiatives/<br /><br />Happy Valentine´s Day Josh! and Happy Carnaval!</span><br /></span></span></span>Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-38782580748809349242010-02-02T09:54:00.000-08:002010-02-02T10:31:25.554-08:00El Choque¨Choque¨ in spanish means a impact, crash, shock, or clash. I usually use the word to mean cultural clash. Growing up in a Latin American home (within the US context), having visited Puerto Rico many times, and having lived in Ecuador, I thought coming to Bolivia would be cake. Naturally, I expected some misunderstandings or situations where I would feel out of context but never did I expect it to be at this level. I feel like I am constanting clashing with the culture. Perhaps I have never felt this before because I have never worked or lived for more than five months in those other contexts. For the exception of my home where I grew up which had acculturated a significant amount to our broader society.<br />Here in Bolivia, I am confronted daily with things I dont understand or like or even want to learn to like or deal with. These include (in Santa Cruz)- machisimo, spanish words specific to Bolivia (there are A LOT), the food, the coya/camba conflict, trash, pedestrians not having the right away, hatred against Evo, poor nutrition habits, urinating in public, people pushing to get a seat on the bus, abandoned women and children, people be robbed at gunpoint, drunk men hitting/falling on me. I have hit rock bottom of the cultural clash chart. I hate admitting that too. I have grown up in a society where my culture often is unacknowledged and oppressed. So of course, I thought before coming here... ¨no way will I judge cruceño culture!¨ I thought I could be very tolerant and not view the culture through North American lenses. I thought that I wouldn´t struggle with cultural clashes. I obviously wasn´t being honest with myself. And how can I then as a US citizen reconcile with that? That I hate sometimes this culture!<br />I acknowledge the fact that I my country (yes, I am calling the US my country!) has played a major role in many of those aspects that I just listed. The trash, nutrition habits, political climate, alcoholism, etc. It is a hard reality to face.<br />I have to constantly remind myself that I am privileged to be here and that I am human. I am imperfect. Even if I came with the notion to Bolivia that I wouldn´t struggle with cultural differences, that I would be the best SALTer MCC or Samuelito has ever seen, the greatest host sister, daughter, grandaughter, niece to my Bolivian family, sooner or later I would have to realize that I was being very unrealistic. But in the midst of learning how to cope, how to reconcile, how to appreciate, how to build relationships with the marginalized, the poor, and even the rich of Santa Cruz, I am maturing as an individual. And something that Bolivians have taught me here in Santa Cruz is to see the beauty that is all around me. This beauty includes the determined loving spirit of the families I work with, the fruit trees that populate the city, the children that walk along the roads, the vendors that sell me soda in a bag, the clear sunsets, the business of the rotonda, and many many more. It is always good to remind myself in the midst of the ¨choque¨ to look for that beauty because in my business and at times, grumpiness, I can easily miss it. Beauty is not always loud in our faces but is hidden all around us. We just need open eyes and hearts to see it. Then, once we can embrace our individual darkness (frustrations, fears, etc.), seek and appreciate the beauty, and are open to learn, we can be agents of change for the communities we work with and love. I believe it is truly a life long process.Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-56371881321373761262010-01-25T13:48:00.000-08:002010-01-25T15:57:23.149-08:00I really like picturesAlright, so, I realize that I have been using a lot of pictures in my latest entries...and all I want to say is, it is not because I don't want to write a REAL entry. Its that I love pictures so I figure so does everyone else! Some are old pictures but honestly, I don't have anything interesting to blog about except for maybe complaints...but that is not interesting and I don't want to self indulge in self pity about stupid things like mosquitoes :P So here is my last month of work of 2009 in pictures and some family too :)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3Xaw9qjvAWsNilBNZUX_ixg_lvD9a_icF4s-qTuk3H19-Yz6BufU_pYVxR0vpMOCdQV7WgDQExqeNj17x0-Eaa0ZLaAtHQT1tSIGAfGj9nprAte5JldMhpp7bHOq_b1CusxzTjw9mHQ/s1600-h/P1120283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3Xaw9qjvAWsNilBNZUX_ixg_lvD9a_icF4s-qTuk3H19-Yz6BufU_pYVxR0vpMOCdQV7WgDQExqeNj17x0-Eaa0ZLaAtHQT1tSIGAfGj9nprAte5JldMhpp7bHOq_b1CusxzTjw9mHQ/s320/P1120283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430805214076147170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3Xaw9qjvAWsNilBNZUX_ixg_lvD9a_icF4s-qTuk3H19-Yz6BufU_pYVxR0vpMOCdQV7WgDQExqeNj17x0-Eaa0ZLaAtHQT1tSIGAfGj9nprAte5JldMhpp7bHOq_b1CusxzTjw9mHQ/s1600-h/P1120283.JPG"> </a>This is a picture of my 10 year old host sister, Nati (short for Natalia) holding my six month old host niece, Genesis. Yes, Genesis is bundled up even though it was probably about 80 degress when this picture was taken (okay, maybe 75). But that is how the Bolivians do. Kids get sick from being cold. Anyway, I love how fat and adorable Genesis is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LieuLHLAurcWS90UPe5UjaPAK4H_IEbWfvT2VCm1ZNCPb_L5-ruQwQIN895F2T3pqwblC4jgpJrdJ0WXQj03HyrEo-cu2fptI5PDNtDQRNBgvt4uGRBU1yxUDWrHU_xY9-J8gT0if5s/s1600-h/PB170201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LieuLHLAurcWS90UPe5UjaPAK4H_IEbWfvT2VCm1ZNCPb_L5-ruQwQIN895F2T3pqwblC4jgpJrdJ0WXQj03HyrEo-cu2fptI5PDNtDQRNBgvt4uGRBU1yxUDWrHU_xY9-J8gT0if5s/s320/PB170201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430807800440803298" border="0" /></a>This child doesn't actually attend the guaderia but is actually a relative of one of our kids. So precious I couldnt resist!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-pWkh1v65Hsq1R1jE2IuW_RooL-97mwA72Id1SEPChSOGd-7Fnviw1TCloZwDkEvg4e_fFh4hhlfxqojobnl9ThKC_OFlqH-DdE3VnRft6O0DiKnP6C0sMeFAQazyGauTJLZkkgAMtg/s1600-h/PB230209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-pWkh1v65Hsq1R1jE2IuW_RooL-97mwA72Id1SEPChSOGd-7Fnviw1TCloZwDkEvg4e_fFh4hhlfxqojobnl9ThKC_OFlqH-DdE3VnRft6O0DiKnP6C0sMeFAQazyGauTJLZkkgAMtg/s320/PB230209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430809157486109730" border="0" /></a>This is the latest picture I have of the new building that is being constructed. I am excited to say that since I took this picture the roof is complete and the floors are installed, whoo hoo!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdvKYmDhYXe5gKmJWyqLmBVWlQRTlGcYtFuJgyXiqrGXhcBSsIrYjOBUf_RYlqEc9o45k0ncnpSL95vP_18s11aDgrVEpM3XAdX9pVScbBggG2oM3jw1imUg7CVr6-kjrm1UUcKcKT-k/s1600-h/PC040232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdvKYmDhYXe5gKmJWyqLmBVWlQRTlGcYtFuJgyXiqrGXhcBSsIrYjOBUf_RYlqEc9o45k0ncnpSL95vP_18s11aDgrVEpM3XAdX9pVScbBggG2oM3jw1imUg7CVr6-kjrm1UUcKcKT-k/s320/PC040232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430810274918194306" border="0" /></a>Boys will be boys.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i7m17WW-briCyBUXUc1NIIINW12P_1GEk9ubyaf4biEAPrZDmjeOtqVaxY_wAxq1OCGodh-pA1I-UJcLz_Hm7W2hDjG9ur4RhnwmJ8zi3EWW5KuuIQuPQgwDmJABtptrqoFSJnAKPAQ/s1600-h/PC040237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6i7m17WW-briCyBUXUc1NIIINW12P_1GEk9ubyaf4biEAPrZDmjeOtqVaxY_wAxq1OCGodh-pA1I-UJcLz_Hm7W2hDjG9ur4RhnwmJ8zi3EWW5KuuIQuPQgwDmJABtptrqoFSJnAKPAQ/s320/PC040237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430813890737086994" border="0" /></a>Dancing! We had a end of the year birthday party for all of the kids in December. It was so fun! Here are two girls dancing merengue. They learn young...that is why they are so amazing at dancing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYSiFUqb1VsR6vLs4jc8v3NMqFcAR-AKe1T6wKqdX4spn6CmBCVL3Ai8cJNX_1cSNmkzDku20l4ErMKNZRxjjpkKn3ed1jxkvDeZxs4CZ1UQZGNi5CdXTnaNg-kzMFRqDlaKRrfss0s4/s1600-h/PC040239.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYSiFUqb1VsR6vLs4jc8v3NMqFcAR-AKe1T6wKqdX4spn6CmBCVL3Ai8cJNX_1cSNmkzDku20l4ErMKNZRxjjpkKn3ed1jxkvDeZxs4CZ1UQZGNi5CdXTnaNg-kzMFRqDlaKRrfss0s4/s320/PC040239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430816115263290658" border="0" /></a>The cake. Yumm. And the "canasta" which are gift/candy bags the teachers made for the kids.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCxIxsdKn_k94I7ObEwp5_eZjGe41S5aw6sAhshTFNqLWnSCG85dS6l_3S2FjTnaplQlrFX84Y0A6mE-sLgLYLsFS7jODrTYmv6i7S1sHSo5z54UlyjD-4B0pTVEJIRIXsz8TifxzjSU/s1600-h/PC040241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCxIxsdKn_k94I7ObEwp5_eZjGe41S5aw6sAhshTFNqLWnSCG85dS6l_3S2FjTnaplQlrFX84Y0A6mE-sLgLYLsFS7jODrTYmv6i7S1sHSo5z54UlyjD-4B0pTVEJIRIXsz8TifxzjSU/s320/PC040241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430820343034916018" border="0" /></a>My friend Daniel and I. He is engaged to a SALTER who came a few years ago. He is always helping around the daycare. It was a hot day...can you tell? :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MkST7lGjUue1phH1kTcw3BHSI-oYSfX2yB6Pz-gR-AFA6IPnnZ6CvQTx8REOZhRWEkjttXoLlzD7IGpj1WICU6zTIT4uurNLgqz3QpaNs5IGzUf5QudbLVIQmsTLmhLWTqZLmOdkD4Q/s1600-h/PC040242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MkST7lGjUue1phH1kTcw3BHSI-oYSfX2yB6Pz-gR-AFA6IPnnZ6CvQTx8REOZhRWEkjttXoLlzD7IGpj1WICU6zTIT4uurNLgqz3QpaNs5IGzUf5QudbLVIQmsTLmhLWTqZLmOdkD4Q/s320/PC040242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430823591669692738" border="0" /></a>We had pinata for every classroom. The baby pinata was full of candy, toys, and baby powder! At first Haylen cried because she was shocked when all the powder exploded all over her but she quickly got over it once she realized we were all laughing and helping her grab candy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASDgu3cQnvBv011F4qrvB7O4D7KCbDVWkoeKgQAalUUJSDvgFeJ-QN8Hx5QmQYPoulu7zXOG1OGSGY85Nx-p6Z2jkgnUlnHLpn5Xn_750d0M8iJmZSmL59sHAsEmEwgn09gGQrn-2ozw/s1600-h/PC040244.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASDgu3cQnvBv011F4qrvB7O4D7KCbDVWkoeKgQAalUUJSDvgFeJ-QN8Hx5QmQYPoulu7zXOG1OGSGY85Nx-p6Z2jkgnUlnHLpn5Xn_750d0M8iJmZSmL59sHAsEmEwgn09gGQrn-2ozw/s320/PC040244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430830428698852514" border="0" /></a>Smile! Everything is all good.<br /><br /><br /></div>Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-72746155872806971182010-01-19T08:06:00.000-08:002010-01-20T11:04:50.954-08:00Thank You, NaThis blog is dedicated to posting amazing, beautiful pictures that my good friend, Nadia, found. I also want to post these pictures not just because they are so vibrant but because they are really good shots of what the other half of the country is like. A history, peoples and cultures that I have always been drawn and intrigued by but unfortunately, am not working with or interacting with in Santa Cruz.<br /><br />Note: I did not take these pictures (I don't have that kind of picture taking talent) and much of the information is a summary of their captions (and maybe some of my own input).<br /><br />Website: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/02/bolivia_and_its_new_constituti.html<br /><br />You can visit this website above to read the descriptions in more detail and to look at more gorgeous pictures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhe3BYAdQN9h1XHAXStJbb7u1Dv8PWXo76rOyxAlkhpiCwwWbrVFGO2H-xC9266i1MumQtJV7HQEkhvW8v1SG81DerchQ8aOdMkWeirwgtCkKDJ9jI2DHDc9BO4MVsfIYTeHYNPmV8mE/s1600-h/Andean+Flag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhe3BYAdQN9h1XHAXStJbb7u1Dv8PWXo76rOyxAlkhpiCwwWbrVFGO2H-xC9266i1MumQtJV7HQEkhvW8v1SG81DerchQ8aOdMkWeirwgtCkKDJ9jI2DHDc9BO4MVsfIYTeHYNPmV8mE/s320/Andean+Flag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428483592069429922" border="0" /></a>Indigenous Flag. One can see this waving around all over in La Paz. But I have yet to see one hung up in Santa Cruz.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX0BP9sr2SEWrhUBaUYNJzX1a9fQAAVsdUWNrvsdYIlme7897DFojSEyxXjUsGlOl0-OVvtK_fCQS0Tx4teiw0esFXv7F_Q8IImh4kzJAJync7QfJGouY-po7PNg_ELfdi74xvde-6U8/s1600-h/Coca.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX0BP9sr2SEWrhUBaUYNJzX1a9fQAAVsdUWNrvsdYIlme7897DFojSEyxXjUsGlOl0-OVvtK_fCQS0Tx4teiw0esFXv7F_Q8IImh4kzJAJync7QfJGouY-po7PNg_ELfdi74xvde-6U8/s320/Coca.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428875162203196002" border="0" /></a>This man is a coca farmer. He is spreading leaves out to be dried by the sun. During the Bush administration, the US Drug Enforcement Administration requested to fly anti-narcotic missions over Bolivia. Evo Morales, Bolivia's president, rejected the request and as a result, the US suspended trade preferences (http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/02/bolivia_and_its_new_constituti.html). If you are interested in learning more about the conflict invovled with this plant, email me because I can send you a paper I wrote for Plants and Peoples about it.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlROjKnntGgFSquyFnbmOu9RGo6Lz0WRmVUSleypddHfesFFrRqOfoddf13s_yQCJWRlJxPY-b325_htrKaV18Yefw-CPKimeWW5jRSs5DPmpIAqR0slXrY_BmS2R8g2Q8_Q6XTbKAKMQ/s1600-h/Evo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlROjKnntGgFSquyFnbmOu9RGo6Lz0WRmVUSleypddHfesFFrRqOfoddf13s_yQCJWRlJxPY-b325_htrKaV18Yefw-CPKimeWW5jRSs5DPmpIAqR0slXrY_BmS2R8g2Q8_Q6XTbKAKMQ/s320/Evo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428882952359218290" border="0" /></a>The man in the middle handing out copies of the Bolivia's new constitution (2008) is the president of Bolivia, Evo Morales. He just got re-elected for his second term as president this past December. I had the privilege of going to a rally/demonstration of his when he visited Plan 3000 during his campaign and saw him in person.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA8aynjHnYtPwYjdZk21QNN_cXVHg75XqtGcbHtpegwg8LW9Vx46L48TjunDQOqBNHJjGxEQI6OxXFckAVPppt_tYZv4KdU5yo-HR-6tk6MgAGE0_2VdJED7PtKzOjSKrPuQamMf0L1Q/s1600-h/Indigenous+Women+walk+along+highway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA8aynjHnYtPwYjdZk21QNN_cXVHg75XqtGcbHtpegwg8LW9Vx46L48TjunDQOqBNHJjGxEQI6OxXFckAVPppt_tYZv4KdU5yo-HR-6tk6MgAGE0_2VdJED7PtKzOjSKrPuQamMf0L1Q/s320/Indigenous+Women+walk+along+highway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428884023735335570" border="0" /></a>Indigenous woman walking along the highway. They wear very vibrant colors which is a regular part of their dress.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCEjQ3eL8p_MwtGd1naFoEwSSRkuhx8ak8f7rTsGta1JmEc-NFx9hmSQdZ7bGwTKQSIK2Mq1fM_Nv88A-SLdX5XmU7MBjObIWbovuVPycvXGZDxtjjCDjuxsot9JzFVSHWIXEfJpR0_s/s1600-h/Golf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCEjQ3eL8p_MwtGd1naFoEwSSRkuhx8ak8f7rTsGta1JmEc-NFx9hmSQdZ7bGwTKQSIK2Mq1fM_Nv88A-SLdX5XmU7MBjObIWbovuVPycvXGZDxtjjCDjuxsot9JzFVSHWIXEfJpR0_s/s320/Golf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428884824898180530" border="0" /></a> Not much to say but loving this picture of this Aymara indigenous woman.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWNMH4GBvwmwDq85mmCk_3OsOb41p9EABHt5U-W2UQkQgusKTKE0as5nR0stv6p1I1KbrytrTwPugNm0n_1f9THETS6bNO2zfQVu-xgPKXnMjv343eoM96Cse13eZGeK-56OWBWO09YU/s1600-h/Res+from+El+Alto.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWNMH4GBvwmwDq85mmCk_3OsOb41p9EABHt5U-W2UQkQgusKTKE0as5nR0stv6p1I1KbrytrTwPugNm0n_1f9THETS6bNO2zfQVu-xgPKXnMjv343eoM96Cse13eZGeK-56OWBWO09YU/s320/Res+from+El+Alto.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428885990516572866" border="0" /></a>These are inhabits from El Alto watching people march in La Paz. El Alto is a city that sits right above La Paz. The majority of the population of El Alto are Aymara.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNwqbJCPsMK_81y4ZXdykKmbl36KhWPzCyXmsm1K6SkPJfDJ2MAoJVDHTcH4Fe0kwqLoUEOLmv6oAyZ2MkJLzKJ3pvBu_ZEbzLWNIxkOltbbdSI2wqAuSLB-Y5h1TQq2BcAC0lNvg2Ds/s1600-h/casting+vote.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNwqbJCPsMK_81y4ZXdykKmbl36KhWPzCyXmsm1K6SkPJfDJ2MAoJVDHTcH4Fe0kwqLoUEOLmv6oAyZ2MkJLzKJ3pvBu_ZEbzLWNIxkOltbbdSI2wqAuSLB-Y5h1TQq2BcAC0lNvg2Ds/s320/casting+vote.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428889418995989666" border="0" /></a>This Aymara woman is voting in a school located in the campo.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnKzQ7Ai85lQL4CfVtmlqGDT27lL1sRg3QYnlfSp4eoAJMcUQCwTcLBLrvAMB5_nkR2PwwYCGgqmQw-atc3-qf3RPJx4HCwcxTk1eRub5UiXzMTSJ9iBFflZzUmD5oQcNHvYgj_wwhhI/s1600-h/Vicuna.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnKzQ7Ai85lQL4CfVtmlqGDT27lL1sRg3QYnlfSp4eoAJMcUQCwTcLBLrvAMB5_nkR2PwwYCGgqmQw-atc3-qf3RPJx4HCwcxTk1eRub5UiXzMTSJ9iBFflZzUmD5oQcNHvYgj_wwhhI/s320/Vicuna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428891930242913794" border="0" /></a>Women shearing a <span class="def">vicuña in an Andean village.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O_rtvcb4NAVKfUEyOh5g0mxVBYdnuEhg3f32rHn-NFdww00D6fyMz7N9xw6uI_ZWBbT22ZVBkOEc1n6pYOw1CyxR2cgsHFRMmHTjbblZDlHQMe4_MY5Akj8gutk5EiAfIXdtwxTd2mY/s1600-h/Supporter+of+Evo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O_rtvcb4NAVKfUEyOh5g0mxVBYdnuEhg3f32rHn-NFdww00D6fyMz7N9xw6uI_ZWBbT22ZVBkOEc1n6pYOw1CyxR2cgsHFRMmHTjbblZDlHQMe4_MY5Akj8gutk5EiAfIXdtwxTd2mY/s320/Supporter+of+Evo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428893956384483042" border="0" /></a>Supporter of Evo Morales marching toward La Paz.<br /></div>Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-62874853630675078562010-01-15T06:33:00.000-08:002010-01-25T14:42:14.586-08:00Quest to get back to S. 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margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:ES-TRAD;} span.headword {mso-style-name:head_word; mso-style-unhide:no;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">In most people’s life, one often desires an adventure. <span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span>We four friends, who traveled to La Paz for a three-day stay, thought we were sadly ending our journey one Wednesday night when scheduled to travel back to Santa Cruz. Little did we know that we were embarking on another adventure, an unforeseen quest to get home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p face="georgia" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">We spent our last day in La Paz doing last minute shopping and picture taking. At 4pm we finally stop to eat a restaurant before we leave on our 530pm bus. Food came at 5pm (45 minutes late) and we were running out of there by 5:07pm feeling a little sick. After catching a taxi going the wrong direction, getting stuck in traffic, losing one of our bags full of gifts, a bible, books, and pictures, shedding some tears and chasing our bus down in El Alto, we finally boarded our bus.<span style=""> </span>We all breathed a sigh of relief and sit in our bus ready to start the journey back to Santa Cruz. Little did we know that was just the beginning of our adventure.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="">At about 1:30am that night, one of the drivers comes upstairs to the second floor of the bus, and announces in a meek voice that there had been mudslides and that we are not permitted to pass.<span style=""> </span>Ignoring one passenger’s question of “what are we going to do?,” he retreats back to the cockpit and turns off the bus. We sit there until we are awoken the next morning by vendors outside selling breakfast, beans and fried fish, to the passengers of our bus and all of the other passengers of competing bus lines.<span style=""> </span>Realizing we had not moved at all during the night, we ask one of our seat neighbors what is our current location.<span style=""> </span>She replies that she is unsure but that we are just outside of Cochabamba about ten hours away from Santa Cruz.<span style=""> </span>Sigh. After accepting the fact that we were not going to get into Santa Cruz by 9am as originally planned, we get off the bus to stretch, take a potty break in a nearby field, and buy some food and water.<span style=""> </span>Other activities that morning included running away from a moving tractor trailer, jumping on a moving bus, screaming ”this is a conspiracy!”,and standing by watching other passengers exchanged not so friendly words with the drivers.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Finally, at 9:30am, we are allowed to pass through. We stopped for lunch at a pensi<span class="headword">ó</span>n and at another time for a drug search. A few hours later when we saw a sign that read, “30 km Santa Cruz”, we all thought at that point that nothing could go wrong. Then the dreadful bus stop and once again one of the drivers came upstairs and announced once again in his meek voice that there is a political blockade and that we are stuck in a jam. So there we were once again…stuck. At this point, we decided to be proactive and after an hour of waiting, we got off the bus with all of our baggage and joined the throngs walking to find taxis on the other side of the blockade. We made friends along the 45-minute walk. We saw that we had made a good decision after seeing the hundreds of cars, trucks, micros that were stuck, some since 3pm. We make it back to CCM at around 730pm. After 26 hours of traveling, the lesson learned was it is wise to fly during rainy season and that patience truly is a virtue. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;"></p>
<br />Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-69653382489472670802010-01-09T08:55:00.000-08:002010-01-25T13:35:16.860-08:00A Theology of LiberationAs I have worked and experienced life here in Latin America, I have come across many different worldviews and theologies. Many are very different from mine but I have learned that no one truly has the right answer. The only answers. In the end...theologies are created to help us interpret our context and that will often influence how we receive and understand Scripture.<br /><div id="Headserp" class="Headserp"><h1 id="query_h1" class="query_h1"><span style="font-size:85%;">Theology-defined by dictionary.com</span><br /></h1></div><div id="rpane"><div><div class="sep_top shd_hdr pb7"><div class="KonaBody"><div class="lunatext results_content"><div class="luna-Ent"><div class="body"><div class="pbk"><span class="secondary-bf"></span> <table class="luna-Ent"> <tbody><tr> <td class="dnindex" width="35">1.</td> <td>the field of study and analysis that treats of God and of God's attributes and relations to the universe; study of divine things or religious truth; divinity.</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table class="luna-Ent"> <tbody><tr> <td class="dnindex" width="35">2.</td> <td>a particular form, system, branch, or course of this study</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />Interesting. These two definitions doesnt mean much to me. I also at times hate theology. Because although it is helpful because it is human interpretation of Scripture, it can also cause divisions among the body of Christ.<br />I always find it interesting when people believe they have the perfect or the RIGHT theology. Isnt is human interpretation? Arent we imperfect beings? So how can our theology be completely right or flawless? That is not to say there isnt any bad theology out here. And I do believe there are things that are not up for debate within the Christian religion.<br />1. Jesus death liberates us from sin<br />2. Jesus-Son of God, Son of man<br />3. God loves us unconditionally and we live in grace<br />But things such as drinking, dancing, hell, baptism, etc etc etc, I personally don't think we have to have the exact right answers. But then again...perhaps that is my theology :)<br />I have been reading about liberation theology lately since it is a theology quite popular in Latin America (although not one I encounter on a daily basis here in Santa Cruz). Gustavo Gutierrez is considered the father of liberation theology. He is a native of Peru and he lives and works in Rimac a Lima slum.<br />There was something I read that struck me and I think is good food for thought. The following is found in a section called, Christ the Liberator.<br /><br />He writes, "But in the liberation approach sin is not considered as an individual, private, or merely interior reality--asserted just enough to necessitate "spiritual" redemption which does not challenge the order in which we live. Sin is regarded as a social, historical fact, the absence of fellowship and love in relationships among persons, the breach of friendship with God and with other persons, and, therefore, an interior, personal fracture. When it is considered in this way, the collective dimensions of sin are rediscovered" (Gutierrez, p. 103).<br /><br />He continues with...<br /><br />"This radical liberation is the gift which Christ offers us. By his death and resurrection he redeems us from sin and all its consequences, as has been well said in a text we quote again: 'It is the same God who, in the fullness of time, sends his Son in the flesh, so that he might come to liberate all men from all slavery to which sin has subjected them: hunger, misery, oppression, and ignorance, in a word, that injustice and hatred which have their own origin in human selfishness.' This is why the Christian life is a passover, a transition from sin to grace, from death to life, from injustice to justice, from the subhuman to the human. Christ introduces us by the gift of his Spirit into communion with God and with all human beings. More precisely, it is because he introduces us into this communion, into a continuous search for its fullness, that he conquers sin--which is the negation of love--and all its consequences" (Gutierrez, p. 103).<br /><br />Pretty incredible. Thoughts?Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-85339453214345642532010-01-03T08:31:00.000-08:002010-01-09T08:54:05.779-08:00New Years Reflection Part 2<div> </div>Wednesday<div> </div><br /><div>This morning we got the privilege of meeting Allyn´s sister Jenny. So while Allyn worked, Josh and I went out the breakfast with Jenny. There we drank coffee and chatted about random things...mostly about Messiah and Whitworth. Afterward we travel back to MCC through the rain and meet up with Allyn to go over my family´s for lunch. We were suppose to be there by 12pm and we all show up at 130pm and they just finished cooking lunch. Gots to love Bolivian time. </div><br /><div>Lunch was absolutely delicious. We had steak and chicken that was made on a charcoal grill and it was accompanied with arroz con queso, vegetables, and wine! During lunch I ask my host mom, Juana, if it would be possible for her to look through my hair for lice. She said<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiSpZqB10fB_iak7LmM0McDDB1Cyac3WmVs6x-Oggz7FfT4py65hzpxTiO3pOe_canws1gRzInz0oAsSK3zuL7OzemfGMqV5rkvXMsFXHK7JQymb0TFw0pHFYzbgYT49BQcmeSm25yYA/s1600-h/Lice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiSpZqB10fB_iak7LmM0McDDB1Cyac3WmVs6x-Oggz7FfT4py65hzpxTiO3pOe_canws1gRzInz0oAsSK3zuL7OzemfGMqV5rkvXMsFXHK7JQymb0TFw0pHFYzbgYT49BQcmeSm25yYA/s320/Lice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424782337505006546" border="0" /></a> of course and Josh then said...you dont trust me?! Because he had looked through my hair that morning and hadnt seen anything. But I wanted to make sure because for the last couple of weeks my head had been itching like crazy! So after lunch, she calls me over and I sit beside her and she and her daughter start picking through my hair. And what do you know! It is full of lice and lice eggs. Thats what I get for sleeping with the precious kids at the guarderia. Juana told me I should stop sleeping with them but I refuse. Its my favorite time of day when everyone is relaxing and all the teachers and kids just plop themselves on the little mattresses. And I love naps.</div><br /><div>So then Juana shows Josh how to identify lice and he starts picking as well. So by the end of the day he became an expert lice picker so now I will definitely trust his verdict when he says I do or dont have lice. Josh then shampoos my hair for me with lice shampoo (I have the greatest boyfriend) and we head on over to Vicky and Juana´s house.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw2jJueNiw6FQm3qmhRNiEPBdR1aG4vhyphenhyphenKDwlNtRYDnbkOeNH4Nxs9TaEr-3yx_UEC8Ly6kt85ty9i9yPhiOzQVt-Ufr5trnPzTPTwbhQCUNkOVdPuLtClyjwYILSbiVCnL_PRtQOW_s/s1600-h/josh+with+host+family.jpg"><br /></a><div>Vicky is one of my coworkers. She is the head chef in the kitchen and her sister, Juana, works at MCC and is also pastoring a church in the campo. They are lovely ladies. They are a large family that live altogether in their comfortable home. We arrive about 30 minutes late but they are not quite done making tecito so that was okay. So we chatted for a while and then drank coffee with a donuty thing that Vicky <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx6qOqZd5uu7KEiJ6F2SFx039CJhEw45UAclY_a9_QHuaWLfZRlMGKOs5BxQeJ652FPfsCVv9aNyt-yUkxt8IJ9TILo6Lyl7ivZD-5wLG7zkr_5gwU6QSqqUJXT4CD-OCZyZHB621kuI/s1600-h/josh+with+coworkers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggx6qOqZd5uu7KEiJ6F2SFx039CJhEw45UAclY_a9_QHuaWLfZRlMGKOs5BxQeJ652FPfsCVv9aNyt-yUkxt8IJ9TILo6Lyl7ivZD-5wLG7zkr_5gwU6QSqqUJXT4CD-OCZyZHB621kuI/s320/josh+with+coworkers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424783235497236546" border="0" /></a>always makes at the guarderia. She also makes this sweet syrup to drizzle over it. So that was nice for Josh because he was then able to try a type of food we eat a lot with the kids. I asked them to join us for a walk to the guaderia which is a little ways done the street. So we all walked to the guarderia and the entire time they were giggling at Josh because he was such a cute gringo who was trying so hard to speak spanish. Its incredible how Josh can get even middle age women to giggle at him. I guess its a gift!</div><br /><div>So we arrive at the old guarderia and we meet up with Aida who is the casero there with her family and also the kindergarden teacher. They all proceed to make fun of my lice infested hair. It was pretty entertainting but got me a little anxious because later that night I actually go to Hipermaxi (a huge chain in S. Cruz that I hate because it is under Walmart) to buy a lice comb. </div><br /><div>So after we took some pictures of the old guarderia, and I think Josh was pretty shock, we walk over to the construction site of the new one! It looks absolutely gorgeous. Josh and I just stood there gazing at it. It gives me goosebumps and brings a smile to my face every time I would visit it which was about once a week with my boss. As Juana put it, its incredible and a blessing to see a dream turn into reality.</div><br /><div>We part our ways afterwards and after buying my lice comb we head over to MCC where Josh brushed through every strand of hair to remove the remaining lice. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Thursday</div><br />Last day for Josh in Bolivia :( There was a definite somber mood to the day but we tried to do everything we could to savor the last few hours.<br />In the morning Josh and I went over to my coordinator's home for breakfast with Allyn and her sister, Jenny. There we met up with the lovely Longenecker family and ate some pancakes with fruit and coffee. It was a really fun time. We talked about the different colleges/universities we all graduated from, soccer, and explained to Lynn and Laurie the Twilig<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAdCCM4mwFcbcaFEIyWqb_Fhk1T_GmcnYnSnO8mNUCrP8cSf-QEWJD_AKSstTUqqAX2rt0LUiQXNX9Y9RMMjIncxBXJ4Sj1nmsKsEpNfX-_8alx-AF9msb7esFr5SndQ5J_yZpbZqLEw/s1600-h/kittens.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAdCCM4mwFcbcaFEIyWqb_Fhk1T_GmcnYnSnO8mNUCrP8cSf-QEWJD_AKSstTUqqAX2rt0LUiQXNX9Y9RMMjIncxBXJ4Sj1nmsKsEpNfX-_8alx-AF9msb7esFr5SndQ5J_yZpbZqLEw/s320/kittens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424782581236918834" border="0" /></a>ht phenomenon.<br />Jesse, the youngest Longenecker (age 3) showed Josh his tree house and tools. We also got to see there 10 kittens. Yes...10! Can you imagine? They adopted two cats and both of their cats got pregnant at the same time. Each cat had 5 kittens. The cats insist on being in the same small box together with all of their babies...and they even nurse each others kittens.<br /><br />After leaving Laurie's we meet up with my boss, Yuneth and her husband, Ramiro. That was quite interesting. My boss is very lovey dovey (in a precious way) with her husband and they have been married 7 years. Ramiro is also very goofy and loves just throwing out the jokes one after another. When you are with them...you just have to roll with the punches and its always a good time! We went to a Brazilian buffet and that was so so fun. Then when we were driving back to MCC, Ramiro stops the car, pulls over, and parks in front of flower shops. Then he tells Josh to get out of the car. They both come back 5 minutes later, each with a rose in hand behind their backs. Out of control. I loved it...even though it was so cheesy. We get back to MCC and they insist on taking couple pictures posing with the flowers. It was so much fun and we were all laughing a lot.<br /><br />In the afternoon Josh and I went to a pub to have a couple of drinks and reflect on his time here. It was so fast but we were both so grateful that he was able to come at all. The best part is that he is able to see my context and understands so much better my struggles and joys working at the daycare. It was truly a blessing he was able to make it here and spend a week with me even if it was just a short week.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwcqqz1B8KjdvdWOx3idvFijkEVtn_e1QXP52erCWhSjiA0IMKX0M_QC3YAfmK9wM_ofcdPF-2JhtlM3INdSgPwWnslo5fu9pYyNT0iy7jh2I30h4mXrjnL-QglskCPadg7Xa4q4Eq8Y/s1600-h/josh+with+gifts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwcqqz1B8KjdvdWOx3idvFijkEVtn_e1QXP52erCWhSjiA0IMKX0M_QC3YAfmK9wM_ofcdPF-2JhtlM3INdSgPwWnslo5fu9pYyNT0iy7jh2I30h4mXrjnL-QglskCPadg7Xa4q4Eq8Y/s320/josh+with+gifts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424783679097026514" border="0" /></a><br />Later that night, we meet up with my family to have dinner together and have one final goodbye. W<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw2jJueNiw6FQm3qmhRNiEPBdR1aG4vhyphenhyphenKDwlNtRYDnbkOeNH4Nxs9TaEr-3yx_UEC8Ly6kt85ty9i9yPhiOzQVt-Ufr5trnPzTPTwbhQCUNkOVdPuLtClyjwYILSbiVCnL_PRtQOW_s/s1600-h/josh+with+host+family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw2jJueNiw6FQm3qmhRNiEPBdR1aG4vhyphenhyphenKDwlNtRYDnbkOeNH4Nxs9TaEr-3yx_UEC8Ly6kt85ty9i9yPhiOzQVt-Ufr5trnPzTPTwbhQCUNkOVdPuLtClyjwYILSbiVCnL_PRtQOW_s/s320/josh+with+host+family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424784166748161362" border="0" /></a>e ended up eating in Fidalga, one of the local supermarkets. The food was terrible but the company was great. They ended up getting Josh going away gifts. That was precious and I am pretty sure I saw some tears in his eyes!<br /><br />The night then comes to an end and I have to take him to the airport. I remember hugging him tight knowing that I will be hugging him again in 7 months. I know we will be able to make it through and I am excited to see how our relationship changes and matures through the process!<br /><br />More to come on La Paz... :)<br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-2957977865793093052010-01-02T09:11:00.000-08:002010-01-02T10:54:09.304-08:00New Years ReflectionHappy New Year from Santa Cruz, Bolivia!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3HdJcAao9FqjYP9OGMsM9iNgM7AY4iNHhm-gYZKBTltHqJk_CSX3_dhlGwimyiMW1-TuXXZ5xJ78epOhW7zPyzfKBjk-YUK-m9C33V6ZwwoT6l7Ajo0ZxoPLy-L14B8FQ9y2zCl6z-o/s1600-h/cathedral.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3HdJcAao9FqjYP9OGMsM9iNgM7AY4iNHhm-gYZKBTltHqJk_CSX3_dhlGwimyiMW1-TuXXZ5xJ78epOhW7zPyzfKBjk-YUK-m9C33V6ZwwoT6l7Ajo0ZxoPLy-L14B8FQ9y2zCl6z-o/s320/cathedral.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422213074876900834" border="0" /></a><br />I have never been big into resolutions but this year I decided to try it out and make the resolution of updating this blog at least once a week :)<br />As this year came to a close I reflected a lot on my time in Bolivia which has been four months. I arrived in Bolivia unsure. Unsure of who I was, what I was about to do in Bolivia, and whether or not I would survive the year! Now I feel more comfortable with my environment, myself, my position at the guarderia. But its so much harder be away from home than I ever expected. I cannot honestly say that I am ENJOYING my time in Bolivia but I have grown to love a lot of people here, both Bolivians and international volunteers. There are still times that I feel incredibly lonely...and those are expected but I know that they are temporary.<br />I have found that it is easy to get stuck in a routine...forgetting to acknowledge and celebrate the little things in life that bring joy and hope. My prayer is that I do that each and every day this year in Bolivia and when I come home in July!<br /><br />Anyway, back to visits. We all had so so so much fun here in Bolivia. My parents came the 19th of December and stayed until the night of the 25th and Josh arrived the night of the 24th and left the night of the 31st. I took my family and Josh to Cochabamba two seperate times so I have become quite the expert. The following is what Josh and I did while he was here.<br /><br />Thursday night<br /><br />I arrive at the airport around 11:30pm and join the massive groups of people patiently waiting for the passengers of AA Miami come out. It was beautiful to watch people hug, kiss, cry, and just be so excited to spend Christmas with their loved one. I stood there watching everyone else receive their visitor until I was pretty much the only one left! Then a couple of crewmembers came out and informed me that Josh was getting his visa and was coming out very soon! Apparently, he was afraid I would leave him behind so he asked them to tell me he was on his way :)<br />He finally comes out and we grab our taxi to go back to the Plan where my family is celebrating with my host family. It takes about an hour to get there so we got to catch up. It was so surreal!<br />Josh was taken back by the reckless driving, random dirt mounds, and patternless roads. First impressions of Santa Cruz.<br />Later that night we all travel back to MCC and Josh gives me my Christmas presents...rice krispies, beautiful earrings, cards from his family.<br /><br />Friday<br /><br />Christmas morning we all went out, family and Josh, to breakfast at my fathers favorite place in the whole world. One could get toast, lomito (steak), eggs, fruit salad, hash browns, coffee for about $4.50. Then we just relaxed for a bit and then went off to cine center which is really a huge mall-like movie theater to watch Avatar. Cine center is air-conditioned, always crowded, and is full of shops, restuarants, and theathers. We all loved the movie except for my mom. She didnt like the tails apparently? Who knows.<br />We came back, rested, and then the family went off to the airport. It was sad saying goodbye even though I know I will see them again before I know it.<br /><br />Saturday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH59w_6HgOifgK0hwTVHSNaNHuR76p_WQPi-4C0jH6OrQCu1ARolrLh_BKxYM4pzd-FzpDnI_TF_VHzWp0ORrURzI_IGhyphenhyphenSLp1XUJRDmb5cUAfaJi1BowWQV6qowN_EwiSmFNPiiO9STc/s1600-h/cafe+24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH59w_6HgOifgK0hwTVHSNaNHuR76p_WQPi-4C0jH6OrQCu1ARolrLh_BKxYM4pzd-FzpDnI_TF_VHzWp0ORrURzI_IGhyphenhyphenSLp1XUJRDmb5cUAfaJi1BowWQV6qowN_EwiSmFNPiiO9STc/s320/cafe+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422216360788448034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Josh and I ate breakfast by this little coffee shop right by the cathedral in the central plaza. It was a nice atmosphere, not the best coffee, and they were playing Michael Jackson music. Allyn came by so she was able to meet Josh. We all then went to 7 calles market so Allyn could buy paint. 7 calles is a market that is more for higher class, higher socioeconomic status Bolivians. It was the first time I had ever been there. Everyone there was definitely dressed to impress.<br />Then in the afternoon we cruised around Santa Cruz with Leo. Leo is a guy that graduated with me from Messiah and his family is from Santa Cruz. That was a complete cross-cultural experience for all of us as Allyn and I got to see a part of Santa Cruz that we never interact with.<br />That night, Josh, Ally<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKepCxaxU3gcmH_ZChTWtjFEqJlU_4bYQKP3eYRdZ0CKi-x3SfWc-gUL16zxnok1Io2yMuPu4QgkF_pf-q4PDE5izLVHXWeeEd8J6xIh7FX5Rrz1zRKgf8IWLw3EfqknwuGEFam0Ox5GY/s1600-h/Wedding.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKepCxaxU3gcmH_ZChTWtjFEqJlU_4bYQKP3eYRdZ0CKi-x3SfWc-gUL16zxnok1Io2yMuPu4QgkF_pf-q4PDE5izLVHXWeeEd8J6xIh7FX5Rrz1zRKgf8IWLw3EfqknwuGEFam0Ox5GY/s320/Wedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422212733990807218" border="0" /></a>n, and I all pile in the back of one of the MCC cars to go to my church for mass and a festival. This was one of the first times Josh has ever been to a Catholic church. And it was quite the mass. Lets just say there was a wedding going on that we got pictures of even though I have never seen the bride or groom before in my life. And the Father said something about boobies?<br />After mass, we all gathered outside for the festival. The environment kind of felt like a middle school dance as everyone just stood around awkwardly waiting. Finally dance performances started it was precious. Well it was precious up until the drunk guy showed up dancing in the middle of everyone. It was entertaining and heartbreaking at the same time. Finally Mauricio took him out of the dance floor and had him sit against the wall.<br />Afterwards we came back to MCC and Josh drank yerba for the first time which he loved. Yay for a successful Christmas present!<br /><br />Sunday<br /><br />We wake up early to try and get day bus tickets to Cochabamba and we failed because someone caught right in front of us when we reached the desk and bought the last two tickets. There is no sense of waiting respectfully in line for anything in Bolivia.<br />So we settle for night tickets and go out with Allyn for breakfast. Then we went to an artisans market by the cathedral called manzana 1. Afterwards we nap and then go to the Plan to drop off my clothes and visit with the host family. Josh tries coca tea for the first time! It seems like he enjoyed it. We then go by Allyns house on the way to MCC and there he meets her host parents. Her host father, Ignacio, teaches Josh how men greet each other in S. Cruz which involves a stomach pat. And Charro is giggling at him the whole time saying how cute we are together. Typical day at Allyn's house.<br />We then rush out to grab a micro back to MCC. We are suppose to be at the bus station by 730pm and its almost 7pm by the time we get out. Normally its a 20-25 minute commute but there was a carnival in Parque Urbano so therefore traffic was at a standstill! So Josh and I pull an Amazing Race move and jump of the bus running towards the nearest taxi that is not stuck in traffic. Luckily we make it to the bus station even though Josh had his doubts :P<br />Lets just say the bus consisted of no air ventilation, a little girl kicking the back of Josh's seat, and a man playing music loudly on his phone. No concept of headphones.<br /><br />Monday<br /><br />We arrive in Cochabamba and eat breakfast roadside by the terminal under a tarp. We had pastel, milk with coffee, and api. It was delicious in my opinion. Then we took our things to the hostal and rested. After we nappe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixbdnHpiZt_F4Fm62XcbImVEBsEUwK5i5I5wulk33fG935O0eMj8zQXXDiFqq27e05XLOyY5boqQ7RkGmv5LNx3hC_4dk4U0dkCbSDZ6mRG3g3UzgkcJNBuPjj16z1Lr9v5tEFMOVcwo/s1600-h/cochabamba.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixbdnHpiZt_F4Fm62XcbImVEBsEUwK5i5I5wulk33fG935O0eMj8zQXXDiFqq27e05XLOyY5boqQ7RkGmv5LNx3hC_4dk4U0dkCbSDZ6mRG3g3UzgkcJNBuPjj16z1Lr9v5tEFMOVcwo/s320/cochabamba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422217401410329538" border="0" /></a>d we went to the market, La Cancha, to look around, buy gifts for Josh's family. We then we to Dumbos for ice cream and bought popcorn off the street. Two great snacks. We ate our popcorn sitting in a plaza right by the convent. Josh refused to go in because I think it kind of creeped him out. Very different from my church in the Plan, the nuns of this convent do not associate/interact with the public.<br />That night we went to Casa de Campo for dinner. A fun atmosphere.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYOMdY2BEUiJr7xm-t0blDSrmzWMcmnl-9rR-HsUH-LvHiuX87orJxxHY4RSsIQaaRSb3fzWulrFBFk711dlSuEjca9JEtMm24fQkXcDnypeo3Xmsub5aWwWRIt6xpaknBU-rk-eJzPs/s1600-h/Lift.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYOMdY2BEUiJr7xm-t0blDSrmzWMcmnl-9rR-HsUH-LvHiuX87orJxxHY4RSsIQaaRSb3fzWulrFBFk711dlSuEjca9JEtMm24fQkXcDnypeo3Xmsub5aWwWRIt6xpaknBU-rk-eJzPs/s320/Lift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422215674027245730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tuesday<br /><br />This day Josh and I leave our bags at the terminal, checked out of hostal, and bought night tickets. We eat breakfast at Dumbos and then we went to El Cristo! We walked to the park where we took a lift. I know we werent daring enough to climb. The following were our excuses. 1. It looked like it was going to storm.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTG4Cr3pHvuUHHPNZOuRcJrDygXxJ3iV-fe8G-sYDRRZZ6zjk_XqqmRYpS8G4eJOQGGpikXzRthzVs6XUPacAkfoXSLcSzp53W3ZBrZFiRuA3rtMtBZknttmHQyku1VHPLSDBq7MCwGU/s1600-h/El+cristo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTG4Cr3pHvuUHHPNZOuRcJrDygXxJ3iV-fe8G-sYDRRZZ6zjk_XqqmRYpS8G4eJOQGGpikXzRthzVs6XUPacAkfoXSLcSzp53W3ZBrZFiRuA3rtMtBZknttmHQyku1VHPLSDBq7MCwGU/s320/El+cristo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422215409850558882" border="0" /></a><br />2. The lift is fun<br />3. I have already walked up<br />4. There are a number of peopel who get robbed on the way up<br />So we were being a safe as possible :)<br />We then walked to a plaza where we ate popcorn and watched people feed pigeons. There were hundreds of pigeosn in the park and we were waiting for the being who were sitting under a tree full of pigeons to get pooped on. It didnt happen but we were really entertained watching people feed and the different techniques as to how they feed the birds. Finally we gave in and bought grain to feed the pigeons as well. It was really fun. We go to out to dinner one last time in Cochabamba and then headed to the terminal. There we almost missed our bus because it was loading in the back. To say the least we were very frustrated but happy we didnt miss it!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE6dl5Np1l5ZNdpU5sSGwjHQ2k4iuTelQsr31qh2FOlJvFB0eOTMNf_Ux1NbL2cbfSgLngas2jvRgrr7yB0i9Awi9Rc97caUQadME9gqWQ3y31MBXj4NV6m1VMS7xvc-QXUIIS8aiwi8/s1600-h/josh+and+i+in+lift.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE6dl5Np1l5ZNdpU5sSGwjHQ2k4iuTelQsr31qh2FOlJvFB0eOTMNf_Ux1NbL2cbfSgLngas2jvRgrr7yB0i9Awi9Rc97caUQadME9gqWQ3y31MBXj4NV6m1VMS7xvc-QXUIIS8aiwi8/s320/josh+and+i+in+lift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422216663604094018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I am going to stop here and finish when I return from La Paz :) As you can see we had quite the adventure in Bolivia!Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-23293191918778010252009-12-23T19:52:00.000-08:002009-12-23T20:20:02.463-08:00Tecito at SamuelitoSome old pictures I have been meaning to post. Enjoy!<br /><br />Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBMUtwBBasa4xmIS-gYdF8LD0v1coNwTkNeEWY1SsZg4LuJpTGH6kgvroksg5Nyj-ArgdjT7PWAm4kqSvJoPWk119G6LBJ6FSOQ4Ff7ayRGPZX6NyojvuujYng5CVhJsQ-E7Go4OrOkg/s1600-h/PB160175.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBMUtwBBasa4xmIS-gYdF8LD0v1coNwTkNeEWY1SsZg4LuJpTGH6kgvroksg5Nyj-ArgdjT7PWAm4kqSvJoPWk119G6LBJ6FSOQ4Ff7ayRGPZX6NyojvuujYng5CVhJsQ-E7Go4OrOkg/s320/PB160175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418646632073266194" border="0" /></a><br />Sisters, Bianka and Alison, enjoying their afternoon tea and conversation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5lqt3KjbZFm-mNwTVatQ0WAx552XSXk2-C0FN3eCTrV2CMsReS61_uFP2P26veKd1jllL8tmk_eLYXA7FvV6QK35EDggbhmARja5BRb4iFFgaoZX21Ze94Tty8vu-aL67C8-sGzN9Z4/s1600-h/PB160176.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5lqt3KjbZFm-mNwTVatQ0WAx552XSXk2-C0FN3eCTrV2CMsReS61_uFP2P26veKd1jllL8tmk_eLYXA7FvV6QK35EDggbhmARja5BRb4iFFgaoZX21Ze94Tty8vu-aL67C8-sGzN9Z4/s320/PB160176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418647796849743026" border="0" /></a><br />One of my favorites, Thiago. He is quite the rebel even with that precious face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjCvFlIk1eljZBKWkgIdBegbkn5L5jBBYze4jCejkKxkt53KAENZP-iyIur8yOQBckEuARuFdvtfStXrWtIhx5DWEcVKuWAGp0-6CRRU4FzuPbIeW7ln9CShRRPZePuot4EyATPM2Wg8/s1600-h/PB160179.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjCvFlIk1eljZBKWkgIdBegbkn5L5jBBYze4jCejkKxkt53KAENZP-iyIur8yOQBckEuARuFdvtfStXrWtIhx5DWEcVKuWAGp0-6CRRU4FzuPbIeW7ln9CShRRPZePuot4EyATPM2Wg8/s320/PB160179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418649530569122834" border="0" /></a><br />Valery peeking out from behind the boys.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvikfz8xxx3kDRwFe8pgTJWKN41QGZBgKk_B7wEawg2yJGCn4rQ2fiPMIKEudE25CNStDFCe1xNB2pROTbEyr3GmFQXBIHyEBySY3E9TEc37UW7HKCS7IOKj50_-JHYbsBGht1zWIgiGc/s1600-h/PB160186.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvikfz8xxx3kDRwFe8pgTJWKN41QGZBgKk_B7wEawg2yJGCn4rQ2fiPMIKEudE25CNStDFCe1xNB2pROTbEyr3GmFQXBIHyEBySY3E9TEc37UW7HKCS7IOKj50_-JHYbsBGht1zWIgiGc/s320/PB160186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418651446337558754" border="0" /></a><br />Emmanuel, Victor, Tania, and Juan laughing and playing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPHJ6I8DITMe-EhglARQMMVnycFukNJPXrHz62JrF8KvTz34ycOESz497Tn2kcOEajfnWq8c4GF783JScproBwuHjZGvJhnCztPpXGYgQvpwkrEqCrfJ4HHKMtuNFGKr9pJYC3mwQqzw/s1600-h/PB160190.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPHJ6I8DITMe-EhglARQMMVnycFukNJPXrHz62JrF8KvTz34ycOESz497Tn2kcOEajfnWq8c4GF783JScproBwuHjZGvJhnCztPpXGYgQvpwkrEqCrfJ4HHKMtuNFGKr9pJYC3mwQqzw/s320/PB160190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418652362145703506" border="0" /></a><br />Congratulations on graduating Kinder Class of 2009!Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-76158885224660107282009-12-01T14:56:00.000-08:002009-12-01T15:25:30.703-08:00A reflection... or rant...My intention has been to upload more pictures but that will have to wait until the weekend. I tried this past weekend but because it takes so long to upload sometime the website times out. Remember: Patience is a virtue.<br />One issue I have been processing recently is parenting. Yes, I realize I am not a parent (thank God...definitely not ready) but I work with a lot of kids and a lot of parents. I just got back from visiting a home today where the father of the family desires to be a good parent. But he had terrible examples growing up. Tears were about to roll down his face as he explained to us the broken relationship. It got me thinking...How many of us have issues because of our parents? I am not about to blame all problems an individual has on parents but we do live in a broken world...so there is no such thing as a perfect parent and we are bound to internalize the good and the bad of our parents. And here in my context...there are few examples of a good or maybe a better word...stable... parent...(well, i would say the same about US context just for different reasons) But I can say with confidence that the majority of parents want to improve and LOVE their kids. And many parents here are very very young which adds another factor. The couple I met with just now...the father is 31 and the mother is 24 and their oldest of four is 11. Another couple I know the mom is 28 and the father 33 (pretty sure about dads age) and they have 8 kids and their oldest is 15. So that is the situation of many families here. How can I help them as an unmarried, non-parent, recent college grad? Well, I can listen and be of a support and offer educated book advice. But I guess the best thing I can do is say I understand why they want to improve as parents and walk alongside them and just be there with them through the process. So even if our parents have made many mistakes....lets also remember the blessings. I know my position here has humbled me and has made me understand better the context that my parents came from. So thank you all you parents out there who honestly love your kids and want the best for them :) A verse I am reminded of is...<br /><br />Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!<br />-Isaiah 49:15<br /><br /><br />A good reminder that our savior, our sustainer, the lover of our soul is also our father and mother.<br /><br />So I encourage that we all leave the bad and remember the good of our parents. As our parents have/had to do with their parents. Let us have patience and remember that in the end...parents are who brought us into the world and gave us life.Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-4483512103470996242009-11-17T13:58:00.000-08:002009-11-17T14:24:11.317-08:00look at the clouds!Today I was sitting with one of the babies, Cesar, at the guarderia outside and he kept making noises at me to get my attention...mostly...ahh, aaaa, ehhh. Finally I looked over at him and he was pointing up, I looked up expecting to see a plane or birds (because he is always such a fan of watching those) but instead I see a beautiful big puffy white cloud. It was huge and gorgeous. Then I turned back to him and his face was still gazing at the cloud...pure joy were in his eyes. It was a lovely picture.<br /><br />I hate to admit it but today was a harder day for me. Just felt so so homesick. MCC orientation warned us that this month would probably be one of the hardest. I wouldnt say the hardest for me but it has been difficult. Knowing that people are gathering for the holidays...my family always have a thanksgiving breakfast that I absolutely love! Missing out on Josh´s family activities and seeing friends. But I am really just trying to keep going and finding joy in all places. I guess its just hard in S. Cruz since I dont really know where to go to be alone and reflect, transportation system isnt the best, we arent too encourage to be at MCC, and my host family hates it when they see me homesick...they just tell me to be strong. But enough complaining...<br /><br />People have been wandering what my weeks look like and although they vary a lot I will try to give a general breakdown.<br /><br />Monday-Friday<br /><br />6:15am. wake up. dress. drink orange juice. catch bus to work.<br /><br />7:30am. arrive at work. do whatever tasks are necessary. talk to the teachers, clean, receive the kids, talk to parents.<br /><br />9am-12pm. Visit family(ies). Write reports on computer. Go to bank. Go to construction sites. Show visitors around the guarderia. Play with kids. Eat lunch with kids (always soup and a second dish. always.)<br /><br />12pmish-2:30pmish. Nap with kids. A really great part of the day.<br /><br />2:30-5:30-6pmish. Visit family(ies). Write reports on computer. Go to bank. Go to construction sites. Comb hair. Play with kids. Change diapers. Send kids home with parents. Talk with parents.<br /><br />After 6pmish. Usually one of the following... Go to MCC to use internet or internet cafe. Hang out with the other SALTers. Chill with co-workers. Visit family(ies). On Wednesdays I usually go to MCC potluck.<br /><br />9pm. watch a soap opera with host family.<br /><br />Saturday-<br /><br />Anything could happen on this day. Sometimes I go to the campo. Sometimes chill with the family. Usually go to mass at 8pm at the local capilla.<br /><br />Sunday-<br /><br />Day of rest. Skype. Email. Read. etc.<br /><br />I apologize. My weeks really do vary so this is description is very vague and probably doesnt make any sense.<br /><br />I will try to post more videos and pictures later this week!<br /><br />Please keep the prayers coming :)Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-27574483837485188322009-11-08T12:08:00.000-08:002009-11-08T13:56:15.666-08:00High on Life :)<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw7GRaFv2GHft-uJcJsFeNPMd8dYx2oWMTe_TLwknj_H0wgPFVGfKQO7b4QWShLoxetLAeUcxXvyYzOX9bPsA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-24159212599982311052009-10-29T15:46:00.001-07:002009-10-29T16:08:37.833-07:00More Pictures!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAI43tPbkJMR_Dm-lB-ZRRXLnyCVU89o7r2eNPci967sbzongtaNEZ6xmy2RShxJUXD-Su64Pl_OsKIgS__F4E2n6SGn64RgE4bz1ejzh0qB2ON6i4SYIgIM31kR_7YO84sS5RGwwgrM/s1600-h/PA070093.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAI43tPbkJMR_Dm-lB-ZRRXLnyCVU89o7r2eNPci967sbzongtaNEZ6xmy2RShxJUXD-Su64Pl_OsKIgS__F4E2n6SGn64RgE4bz1ejzh0qB2ON6i4SYIgIM31kR_7YO84sS5RGwwgrM/s320/PA070093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398159091705537298" border="0" /></a><br />These are pictures from the retreat that MCC took at the beginning of October for a few days. We went to Samaipata which is a couple hours away from Santa Cruz. It was absolutely beautiful and we all loved it! This is a cross on a the top of a little hill.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfP-3XMuXyB4vxXUTgdarAeSMSGSYezG1j1aa87k3HpEtLZ6_XSJ78IlTbC2FFwqUnLnxVBuwWK77bpZgdkTUPxmt1_WpmVAeyYZXcNfFZezbT5hsD_6GyWUouTpTDt3mZNujJQCWbOY/s1600-h/PA070086.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfP-3XMuXyB4vxXUTgdarAeSMSGSYezG1j1aa87k3HpEtLZ6_XSJ78IlTbC2FFwqUnLnxVBuwWK77bpZgdkTUPxmt1_WpmVAeyYZXcNfFZezbT5hsD_6GyWUouTpTDt3mZNujJQCWbOY/s320/PA070086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398160796902017810" border="0" /></a><br />This is the picture of the little town of Samaipata. Precious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTViH4ZhFrJlxGbgnY074xnDTWJ5lD_X1u62-uMuAUa5QiUT1fVLUROLKr_zPcXnSMFQi-TY-WIARF06QnpW2uUvikLrEtGor36QElHhfJs66AFX9SvAi7gHNQ5DqdOwfIFkKKgsHvmdk/s1600-h/PA070096.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTViH4ZhFrJlxGbgnY074xnDTWJ5lD_X1u62-uMuAUa5QiUT1fVLUROLKr_zPcXnSMFQi-TY-WIARF06QnpW2uUvikLrEtGor36QElHhfJs66AFX9SvAi7gHNQ5DqdOwfIFkKKgsHvmdk/s320/PA070096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398162529027185538" border="0" /></a><br />Picture of Allyn and I :)Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-34358318176087420112009-10-28T12:56:00.000-07:002009-10-28T14:17:33.171-07:00Pictures PICTURESSSS!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglXxExBR-HL_naTHB2hKFI4FsIg01Mf12KZGV2-cV_CcEs0EygQ1w9soRV_wD2CvgmJ2vKfZH-5sX8WREbi0JyxzEjT3oIgNLRr8MCSjg7kh9qjdX2zhpiaBlaI6yvvCd86dMkfyYj08/s1600-h/PA190103.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglXxExBR-HL_naTHB2hKFI4FsIg01Mf12KZGV2-cV_CcEs0EygQ1w9soRV_wD2CvgmJ2vKfZH-5sX8WREbi0JyxzEjT3oIgNLRr8MCSjg7kh9qjdX2zhpiaBlaI6yvvCd86dMkfyYj08/s320/PA190103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397743984654571250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a picture of half of the daycare center where the baby room and the kitchen is located. Under that blue tarp thing is where we wash the dishes. Note the lack of grass :( I will never take grass for granted ever again!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLyZDotNWr6Lm8RJBRchihBAgxYm2Orijh54E9Qr0QbjRU3X9uzCSekhxOnpdODkrN471f8c1CWZu2whHYfH7DoNDnrc4bl1UMZ8AznATJFmxR-ntyf7XqkaZhWY56xvxpl4n8bs18ec/s1600-h/PA190102.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLyZDotNWr6Lm8RJBRchihBAgxYm2Orijh54E9Qr0QbjRU3X9uzCSekhxOnpdODkrN471f8c1CWZu2whHYfH7DoNDnrc4bl1UMZ8AznATJFmxR-ntyf7XqkaZhWY56xvxpl4n8bs18ec/s320/PA190102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397745985895440738" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the other half of the daycare center with the kindergarten classroom and the toddler classroom. You can see all the towels hanging to dry on the window.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7oX8nKU2P2jrls7zzEu1YxkMUA5EF5B5a_NUDH8ptcOsxeByugsAk0EcWnRFXE6AS14LjmTLh-bihyEluSkzKluAUJWAjdr8XR0zSURr-fbX04LtrMhnJ9SNMk_7-WN1RJfDHYHoaoY/s1600-h/PA190101.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7oX8nKU2P2jrls7zzEu1YxkMUA5EF5B5a_NUDH8ptcOsxeByugsAk0EcWnRFXE6AS14LjmTLh-bihyEluSkzKluAUJWAjdr8XR0zSURr-fbX04LtrMhnJ9SNMk_7-WN1RJfDHYHoaoY/s320/PA190101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397749633017136034" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a picture of the bathrooms and showers!! YAY!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQfxu3OjPOuh4yB6NcGJZi-1CqOs2iQeKAKF0t87VGBorXau6LSQAiSW-83FTUtyqEnhdQiq25_DLRwKQ69XaU4wIkGZpvFmSOX1d7HG8wyq5NZx837mGUBbpPVrKaYLphsIw0PFoOh0/s1600-h/PA190100.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQfxu3OjPOuh4yB6NcGJZi-1CqOs2iQeKAKF0t87VGBorXau6LSQAiSW-83FTUtyqEnhdQiq25_DLRwKQ69XaU4wIkGZpvFmSOX1d7HG8wyq5NZx837mGUBbpPVrKaYLphsIw0PFoOh0/s320/PA190100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397756309209645186" border="0" /></a><br />Playground! My favorite spot!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HyawA_HWYobwmOVblLK9T-XX8bLVeQ2pBI7mYed8i3wMl32LUI_c-jTjdvl-tTqtCTXC89T-wvPk4YY7bxJl-aqrWWufV9z8l9Se5EoUyA7trxsm7a1t2qj2AL1Wz_O5fktUICJPFQ4/s1600-h/P9160078.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HyawA_HWYobwmOVblLK9T-XX8bLVeQ2pBI7mYed8i3wMl32LUI_c-jTjdvl-tTqtCTXC89T-wvPk4YY7bxJl-aqrWWufV9z8l9Se5EoUyA7trxsm7a1t2qj2AL1Wz_O5fktUICJPFQ4/s320/P9160078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397758872526406418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ruth and Margarita!! Ruth always calls me (and all of the teachers) "Mommy!!"<br /><br />Peace!Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-9967118088933728682009-10-26T15:25:00.000-07:002009-10-26T15:47:17.627-07:00Too Long...This post is way overdue. And I have so much to say but yet I am struggling to find words. I will try.<br />Update on Bolivia:<br />I have started to do home visits with families from the daycare center and it is really exciting. I love all the of kids and so its always interesting to meet their families. I do feel overwhelmed because although I studied Family Science .... this context is very different and I can't just take what I studied within US context and transfer it here. I will just have to trust that God will use some of the wisdom I gained at Messiah and help me mold it to work here. I also am intimidated because I feel that my Spanish has not gotten better but actually worse! Ahhh! It's frustrating but I think I just get thrown off my Bolivian Spanish because I think its so different from any other country. They have their own strong accent, intonation, and words, and I get easily confused and then frustrated at myself. But I just try to take it one conversation at a time. <br />I have been spending a lot of time with the kids and taking pictures with the intention of posting them on here but left my camera at home so that will have to wait until another day. Sorry! But be excited because they are super cute!<br /><br />Update on myself:<br />My time here in Bolivia has been filled with joy, sadness, confusion, many tears and many smiles. I almost always feel lonely yet I know I am not alone. Obviously because God is with me. I miss home all the time and often wish I would have pursued Teach for America instead so that I could be in my familiar context, culture, home. But then I take a step back and remember...remember why I came. Why I am making this sacrifice. I guess when I applied I thought..."Yeah, I am going to go to Bolivia, walk alongside the people, and be the best SALTer MCC has ever seen!" I realized...that I have been so me-focused. And not other-focused. I thought I could do it all. Then this summer hit and I fell hard from being on top of my little mountain. I went through a very rough time this summer and came to Bolivia confused and very depressed. But since I have been here, I have learned a lot of hard lessons...note the following...<br />1. We should never take anything for granted. NOTHING.<br />2. Don't overanalyze. Thank you Josh... :)<br />3. Don't be so hard on yourself.<br />4. If you feel that you are having a rough day or you are in a foul mood...don't feel bad or guiltyabout it...just live through it and you'll get over it<br />5. Just love :)<br />This summer I drove myself crazying thinking that I wasn't good enough for God. I wasn't doing enough things to change the world or change my environment. I wasn't spiritual enough or have this deep crazy connection with the Holy Spirit. Then I thought God was disappointed and I got more depressed thinking of everything that is wrong in the world that I forgot to celebrate the love and goodness. <br />So I learned my lesson the hard way and I am stilling learning it. God doesn't expect us to save the world. That is His job. He just wants us to love Him and love others and do good (and be intentional). So that is what I focus on doing. Its hard thing to change when for so long I measured my selfworth with grades, achievements, leadership roles, etc. So this whole healing, learning lessons thing is hard and I often feel alone but I know I am not. And I know all those that I love and that love me are with me. All the time...in spirit!<br /><br />So thank you to all of those who have encouraged me. I love you all. Whether it has been through emails, reading this blog, facebook messages, positive thoughts, prayers or calls. I am still on this lesson learning journey...but I guess that is what life is all about.Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-64852863498915320832009-10-04T07:17:00.000-07:002009-10-04T07:42:25.989-07:00Sleeping in a hammackI am currently writing this update from my host father´s little bookshop :) I have so many things to write...we´ll see how much I get in!<br />This week has been hard because we´ve had two deaths in our community. One was self-inflicted. He was only 17. The other was a teenager with down syndrome. I know that these things occur daily but I guess as I reflect I wonder if these could have been prevented if there would have been resources available. And I dont mean just healthcare but mostly education. Naturally they could have still occurred but here as in many other places...they are oppressed and manipulated. For example, sugar consumption here is through the roof. Why? Because of the sugar industry here has been so important and yet so imposed by foreigners. And there are many countries in Latin America where that is the case. Soda is widely consumed like water and its frustrating because the soda companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi go door to door giving free things to the people and giving them soda. And its so cheap, there´s propaganda everywhere that people now drink it like water. <br />The community I live in ¨Plan 3000¨its considered ¨dangerous¨or the place where all the criminals live and really...my experience has been opposite. Its a place with friendly people and a close community. But people fear what they do not know. I am happy here.<br />Last night at mass the father talked about Genesis and how men and women were created for one another. What really struck me was how he interpreted the passage in Genesis where God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve. He says that this was very intentional, because this comes from the middle of the man meaning that Eve was created so that they may be companions. He said that God wouldnt have taken a bone from man´s foot because woman wasn´t created to be a man´s slave or servant. He points out how woman were not created to obey man and do whatever he says. On the contrary, she was created so that they could love each other. But he went on to say how cultural things like machisimo ruins that dream or God´s purpose. He said..¨She wasnt created to do laundry or cook or clean. She was created to be Adam´s sister.¨ In this context that is pretty radical thinking. It was incredible!<br />And the church I go to they have a natural medicine clinic and a garden. They are very intentional about working with the poor and loving them. The hard part is many evangelicals here think Catholics are not Christians or are not working for good. <br />As you can see I am learning a lot everyday and really enjoying my time here...even if I still have a million questions and feel homesick :)Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435315124581584904.post-27904458841406358602009-09-29T14:13:00.000-07:002009-09-29T14:18:33.479-07:00Funny story...I usually dont update two days in a row but I had to share a story that happened today...<br /><br />I was sleeping with the 3 and 4 year olds on mattresses when one little girl started to whimper and cry. I woke up, waved her over, and she crawled and laid up against me. She told me her teeth were hurting her and I looked in her mouth and almost all of her teeth have cavities. So I rub her back and pray for her and she eventually falls back asleep. She wakes up again from the pain about twenty minutes later and I feel wet so I look down and see that the other girl next to me peed all over the mattress including on me! Hahaha....it was so funny I started laughing out loud to myself because we just showered her and I had been so distracted with the little girl with the cavities that I really dont know how long I had been sleeping in pee! Well, there you go...pee and cavities. Many of the things we deal with at the guaderia but oh how I love these children :)Arelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14229522882191594221noreply@blogger.com0