 |
| Eunice (Host sister) got FREE tickets! |
 |
| Ladies in heels |
 |
| Front row seats too! |
 |
| Comedian |
 |
| Guys in jump suits |
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Concert in El Stadio
Pictures From the Day
 |
| View from Melvy´s home |
 |
| Happy about my new hair cut and friends |
 |
| Pineapple cake |
 |
| Open kitchen to the downstairs and patio |
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Example of my confused life: Language gaps
Everyday culture, limited language understanding, and equally limited knowledge of the city play a huge role in my daily plans. Yesterday, in particular, was a perfect example of how confusing / frustrating life is here.
To begin Friday was a city wide holiday, Dia de Cochabamba. The majority of people take the day off to celebrate with there families, eat local food, go to parades or attend other events. My host family had made plans for the Feriada, and I managed to extract the vital information of when we might leave the house in the morning. In true Bolivian fashion, we left a half hour "late" and with me not knowing not the destination. My understanding of the day from earlier inquiries was that my host Mom had to be at a meeting all day, and the rest of us would go to some location with food and swimming. As I had made plans for a language class in the early afternoon, I told my family I needed to be back on the North side of town by 12:30. They said no problem, so I tagged along still not sure how far we would go out of town for this adventure.
Instead we went to the heart of downtown to a plaza called the 14 de Septembre. The plaza was surrounded by army personnel and native clothed persons and was arranged for a press conference with local dignitaries. We watched as the president, catholic preist, and native representatives gave their speeches, songs and ritual blessings to celebrate the day. Then we sat near the central fountain as Avril, age 5, fed and chased pigeons. For lunch we went to a nearby restaurant for elaborate ice cream and for me salad! (I have a food allergy to dairy.) Somehow in conversation over lunch we then decided to go get hair cuts. So, we travelled to the heart of "La Concha" -a large open air shopping market. In fact, it might be the largest black market in S. America.
Fearfully, I pointed at pictures of how I wanted my hair cut and held my breath as the hairdresser grimaced combing my curly hair. 30 mins later my straightened blond hair was picture perfect and I happily paid 25Bs (less that $4) for my new do. Now 12:45, I was going to be late for my meeting. So, I made a quick call to Ely, my friend apologizing and giving an estimation of my new arrival time. She in turn said she would call the teacher we were meeting to get clear directions to her house and inform her of our delay. My family, only half finished with their hair cuts, said I could catch a trufi (public transport) to where I needed to go, and explained that I only needed to walk two blocks to the corner near the flower stands. Ok, no problem.
As I watched the trufi traffic pass, I was disappointed to not see the number 106 pass. So, I flagged down a 109 and asked which trufi number I would need to reach my desired intersection. The kind driver told me to look for a #1 of #16 micro (a larger public transport bus). Again, checking information, I asked the driver of the #1 micro, and thankfully a passenger clarified I would indeed get where I wanted to go. "Pase" -Come in.
By 2:00pm, I met Ely at the corner of a roud-about she had been waiting and watching for a #3 trufi to pass by for about 45mins. I had just missed the trufi she said by 2mins. So, we waited another 20mins before the next passing trufi. With rough instructions in hand to go to the end of the route and to then look for a church, we climbed north hills. Churches here either look like homes with a sign saying "iglesia" and no other distinction or are elaborate catholic buildings. Not knowing the type of church, and anxious to reach our destination we asked to be let off when I thought I saw a cross from behind a corner gate. Turns out I was wrong, and only 3/4 the way up the hill on a new route, we were lost. So, walking down the road we asked a local construction worker if he knew where the trufi route went. Thankfully he said we only needed to hike two blocks uphill. When we had walked three we were greeted by a cross shaped fence of a apartment looking house and new we had made it close to our destination.
No worries, only an hour and forty five minutes late we had arrived. Melvy was super gracious and in Bolivian fashion offered us almuerzo, lunch. We finished the rest of the afternoon, learning both English and Spanish words, baking and sharing tea and stories. It was a super relaxing time and exactly what my heart needed.
However, again because of the holiday we needed to leave before 5 PM, as not only would there be "drunks" driving but the public transportation would also quit earlier. -Things all Bolivians know. Thankfully Melvy escorted both Ely and I to the trufi corner to negotiate with a group waiting on there to share a taxi ride/fare down the hill. It was true, there was less traffic when we reached the bottom of the hill and most trufi's that past were full, but I still managed to catch a trufi home to Ticipya after only waiting 15 mins on the corner. Woohoo! Success back in time for cena and a movie (in Spanish) with my host sister.
Yes, living here is always an enthusiastic made plan with many unknown variables and a shot in the dark chance of completion. It is great practice at vulnerability and continually humbling.
To begin Friday was a city wide holiday, Dia de Cochabamba. The majority of people take the day off to celebrate with there families, eat local food, go to parades or attend other events. My host family had made plans for the Feriada, and I managed to extract the vital information of when we might leave the house in the morning. In true Bolivian fashion, we left a half hour "late" and with me not knowing not the destination. My understanding of the day from earlier inquiries was that my host Mom had to be at a meeting all day, and the rest of us would go to some location with food and swimming. As I had made plans for a language class in the early afternoon, I told my family I needed to be back on the North side of town by 12:30. They said no problem, so I tagged along still not sure how far we would go out of town for this adventure.
Instead we went to the heart of downtown to a plaza called the 14 de Septembre. The plaza was surrounded by army personnel and native clothed persons and was arranged for a press conference with local dignitaries. We watched as the president, catholic preist, and native representatives gave their speeches, songs and ritual blessings to celebrate the day. Then we sat near the central fountain as Avril, age 5, fed and chased pigeons. For lunch we went to a nearby restaurant for elaborate ice cream and for me salad! (I have a food allergy to dairy.) Somehow in conversation over lunch we then decided to go get hair cuts. So, we travelled to the heart of "La Concha" -a large open air shopping market. In fact, it might be the largest black market in S. America.
Fearfully, I pointed at pictures of how I wanted my hair cut and held my breath as the hairdresser grimaced combing my curly hair. 30 mins later my straightened blond hair was picture perfect and I happily paid 25Bs (less that $4) for my new do. Now 12:45, I was going to be late for my meeting. So, I made a quick call to Ely, my friend apologizing and giving an estimation of my new arrival time. She in turn said she would call the teacher we were meeting to get clear directions to her house and inform her of our delay. My family, only half finished with their hair cuts, said I could catch a trufi (public transport) to where I needed to go, and explained that I only needed to walk two blocks to the corner near the flower stands. Ok, no problem.
As I watched the trufi traffic pass, I was disappointed to not see the number 106 pass. So, I flagged down a 109 and asked which trufi number I would need to reach my desired intersection. The kind driver told me to look for a #1 of #16 micro (a larger public transport bus). Again, checking information, I asked the driver of the #1 micro, and thankfully a passenger clarified I would indeed get where I wanted to go. "Pase" -Come in.
By 2:00pm, I met Ely at the corner of a roud-about she had been waiting and watching for a #3 trufi to pass by for about 45mins. I had just missed the trufi she said by 2mins. So, we waited another 20mins before the next passing trufi. With rough instructions in hand to go to the end of the route and to then look for a church, we climbed north hills. Churches here either look like homes with a sign saying "iglesia" and no other distinction or are elaborate catholic buildings. Not knowing the type of church, and anxious to reach our destination we asked to be let off when I thought I saw a cross from behind a corner gate. Turns out I was wrong, and only 3/4 the way up the hill on a new route, we were lost. So, walking down the road we asked a local construction worker if he knew where the trufi route went. Thankfully he said we only needed to hike two blocks uphill. When we had walked three we were greeted by a cross shaped fence of a apartment looking house and new we had made it close to our destination.
No worries, only an hour and forty five minutes late we had arrived. Melvy was super gracious and in Bolivian fashion offered us almuerzo, lunch. We finished the rest of the afternoon, learning both English and Spanish words, baking and sharing tea and stories. It was a super relaxing time and exactly what my heart needed.
However, again because of the holiday we needed to leave before 5 PM, as not only would there be "drunks" driving but the public transportation would also quit earlier. -Things all Bolivians know. Thankfully Melvy escorted both Ely and I to the trufi corner to negotiate with a group waiting on there to share a taxi ride/fare down the hill. It was true, there was less traffic when we reached the bottom of the hill and most trufi's that past were full, but I still managed to catch a trufi home to Ticipya after only waiting 15 mins on the corner. Woohoo! Success back in time for cena and a movie (in Spanish) with my host sister.
Yes, living here is always an enthusiastic made plan with many unknown variables and a shot in the dark chance of completion. It is great practice at vulnerability and continually humbling.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Arts in Bolivia
Craft Fair
At each booth not only could you buy the product but also a private session and materials to make the specific craft displayed. Such a foreign concept to me that one would come to a fair to learn how to decoupage. But I guess when you do not have a Michael's where else are you to go?
Coral Y Orquestra Filarmonica de Cochabamba presentan Carmina Burana de Carl Orff
It was lovely to be transported for an evening to an event center, one could easily place in a golf course in the states. And best part it cost less than $7.
Dance
Last night, I saw my first dance performance in Bolivia! Modern dance no less. The venue was an open air theater on the grounds of an historical mansion/museum and was breath taking. I again felt back home in Eugene, as I watched in the warm night air with a cup of coffee in hand. (Well, the coffee wasn´t coffee buy our NW standards, but that is a different topic altogether.) Best night of entertainment yet! Quick lesson in language: make sure to say "dance" and not "bilar." Dance is OK only in conversation with curtain groups, however traditional dance is good in context of fair or parade. This week is a holiday week- The birthday of Cochabamba. So, In the stadium tonight, I am going to see some more traditional dances of Cochabamba.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Spending time pouring into people.
Living 24/7 with a small group really gives lots of opportunity to be known and to know others. And somehow through this awkward and regular interaction a strange sense of calm or normalsy was formed within our little group transplanted into Bolivian life.
For the first six weeks of living in Bolivia, Megan was my roommate and fellow lady
on our small team of five. Pillow talk and prayer right before bed became a favorite part of the day for me as I got to know Megan while sharing space at the Em office and with our host family.
Then the B-team arrived and we had a change of
roommates and team dynamic as our group became tweleve. For two weeks in
Cochabamba, Kelsey, Becca and I were able to share life while we lived
in the EM office. Again the late night prayers and thinking through the day really bonded us as "roommates"
And for the final week of the Eugene team´s stay in Bolivia, the whole team moved into a church in Santa Cruz. We became not only neighbors with the pastor and his family, sharing the upstairs apartment area, but also with the local missionaries of the church. The Eugene team split, guys in one common room and gals in another. Turns out living with seven gals in one space wasn´t all that bad and sharing a single bathroom/shower with 14 people is also possible. (Boy did we stink by the end of that week though.)
During these times of
transition and late night conversations (Pillow Talk and Prayer), God
showed me the work He was accomplishing in these ladies lives. It was
such a priviledge to dialogue through the challenges and joyful moments
with each of these gals. Hearing their struggles turn to trust points in their teammates and God, was possibly the most rewarding part for me during our travels.
Team/Community safe travels!
 |
| Scavenger Hunt 4th fo July |
 |
| On Tunari 16,500ft |
 |
| Cristo Summit |
And for the final week of the Eugene team´s stay in Bolivia, the whole team moved into a church in Santa Cruz. We became not only neighbors with the pastor and his family, sharing the upstairs apartment area, but also with the local missionaries of the church. The Eugene team split, guys in one common room and gals in another. Turns out living with seven gals in one space wasn´t all that bad and sharing a single bathroom/shower with 14 people is also possible. (Boy did we stink by the end of that week though.)
 |
| Airport to Santa Cruz |
Team/Community safe travels!
 |
| Urcopinia Festival |
Good Memories of Good Times
The first night we shared as a team at the office we shared our favorite worship songs. Music preferance defines people so well, but worship music is a little different, it defines how a person relates to God. Thanks for sharing. I now listen to those songs as a way of centering.
Give it All by Grace Laxson
Cannons by Phil Wickham
Yeah B-team, I am missing you all...
I miss walking up the road from Tom´s apartment to the office hearing all your voices.
Paul- I miss seeing you early in the morning.
JonMarc- I miss hearing you play the guitar.
Megan- I miss our evening prayers.
Kelsey- I miss your enthusiasm for the sky.
Allie- I miss you awkward bubble popping hugs.
Nelvia- I miss your cooking!
What I miss most about Oregon...
The people, healthy food, hot showers, hiking, green things growing and water I can swim in.
Give it All by Grace Laxson
Cannons by Phil Wickham
Yeah B-team, I am missing you all...
I miss walking up the road from Tom´s apartment to the office hearing all your voices.
Paul- I miss seeing you early in the morning.
JonMarc- I miss hearing you play the guitar.
Megan- I miss our evening prayers.
Kelsey- I miss your enthusiasm for the sky.
Allie- I miss you awkward bubble popping hugs.
Nelvia- I miss your cooking!
What I miss most about Oregon...
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Lead ME
Here are another two blog links to check out!
The Collins Blog. Dan, EM Director, and his family have lived in Cochabamba for seven years. They have hosted many teams and started many businesses. It was great being a part of their latest project with Uncharted Waters to encourage the local church. Read more about how we partnered/encouraged/trained leaders in this special sports cirriculum that blends both biblical values and sports skills.
The Wansek´s Blog. Tom and Abbey have been work in Cochabamba for the last eight months as short term team corrdinators. Sharing time, struggles and laughter with this couple has been a blast! Tom and Abbey lived with our same host family for four months so we share some family affections for the Bolivians.
 |
| Dan and Ben |
 |
| Daryl, Naomi, and Rachel |
 | |
| Campassion International Sports Camp |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)