Sunday, March 7, 2010

Flying Niños!

Hello my lovely friends and family!

Sorry it has been a while. La guarderia is still going well--my kids are amazing! Every one of them is so unique and special; I really do love spending time with them. One of my niños, Mikel, delights in not listening to a word I say, but it is impossible to stay mad at him, as he does everything with such pure innocence and joy. Numerous times a day he will come flying at me mid-air (usually after jumping off a table), which has really sharpened my children-catching instincts. Another one, Richar, I believe to be indestructible. He is constantly running into things full force. A little guy, his might and determination far outweigh his balance and spacial awareness. He reminds me of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Carnaval in Cochabamba was far crazier here than it was in Oruro. I really don’t know how, but my friends and I ended up walking along the parade path in the opposite direction, in a “globos” line of fire. No less than 300 water balloons, multiple cans of shaving cream, and a blue spray paint facial later I was done. Utterly destroyed. Despite all of that the craziest part of the day was that while we were walking through the parade, Evo Morales himself was guided right past us by a police squad and into the bleachers we were standing in front of. The president of Bolivia was about five feet away from me, close enough that if I had really wanted to I could have touched him (although it probably would have come with the risk of a club to the stomach). If that were Obama he would’ve been walking in a bulletproof glass box with about 20 times the number of armed men around him!

There is a new volunteer at the project from New Zealand. She is also very much interested in microfinance and economic development, so hopefully we can join forces to make such a system more of a reality here. I am also grateful that this now tips the English/German-speaking ratio a bit more in my favor.

I performed an instant-coffee taste test the other day. I fully expected Nescafe to win, but 1st place went to Iguacu, although by the time I was satisfied with my decision I was buzzing and my taste buds probably wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference between coffee and soap.

On another more interesting note my visa is expired and I must leave the country in order to get a new one. So probably next weekend I will be heading to Peru. I have been so greatly blessed, however, because my host sister, a Peru native, has offered to come with me. What first seemed like a slightly risky trek (the border is not the safest, and we are still unsure of whether or not I need to stay out for more than 24 hours) quickly transformed into a weekend va-cay at Lake Titicaca with a friend.

Please continue to pray for my health and safety.

Un abrazo,

Callie