So, I'm here in Cochabamba and I'm finally getting used to things. I was definitely a little homesick the first couple of days, but I think that's absolutely normal. There is so much I have experienced just in a week that I feel like it has already been a year (except of course when I have no idea what someone is saying or end up somewhere I don't know, and have no idea how to get back!). You can pick whichever sections you want to read. Hope you enjoy!Traffic:
Traffic signs here are merely for decorations, and seatbelts are completely optional.
Airplanes, bus rides, and altitude sickness:
So, seeing as how my dad was a pilot I have traveled a lot and never gotten sick. Not true this time. As soon as we landed in Santa Cruz from Miami, I got sick. And then, as soon as we landed in Cochabamba from Santa Cruz, I got sick again. Then, this past weekend, the five hour curvy bus ride through the Andes about did me in. When we arrived in Oruro finally, I wasn´t even ready to experience Carnaval...I just wanted to lay down!! There were definitely lots of us who got sick. The altitude was also not very good for anyone. There were lots of headaches and upset stomachs and fatigue!
Food:
Bolivians, especially Cochabambinos (as they call themselves), eat ALOT! They eat breakfast (usually bread, cheese, warm milk, fruit, and coffee or tee), then a snack (these things called saltenas), then a HUGE lunch with the whole family, then a snack in the afternoon, then dinner (which usually isn´t too much more than bread and fruit and maybe some cereal). And I have honestly not eaten as much red meat and potatoes in my life as I have here. I feel like that´s what they serve at every meal! There are also some things that I don´t know what they are. I just choose not to ask and eat it anyway. Sometimes its just better not to know what you´re eating!
Showers:
This is one thing I don´t know that I will ever get used to. The warmest I´ve gotten a shower since I´ve been here is room temperature...maybe. It´s definitely an adjustment, but absolutely incentive to take REALLY quick showers! Meagan, you will be happy to know that there hasn´t been a shower over 7 mins!
The Scenery:
It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL here! The mountains are all around, and everything is so green. And if its not green, its colorful. There are so many trees and flowers here that I have never seen before. The people also wear lots of colors. Many people dress very distinctly Bolivian, with lots of colors and clothes with Andean influence. There are murals all over the walls of anything and everything you can think of. The plazas and parks are full of familys and people who will randomly get up and start speaking about something. There was a preacher in the plaza the other day, and a rights activist another.
My Host Family:
They are awesome! I am definitely one of the lucky ones. I have a host dad (Freddy), a host mom (Norka), and a host sister (Paola, 16). They have been so welcoming and so helpful with everything! They correct my spanish, but are also very encouraging. They have a beautiful house, and I was definitely lucky enough to get a wealthier family that has running water and electricity at all times of the day. Some of the people in my program weren´t so lucky! We live right next door to my host mom´s twin, who has a German wife and two small children. And the best part? We have a dog! His name is Moli, and it is so comforting to have a pet! haha. They also have a garden with lots of flowers and lemon trees.
Laundry:
Yep, you wash your clothes outside in a basin and then hang them up to dry. Some of you right now are wondering how on earth I am going to survive. Let me tell you, in just a few days I have definitely learned to adjust quickly! The only annoyance is that it rains everyday here so its really rather difficult to actually dry your clothes!
Carnaval:
This past weekend, my group went to Carnaval in Oruro. This was definitely one of the craziest experiences I have ever had in my entire life. There are people EVERYWHERE, and the party is literally all weekend. We got there friday night at 11:30 pm and there were millions of people in the street. Then, the parade started the next morning at 6 in the morning, and didn´t stop until 4 in the morning. And then, they only took a four hour break. It started right back up again at 8 the next morning! The costumes were beautiful though! I have honestly never seen so many colors and costumes, heard so many songs and other noises, or experiences anything more crazy. Everything throws globos (water balloons) and espuma (foam) and by the end of the day you are soaking wet, and freezing cold! (and you obviously can´t count on the shower to warm you up! haha. It was absolutely an experience of a lifetime! I´ll have to send pictures later!
Military:
This is probaby one of the hardest things to get used to as well. On almost every corner there are military officers with machine guns, and some just have bats. They are even in the airports. It kinda scared me at first, but I´m getting more used to it now.
Safety:
So far I have been ok, but many people in my group have gotten pick-pocketed. From some of the stories I´ve heard though they are lucky that this is all that happened to them. My host family is very insistent about safety because it is a little dangerous here in Cochabamba, especially for "los gringos," as we are called. There is just a lot of crime, but as long as we are in groups it is fine! I definitely won´t be going anywhere by myself though!! One of the guys in my program lives a few streets over and we are going to ride to and from class together everyday.
I miss everyone very much and hope to talk to all of you very soon!
Kristen
I miss everyone very much and hope to talk to all of you very soon!
Kristen
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