Un remolino

      The real question is “where do I even begin?” I haven’t been able to write for the past two weeks but that is because I haven’t exactly slowed down enough to even begin to reflect on what has been happening . Two weeks ago, I headed to Potosí, Bolivia. It was a beautiful town seated at about 14,000 ft. At one point in time, it was the richest and most populated city in the world, but time has taken its toll on this exploited city.  There is a mountain in Potosí called Cerro Rico, it is known as the mountain that eats men. It is estimated that over 8 million people have died in the mines at Potosí. The tragedy that really struck me was that there are children working in these mines. Currently it is estimated at approximately 500. Working in the mines equals a life with no future. The only future is early death. Most miners die at the age of 35 or 40 from a disease called Silicosis or earlier from an accident. There are children who are 12 years old taking on the roles of their fathers. Even their brothers and sisters call them Papá. I don’t believe any 12 year old should be forced to take on the responsibilities of an entire family.  He should be in the cancha playing fútbol with his friends or in a classroom learning math, science, and literature.  The only reason these kids work in the mines is because there is no other work. They barely make ends meet on mining impure silver, zinc, tin, and other minerals. Most of it has been picked over and not much is left.  I wish there was something I could do, but for now understanding will have to suffice. The government is going to have to do some radical things if it wants to ensure the future of its people in this paradoxical city of beauty and ugliness.
    Towards the end of my trip to Potosí was able to relax in an Incan hotspring. I covered myself in mud and swam where the Incan emperor would have come and bathed. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen because as I was swimming, I looked out under a vast canopy of endless clear blue skies, and a majestic skyline of nothing but mountains. The mountains do not possess the beauty that we would expect, but it is something very different. The dirt, rock, and clay reflected the harsh sunlight to give off a reddish color. Every mountain had layers of different colors like that of an earth-made rainbow. As I gazed out over the horizon, I realized I was swimming in history. It was incredible to experience something so beautiful.
    As I returned to Potosí to travel to Sucre, I received a phone call that was anything but good news. I found out my grandfather had died somewhat suddenly. I was incredibly stressed to figure out how in the world I was going to get back home and make it to the funeral in time. We called the airlines and there were no flights directly out of Bolivia but the SIT secretary worked her magic and found one. First, I had to take an eleven-hour bus ride (and that is not a mistype) from Sucre to Cochabamba. I have never been shaken that much at one time, I thought I was going to come apart at the seams.  I didn’t sleep at all because no matter what position I found myself in, I was shaken out of comfort. Once I arrived in Cochabamba my flight took me to Santa Cruz, then to Asuncion, Paraguay, then to Sao Paulo, Brazil, then to Miami, and finally to Charlotte. My trip totaled around 40 continuous hours. My parents came to pick me up and we headed to little Clinton, SC. I must say it was very sad but looking back on it all, I know I made the right decision. Jesus took care of me every step of the way. The bus ride may have been awful but it was there that God let me know that I was going to have to speak at my grandfather’s funeral. I wasn’t 10 minutes in Miami when I called my mom and she told me that the pastor had asked her if I wanted to speak. I knew my answer. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, but I knew it was something I had to do.  I must also add that I do believe I have some of the greatest friends in the world. At the funeral, there was a whole row of them sitting there. They even came to the house to eat afterwards and it did wonders for my heart and spirit. Some even drove down from Wofford to Columbia just to sit and visit. It was incredible and I can’t thank them enough. During my whole time at home, words often failed to express the true feelings and emotions that I was experiencing. Sometimes, I wonder if they are really meant to be expressed in words. It kind of takes away from what they really are and how powerful they can be. I just know I had some awesome people giving me all their support to help keep me up in this hard time. It was great to see my family and sleep in my own bed for a few days, but I knew that I had to get back. My trip back to Cochabamba was the same at getting home, minus the eleven-hour bus ride. I had a lot of trouble with my Visa because it expired the day before I got back but I am here now and back to busy. I get to spend the next week in the campo (rural area of the city) and learn a ton more there. That should make for an interesting blog.
    All in all, these past two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions, experiences, and trials that one blog entry could never contain. I have discovered what true friendship is and how to cope with the sudden tribulations that life throws our way.  I am still processing a great deal and it may be sometime before I truly understand everything that I have been through, but I guess that will just make for another blog entry. ☺ Life is what it is, but Jesus has been with me every step of the way.  Returning home to be with my family was the right thing to do and I don’t regret it in the least. It was sad but an incredible experience nonetheless. It makes coming back a little difficult, but there is no time for sitting down, there is a whole country to explore!

Comments

[Adam Reads(Mr)]

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Assistant Director
Standard Rugby & Volleyball International Agency

[L Barbas Rhoden]

Your descriptions of Potosí are beautiful, Matt. You're doing good work learning and learning to see. And I'm glad you made it home to be with your family after your grandfather's passing. Tell us more in the days to come.

[Amy]

thats so sad, those kids ... but i still enjoyed the blog. and once again the pictures are exquisite