I finished up my time at the language school and went out a couple of nights with some of the other students who were studying there and had lots of fun. I made it to the two soccer games that were in Cochabamba while I was there which was awesome. I even got to see my team from Montero play one the Cochabamba teams, but; was disappointed we could only get away with a tie when we should have easily won and played with one more man for about sixty minutes of the game.
Saturday after quite a long trip (but what else is expected while traveling in Bolivia) I arrived in Montero, Bolivia about an hour north of Santa Cruz. Saturday I went to the Guabira soccer game which is the team from Montero. Currently they are in “la liga” which is the highest level of professional soccer in Bolivia. Quite a feat seeing as Montero is a town of more or less 100,000 people. When compared to all the other cities Montero is the smallest. Our stadium holds 10,000 people where as generally all the other stadiums hold between 20,000 and 50,000. Guabira won 2-0 and beat PotosÃ. Currently they are tied for first place in our division. I have seen two games and plan to see everyone I possibly can. To get a decent seat in the stadium you need to arrive about two hours before the game starts. So like a true fan there I was with all the Bolivians sweating and waiting. Currently our coach cannot enter the field because he pushed or hit a ref so is banned for a number of games, however; he cannot be stopped he was in our section by the fence yelling at players and the assistant coach. Where he was is only 5 or 7 feet from the field so it was more than possible. At one point I was positive he was going to get into a fight with one of the fans because number 8 was playing bad and the fans were telling him so yelling, “SAQUE OCHO P*%A” and other obscenities. Unfortunately it did not escalate to a fight like I would have liked it to but, probably for the better. I do feel for number 8 he is only 18 or 19 and has the skills but lacks the sureness and when is on the ball he seems unsure of himself. I am sure it is his first year in the league, therefore; his bad play I didn’t feel warranted the abuse.
Monday and today I have worked at the clinics I have been working in the reception office with two girls and have actually felt very helpful. Today Reina or Queen in English did not come into work today. So with a little guidance I basically did her job, nevertheless; not nearly as efficient as she does it. I have a lot of fun working in the reception office because I have done it a bunch and understand stand the system and can feel helpful. Tomorrow I will be working at the Red Cross clinic and honestly have no idea what I will be doing.
I cooked my first dinner tonight and was fairly successful. Not to say it was the hardest dinner to make but never the less I was proud. I made grilled cheese and green beans. The grilled cheese was awesome thanks to Howard who taught me how to make a mean grilled cheese. The green beans on the other hand were lacking. I didn’t add any salt or pepper or anything for that matter and I think that’s where I went wrong but there will always be tomorrow.
I have been very happy that all of the people I have seen remembered who I was and of course remembered “las gringas” or the white girls. Our Senora who owns the corner store and I had tea the other day and everyone at the clinics remembers me as well as asks where “the girls” are. Even the workers at the restaurant where we ate lunch about everyday were happy to see me and asked about Dee and Maya. I have been recognized by some people who I am not really sure who they are. Mainly by the drivers of the motorcycle taxis and usually they are just asking if I am here with the girls again. Lets just say Dee and Maya left their impact on Montero.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
First days of the second part of my drip
If you would like to see pictures from the first part of the trip follow this link
Link for Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/mansfield.fisher
Finally to be back in South America and I could not be any happier. After a grueling 22 hour trip I arrived in Cochabamba without almost any problems. I am currently studying more Spanish in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I am living with the same “mom” I lived with before her name is Cira. Cira, the best Bolivian mom you could ever ask for, lives by herself currently because her son is working out in the country as a doctor so me being here really works out for both of us.
Daily routine (more of less)
7:05 my alarms goes off and its time for a fun-filled day
7:05-7:30 I snooze my alarm several times until Cira comes and drags me out of bed
7:30-8:15 We eat breakfast or I should say she eats breakfast (bread, butter, and fruit) and I drink coffee and long to go back to sleep. I will normally finish any homework I had if I did not do and then am off to the school.
8:15-12:15 SPANISH SPANISH SPANISH and more Spanish. Everyone is working one on one with a teacher so you really speak and learn Spanish the entire time. I love all the teachers there and we are able to have many fun and interesting conversations ranging from girls to politics. It’s nice to have teachers who want to learn about you as well laugh and have fun.
12:30 Cira and I eat lunch at the house where she cooks some sort of amazing food every single day. It makes me feel like I’m back at home.
12:30-6:30 Normally head to the center of the city for a little to just see the city and buy anything if I need it. The market is always fun to go to. It’s incredibly huge and spans 2 or 3 full city blocks whatever you want you will for sure be able to find anything thing you could possibly imagine except apparently a map of Central America which I have looking for. The have things ranging from dried lama fetuses to people who want to read your “alma” or spirit with coca leaves and some sort of cards. Today I bought some DVDs for about 1.50 apiece and some Latin music cds.
6:30-7:15 Cira and I eat dinner, and practice Spanish.
7:15-to when I go to sleep. Usually this contains going out to the “cancha” or basketball court so watch some pick up soccer, maybe going to a little shop where you can play Fifa on Xbox and pool. Some nights I will head out to the Center for a few drinks and just to relax with other students at the school as if I am not relaxing enough already.
This past weekend one of my best friends from the US was leaving so we had a party for her which included lots of Bolivian dancing. I am not sure why but to me it seems like every time I end up dancing a traditional Bolivian dance it always includes a tissue and lots of spinning. A friend from Switzerland who I met last time I was here and is still here working in the Southern part of Bolivia in Tarijah came to visit me and also brought a friend along which was good we had lots of fun. Friday we went to another going away party for a different student and stayed out and danced, ate and drank. Saturday we headed out for dinner at Paprika in which we had a meat fondue which was very very good. Camille and her friend Gasper are from Switzerland and I am slowly learning that the Swiss LOVE fondue. I agree its good but if there is not fondue of some sort they feel there is something missing and maybe even wrong. We went out to a Cuban bar after and played Cacho, a Bolivian dice game, and just hung out. Sunday I went to a soccer game. At the end of the first it was 0-0 and worried that I was in for a boring second half as well soccer wise atleast; however, I was in for a grand surprise. There were six goals in the second half and three red cards. Five of the goals were scored off set pieces. Which is not normal and I felt there could have been a little more active defense on the corners. I will be leaving for Montero either Friday night or a Saturday morning depending on when and if there is a soccer game in Montero. I will be headed back to work at the medical clinics again in Montero and am very excited about returning now that I speak Spanish much better than before.
Link for Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/mansfield.fisher
Finally to be back in South America and I could not be any happier. After a grueling 22 hour trip I arrived in Cochabamba without almost any problems. I am currently studying more Spanish in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I am living with the same “mom” I lived with before her name is Cira. Cira, the best Bolivian mom you could ever ask for, lives by herself currently because her son is working out in the country as a doctor so me being here really works out for both of us.
Daily routine (more of less)
7:05 my alarms goes off and its time for a fun-filled day
7:05-7:30 I snooze my alarm several times until Cira comes and drags me out of bed
7:30-8:15 We eat breakfast or I should say she eats breakfast (bread, butter, and fruit) and I drink coffee and long to go back to sleep. I will normally finish any homework I had if I did not do and then am off to the school.
8:15-12:15 SPANISH SPANISH SPANISH and more Spanish. Everyone is working one on one with a teacher so you really speak and learn Spanish the entire time. I love all the teachers there and we are able to have many fun and interesting conversations ranging from girls to politics. It’s nice to have teachers who want to learn about you as well laugh and have fun.
12:30 Cira and I eat lunch at the house where she cooks some sort of amazing food every single day. It makes me feel like I’m back at home.
12:30-6:30 Normally head to the center of the city for a little to just see the city and buy anything if I need it. The market is always fun to go to. It’s incredibly huge and spans 2 or 3 full city blocks whatever you want you will for sure be able to find anything thing you could possibly imagine except apparently a map of Central America which I have looking for. The have things ranging from dried lama fetuses to people who want to read your “alma” or spirit with coca leaves and some sort of cards. Today I bought some DVDs for about 1.50 apiece and some Latin music cds.
6:30-7:15 Cira and I eat dinner, and practice Spanish.
7:15-to when I go to sleep. Usually this contains going out to the “cancha” or basketball court so watch some pick up soccer, maybe going to a little shop where you can play Fifa on Xbox and pool. Some nights I will head out to the Center for a few drinks and just to relax with other students at the school as if I am not relaxing enough already.
This past weekend one of my best friends from the US was leaving so we had a party for her which included lots of Bolivian dancing. I am not sure why but to me it seems like every time I end up dancing a traditional Bolivian dance it always includes a tissue and lots of spinning. A friend from Switzerland who I met last time I was here and is still here working in the Southern part of Bolivia in Tarijah came to visit me and also brought a friend along which was good we had lots of fun. Friday we went to another going away party for a different student and stayed out and danced, ate and drank. Saturday we headed out for dinner at Paprika in which we had a meat fondue which was very very good. Camille and her friend Gasper are from Switzerland and I am slowly learning that the Swiss LOVE fondue. I agree its good but if there is not fondue of some sort they feel there is something missing and maybe even wrong. We went out to a Cuban bar after and played Cacho, a Bolivian dice game, and just hung out. Sunday I went to a soccer game. At the end of the first it was 0-0 and worried that I was in for a boring second half as well soccer wise atleast; however, I was in for a grand surprise. There were six goals in the second half and three red cards. Five of the goals were scored off set pieces. Which is not normal and I felt there could have been a little more active defense on the corners. I will be leaving for Montero either Friday night or a Saturday morning depending on when and if there is a soccer game in Montero. I will be headed back to work at the medical clinics again in Montero and am very excited about returning now that I speak Spanish much better than before.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)