A week and a half after arriving, I finally have the time and energy to write my first blog post! For whoever is reading, I am currently studying abroad in Cochabamba, Bolivia for t
he next four months and hopefully a little more. As my access to the internet is mediocre and sporadic, I can’t promise frequent updates, but I’ll do my best to write about the best things going on here.
I am constantly impressed by the fantastic organization and overall preparation of our program, SIT (School for International Training). Our directors, Heidi and Ismael, are great people. We spent the first four days in a hostel for orientation. Highlights include a spiritual ceremony called a k’oa that is dedicated to the Pachamama (mother earth in Quechua) followed by a delicious vegetarian meal at Ismael’s house. The next day we took a bus up to ‘El Cristo de la Concordia’, an enormous statue of
Christ that overlooks the city. Apparently the statue is a few centimeters taller than the statue in Rio de Janeiro, which is 33 meters tall for the 33 years of Christ’s life. According to the Cochabambinos, this is because Christ was really 33 years old and ‘un poquito más’. From there, we were left alone, divided into pairs, and assigned various locations throughout the city to find, observe, and learn about. Me and Helen, another student, went to the bus terminal, which was bustling with people of all ages and types of dress. It was so invigorating to find our way there only with the help of all the friendly people here.
Now I have been living with m
y homestay family for a week. My parents, Rudy and Janet, are extremely hip. Rudy zooms around the city on his motorcycle and Janet can dance like none other. On top of that, they are both silversmiths and work at home! The oldest daughter, Denise, is away at college in Santa Cruz and Vanet, who lives in the house, is writing and directing a play at age 14! Other family members include Pelucho the poodle and a siamese cat named Isis. They are all extremely generous and friendly. Only problem is they are constantly trying to feed me until I can hardly move. Cochabamba is known throughout Bolivia for its focus on food, so for most families their way of showing they care is through the stomach.
This weekend was especially great because I had several opportunities to escape the crowded and smoggy city. On Friday our entire group went to a nearby rural town called Tarata, which was of great political importance during the colonial era. I visited the factory of Frutte tea company, which we drink in my house here almost every morning and night. I spent most of Saturday hiking with several other students in Parque Nacional Tunari, named after the rugged peak that looms over the city. Then today we went hiking as a family in the outskirts of town! Good weekend. More to come soon!
