un mois plus

Our office is closed this week for much needed vacation time. Since my favorite friends Christina and Kate are coming in to town next week and we will be traveling, so I decided to stay in L.P. and collect my thoughts. Plus, I really do not enjoy traveling alone- pretty over that.

This afternoon I decided to venture to my old neighborhood, up into the black market (real name: Mercado Negro). I have been wanting a pair of red, high top, Chuck Taylors and I was feeling lucky. My luck died after asking 10 stall owners if they carried a size 10. 8 gave me a quick NO, one said the pair I was holding (a size 7) was in fact a 10- do I look a) blind o b) stupid, the 10th said "yes", went to storage, came back and without making eye contact handed me a laced size 8. Seriously- do I look stupid. He didn't even react when I pointed out the clear OCHO on the sneaker. Just a shrug, and most likely he honestly thought I could make it work. He isn't the first Bolivian to try to convince me that I should wear an 8, that I am just making up my toes existence.

The afternoon was redeemed when I got on a mini bus with a "vocero" (boy that yells out the buses route) with an EXCELLENT lisp. THeis de Agosto, THan Miguiel, uno-THincuenta. A great moment. It's the little things that keep me sane.

In other news, I am growing less and less motivated to begin applying jobs from here. I mean if one more person mentions the economic crisis in a "good luck with that" tone, I may just never move back to the U.S. and take a job waitressing in Cusco. I am indeed aware of the odds against me, but then again hold strongly to the reality that when people lose money, social problems are heightened- therefore more opportunities in the "social assistance" field. I think I will be fine. But most of all, my lack of motivations comes from really desiring some time when i get back and not having to rush into a new job, city, apt, friend search, etc. I kind of just want to stand still and be. Maybe go for a run, breath some oxygen and sit by running water. Just the little things that keep me sane.

ready for hello(s)

Lately I have been thinking of how ready I am to say hello and how over I am of saying goodbye. As I count down the days to my 8th move (Waco, Santiago, Tokyo, Baltimore, Bangkok, L.A., La Paz...) in the last 4 years, I am facing the routine of taking in what this experience has been and anticipating what the next will bring. I know it will take a lot more than just a few weeks to let thing soak in and settle, but I like to get a bit of a head start- especially since I have the apt to myself and an upcoming week-long break from work.

While I have been genuinely blessed by the many places, experiences and most of all people I have met over the past few years, I am ready for some repeats. Bring on familiar faces and already experienced places, I am ready to say hello again. I am ready to relive old times and take a walk down memory lane. I am ready to reintroduce myself to people and assure them that I am mostly the same. mostly. OH I am so ready for hello!

As for the song posted bellow, if you know me- then you know. And if you don't, well then you should check out Tracy Chapman, she's an amazing artist.

Change, by Tracy Chapman

If you knew that you would die today
Saw the face of god and love
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that love can break your heart
When you're down so low that you cannot fall
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad, how good, does it need to get?
How many losses? how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget,
Makes you change
Makes you change

If you knew that you would be alone
Knowing right, being wrong,
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that you would find a truth 
That would bring a pain that can't be soothed
Would you change?
Would you change?

How bad, how good, does it need to get?
How many losses? how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget,
Makes you change
Makes you change

Are you so up right
You can't be bent
If it comes to blows
Are you so sure you won't be crawling
If not for the good why why risk falling
Why risk falling?

If everything you think you know
Makes your life unbearable
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you'd broken every rule and vow
And hard times come to bring you down
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you knew that you would die today,
If you saw the face of God and loved
Would you change?
Would you change?

If you saw the face of God and loved
If you saw the face of God and loved
Would you change?
Would you change? 

I live here and haven't heard of this...

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/10/chagas.bolivia.deadly/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Sigo Viva

Still alive. A busy month. 

Working on an update.

Harder than I expected.

Processing the past 9 months.

Awaiting what the next few could bring. 

More on life pronto.

controversial clothing

Last Sunday I joined two friends to take on the El Alto market, a place where you can purchase everything from a needle to a car.   Bangkok's Jadujak marked was nothing compared to this. We left the south zone to head up and 9 a.m. and didn't get back till 16:00.  A days work that paid off beautifully,  spending 55 Bolivianos ($7.75) on 3 blouses, 3 sweaters AND a pair of jeans (that thankfully fit- dressing sheets are only in the more expensive stalls a.k.a. $10 jeans v $3).  All items were used of course, but if you know me well that is pretty much what I wear.  Used, cheap office and grubby sweats fill my closet. 

The controversy does not lie what I bought, but in the clothing that is being sold.  Since it is used and not made in Bolivia, the government has banned it from being further imported.  Over the past year the government has decided that importing uses "american" clothing hurts the local economy and Bolivian clothing manufacturers. Most Bolivians choose used over new, stating that the quality is better.  So far no more deliveries of Value Village/Goodwill rejects have entered the country, but there is still tons and tons in warehouses waiting to be sold.  Officials had threatened to burn the remaining clothes, but after an initial series of protests decided to give the vendors 6 months to sale out. 

Well, the 6 months are up and there are still tons of chompas (word used for sweaters here) that need to be sold.  Over the last few months both sides, a.k.a the vendors at the market v. the local clothing makers, have raised up against each other and the government.  Here that means an endless series of marches/protests/noise making/blocking of major city streets to gain attention and maybe, just maybe find a solution. Not sure how that works, but its all in the cultural taking in of things.  I actually missed the semi-nude march in downtown L.P. and was very very disappointed.  

The moral to this story, among many is: reduce, reuse, recycle- BUT keep it within the U.S. since your waist is causing controversy and forcing me to walk 1/2 an hour though city street that are blocked by angry clothing people.  Although, I am thankful for the cheap finds, even if they did belong to your late Aunt Elsa. 

retreat

For those who are interested or those who are ready my blog out of obligation, the retreat was a success. I find it hard to choose adjectives to describe a retreat on sexual abuse, so I will keep this to a minimal. Pastors and leaders were very moved and motivated to start informing, educating and working with their local communities on the topic. The majority of women who attended (around 50) and a few men spoke with our speaker or counselor about past abuse. For many of them it was the first time to voice their pain. Three support groups for survivors of sexual abuse will start this week!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!