Moving In

Sunday afternoon I was introduced to Doña Natiz who will be my host mom for the next five weeks while I am living here in Santa Cruz. She cleans at the MCC center which is convenient because we can travel together back and forth in the morning and afternoon; about an hour bus ride. This allows us to have some good conversations (I try to anyways) so long as the bus isn´t overcrowded with people. Which given the fact that they cram as many people as possible into what looks like VW micro buses, many times we ride in silence. She has been very helpful though and is a wonderful host mom. I am so thankful for the family´s generosity and hospitality even though it must be inconvenient, but I know they do not see it like that. She enjoys showing me off to her friends and explaining that I am her "new" son. Doña Natiz also has two other sons which live with her.
My spanish thus far is improving, but I have also been quite frustrated lately. I have never heard people talk so quickly in my life. I sympathize with persons who are new to a different environment. Not being able to express my thoughts clearly and accurately, do to my relatively small vocabulary, has also been rather annoying. People have told me that I will be fluent in no time, it is very hard for me to believe them. I realize the posibility, but right now it is just hard to imagine myself speaking fluently. However, my spanish teacher is very helpful and I have millions of opportunities to practice. Yet, thoughts and prayers would be much appreciated nonetheless. I am just so thankful I have a chance to get adjusted before traveling to Concepcion. Worrying about a job would make my experience a little more stressful at the moment.
I must keep this post rather short since my host mother has just motioned for me to hurry up. I do not have a lot of time to write about everything and if anyone has questions, please feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Blessings.

Arrival in Santa Cruz

I arrived in Santa Cruz, Boliva at 10:15 Sunday morning exhausted after spending all day Saturday in the airport and finally leaving at one in the morning on Sunday. There are six other SALTERS serving in Bolivia and we were all very enthusiastic about the fact that we finally arrived! I always thought my arrival was so far away when I first accepted the position last April, but can hardly believe it has arrived so quickly. We spent the rest of the day Sunday touring the MCC center and resting since we were rather tired. I am especially thankful for no jet-lag since Santa Cruz is only an hour ahead of central time.
Today was my first full day here in Bolivia. The reality is still settling in and I expect a little culture shock to kick in. We studied culural habits during our session today and will be learning more about the political situation and other customs this coming week. I begin language training next week and also move in with my host family on Saturday or Sunday, but am currently staying in the MCC guest house. My day consisted of walking around the city with the other SALTERs and MCC workers in order to become aquainted with the busy city. Yet by the time I memorize the micro system (public transportation) and where everything is, I will be heading out to Concepcion to begin my assignment. I am thankful for my month in Santa Cruz though because it allows me to study the language and become more familiar with the culture before I begin my job.
I will admit I have spoken a decent amount of English since my arrival, but they said the headaches will begin next week during language training. I will also be living away from the team with a host family and thus surrounded by those who know little English. This is exciting and hopefully I will be fluent in no time at all (I pray anyways). Dios te Bendiga.

Orientation

I arrived in Akron, PA on August 10 anxious and excited for this opportunity. I checked into my room in the Asia house and met my roommate who would also be living in Bolivia. Orientation is at a complex in Akron which has a very communal atmosphere. There are four different houses with names from the different continents around the world which host the 125 SALT, IVEP and YAMEN participants. A kitchen and meeting place are here as well. It is impossible to get bored because there are plenty of opportunities to interact with others.
All three programs have a combined orientation. IVEPers are persons from other countries coming to the United States and Canada and YAMEN is a young Anabaptist exchange program. My house consists of persons from Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia, United States and Canada. After a fun filled day of seminars, we spend the evenings talking in Spanish, drinking coffee and learning about one another's cultures. I have greatly appreciated this because I am able to practice Spanish and develop friendships with persons from around the world. Soccer is another activity enjoyed by all. Usually we play SALTers (U.S and Canada) vs. IVEPers (rest of the world). This has been a highlight for me because I haven't been able to play this past summer. I also enjoy playing against some good competition. I had to adjust playing barefoot though. I am just disappointed because we will not have a combined re-entry. The IVEPers have difficulty getting U.S. visas and thus theirs will be held in Canada next July. I will not be able to see these amazing and wonderful people again which is rather disappointing, but I am thankful for the opportunity nonetheless. I have one more day of orientation before leaving for Bolivia on Saturday. I am excited my departure is rapidly approaching and am so thankful this is finally becoming a reality. Please continue to remember me in your thoughts and prayers. Blessings.