February...

Time is passing rather quickly right now as it is already the end of February, but of course having my parents and others from church visit has helped pass the time. At first it was an adjustment having them here since they are foreign to my Bolivian reality, but I easily adjusted to their presence. I enjoyed working with them at the day care--part of the reason for coming was to help with a work project--, showing them around and introducing them to the people I have been living with for the past six months. Their time here passed quicker than I had anticipated or wanted, but I have adjusted to my normal routine since their departure. As normal as it can be during Carnival anyways.

I had learned about Carnival in the Spanish class my final semester at Hesston College and I was anxious to experience it first hand. Hearing my host brothers talk non-stop about the festival and listening to all the propaganda also fueled my anticipation. Therefore Sunday afternoon my host brother and I dressed in our oldest clothes and headed downtown to participate in a massive water balloon and paint fight. After about four hours we then returned home soaked and covered in paint from head to toe. Definitely a worthwhile experience we both decided to repeat the following day. However after two days of having people smear paint on your face, having party foam sprayed at your eyes and mouth, and getting soaked by water balloons, we decided to call it quits.

Tuesday we relaxed at home and participated in the custom of giving thanks to the Pacha Mama (mother earth). This included presenting a burnt offering of different foods and of course fire works for some added noise. We then threw confetti and watched the smoke from the offering fill the house which is supposed to bring good luck and a good harvest. I realize this may strike some readers as odd or unnecessary, but it was definitely a unique cultural experience to witness. Afterwards we shared a celebration lunch of Spicy chicken, chunyo (dehydrated potatoes covered in a peanut sauce), yucca (same family as the potato), rice and soup. It was a well needed day of rest after a busy month of visitors and the biggest celebration of the year.

Currently I have resumed my regular routine of working in the library. I have been living in Santa Cruz now for two and a half months and it is a wonderful feeling to be adjusted to my new work and new host family. Again thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. Chao.