Day 1 in Cochabamba

Monday, September 16^th, 2013

Today was my first full day in Cochabamba, and I will admit it that it was quite the experience. Lydia and I relaxed and ate some breakfast in the morning, and then went to visit Igor’s sister Veltza who lives in the house that our apartment is in. Our apartment is great, two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and laundry on site for 300$ canadian a month. This is very reasonable. Igor informed us that Veltza is a linguist, and speaks Russian fluently. She is very kind and welcoming, and I’m glad I get this sense even with the language barrier. Speaking of such, this barrier brought about a variety of different emotions within me today. We went to see the NGO CENDA’s office where we will be working, and this is the point I believe I felt the most overwhelmed. Not because anyone was rude, simply because I had some feelings of helplessness whilst everyone was discussing the projects and our work in Spanish and I could only sit there and nod pretending in some sense I had at least an idea of what they were talking about...I didn’t. There is a lady there who does speak english so she translated most of the conversation for me, but again I feel like more of an inconvienience in this situation, needing a translator for every word spoken around me. We discussed the work on food sovereignty and food security that we would be completing, along with some presentations about Canadian politics and agriculture that we will present to the CENDA staff during team meetings on the last Monday of each month. CENDA produces a local newspaper with their findings and reports, and travels to boardering cities and villages to sell this newspaper, as well as interview some of the locals who they then feature in the newspaper. I really need to work on learning Spanish, as I feel like this expereince will be uncomfortable for me if not. I can pick up on certain words and sayings, and reading the signage around Cochabamba hasn’t been a problem, it’s mostly just conversation that I’m lacking. It’s a difficult feeling to describe when you can only converse with two people in your own language in a massive city. I would love to be able to converse and meet some of the locals as everyone we’ve met for the most part seems to be very friendly, but unfortunately I’m not able to just yet. Veltza, the lady who owns our apartment and lives on site does not speak much English but has offered to help me in the morning this month and teach me Spanish; which is so kind of her. Pointing at items, writing things down and speaking with someone who does not speak English may be a very interesting way of learning the language. I’m definitely feeling the culture shock today, it seems more than tempting to just stay in bed but I am going to hopefully venture out and see some of the city and go for lunch at a nearby local cafe. I knew this early on there would be some shock and feelings I wasn't quite used to in the comfort of Halifax, NS so I just need to take deep breaths and keep in mind that things will get better here. I know it won't be too long before I adjust and adapt because that's what people do! There's a lot of beauty in this city, kind people and a vast and deep rooted culture that I feel honoured to be able to experience. I will write again this evening to document my feelings througout my second day here in Cochabamba.

I've also been enjoying this tune my Tracy Chapman, for some reason it makes me feel a bit better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ0kh3k0LKE