Settling In

Good morning!

Lydia and I have settled into our humble yet adorable apartment in Cochabamba. It has two bedrooms, small kitchen and a nice bathroom. I feel comfortable here, which is a very nice feeling. I have also determined that the only real time I feel overwhelmed is as soon as we leave a "home like" environment and venture into the city. I'm trying to establish why this is, and what makes me so uncomfortable about being downtown. It's much different than Halifax, no marked bus stops, it just kinda stops wherever on the street and locals just know. The worst part for me is crossing the street! You literally never know when it's okay to cross, and the exact moment you feel a slight sense that it may be okay....nope, taxi comes raging through nearly slamming into you. I guess in a sense that's really not THAT different from Spring Garden Rd. in Halifax.

Here is a photo of my bedroom! Pretty cute.

I'm going to remain optimistic about this experience, because I know at the end of the 88 days (yes I've been counting) I will have learned so much about myself, and this culture. You can read about poverty and the hardships other countries face, but no matter what extent of reading I've done, I don't think it could have ever prepared me for the realities here in Bolivia. Even in just the short period of time I've been here, it's truly opened my eyes up to just how lucky I am to be Canadian, and have such a high quality of life. People here did not chose to be poor, no one does. It has brought into fruition just how fortunate I am to be able to turn my tap on in Halifax, and drink the water without having to worry about contracting diseases such as cholera, hepatitis and Chagas, a parasitic disease that causes intestinal problems and early death by heart attack. In 3 months time I am able to fly home, and spend time with family and friends and enjoy the Christmas season with plenty of food, a roof over my head, and clean drinking water, these things alone are a luxury to some of the people in this country suffering from immense poverty. I am going to push through my periods of frustration and culture shock, and really give myself the opportunity to adapt, adjust and take in as much as I can.

I wanted to try to eat a bit healthier living here, but that has also proved to be a bit of a challenge. Potatoes, rice, milk products, and bread, lots and lots of bread are common staples in the Bolivian diet. Lydia and I went to the "IC Norte" which is the Canadian equivalent to "Sobeys" and were able to pick up some of our groceries. I found a jar of Vlassic dill pickles and it was somewhat embarrassing how excited I was. Lots of fruits, vegetables, some brown rice, yogurt and a couple snacks for when we are at work. We sat at our dinner table once we got home and enjoyed a pre-cooked chicken (so good) and some rice that Igor taught Lydia how to prepare and it was AMAZING. The bottle of wine we bought had a cork, and we didn't have access to a wine opener so Lydia spent a few minutes battling with it, and eventually won.

I am feeling optimistic and content this morning, despite my ferocious battle with a foreign species of hornet who decided he wanted to hangout with me in my room. I did not appreciate the company however, so after about 45 minutes of debating with myself which method I would use to be rid of him, I decided to spray him with just a bit of bug spray, enough to confuse him, and then lured him out my window and quickly shut it. I won! Today is going to be a good day, I can feel it. Lydia and I will be walking to CENDA's office around 2:30 P.M so we can get to know our route to work a bit, and see some of the things around the area we are living. I'm looking forward to this, and the rest of time here, as I feel like it will just keep getting better. Not everyday will be fantastic, but there will be fantastic days here and I look forward to those. I am going to return to my homeland a new woman, with new perspectives on life and a true realization of just how fortunate I really am.

 That's all for now!