Tercera Semana

My third week was consumed mostly by work and taking pictures for my project. I cannot complain at all because my coworkers take me to the most amazing parts of the city to capture images for the nine brochures I am making for them. The weather continues to be beautiful and the food is delicious. I created and printed my first brochure for Tinku and joined the psychologist on staff for our first workshop in a local high school. Tomorrow (Sun. 6/19) I'm going to visit Graciela in Anzaldo for a huge food festival. I can't believe I have been here for almost a month. In the next week I need to turn in my grant proposal as well as continue working on my project. Next week there are two major holidays, one, the Winter Solstice or Andean New Year, and two San Juan, which started because it was said to be the coldest night of the year. My coworkers warned me that people burn everything including tires and other dangerous materials so the contamination in the city is horrible following this holiday. They said people with asthma have an especially difficult time with breathing after San Juan, so I am hoping it won't affect me too much! 

This is winter?

Two weeks later and I am slowly adjusting to life in Bolivia. I finished my first full week of work, and although some days were more difficult than others, I am starting to feel more comfortable in the office and with my family, making this experience even better. Before departing I was aware that it is currently winter in Bolivia, however winter here is warmer than any summer I have ever experienced in Seattle. The mornings and evenings are a lot colder, however through out the day the sun fills the beautiful blue sky and radiates down into the busy city of Cochabamba. I spent this weekend climbing the mountain of El Christo (climbed about 1800 stairs), relaxing in the sun, and of course eating more food then I can actually handle. This upcoming week is going to be more difficult than others because I have to write my grant and successfully plan out my project. I hope everything goes well! 

The First Full Week of Work & Familia

Mi perro Sazón 

The above pictures are taken either through out the city, or from the rooftop of Alicia's apartment complex. On Sunday June 5th, Alicia, Maria, and I sat in a cafe for a couple hours planning out weekend trips and reflecting on the previous days. All of us were a bit overwhelmed to say the least on our first day of work. Not only was the language somewhat difficult, traveling to and from our organization, and the fear of not knowing what we were actually doing was present in all of us. Having Sunday to free our minds and adventure through the streets of Cochabamba was exactly what we needed. Above, there is also a picture of my hermanita (Laurita) and I. On Monday (6/6) was Día del Maestro (teacher appreciation day), so Laurita didn't have school, and upon arriving at work at 8:30am I found out I didn't have to work that day either. Laurita and I spent the day playing volleyball in the park, reading in the sun (yes I am reading a book), eating, and drawing (my ten year old sister draws better then I do...). I think Laurita could tell I was homesick because she wrote me the cutest card; spending the carefree day with her also helped me de-stress and realize how amazing this opportunity truly is. 

Meeting the familia

June 2: we all left orientation and moved in with our host families. Above you can see all of our luggage and below is the view from my family's balcony. I can see the Christo and La Universidad Catolíca. My family is absolutely amazing and so caring. During breakfast this morning, mi madre Fanny began to prepare almuerzo while reggaeton played on the radio. Today (6/3) is my first day of work at Tinku, I hope everything goes well! 

Un día en el parque

The above pictures are from a hike we went on today. The view from the top was beautiful, however the altitude really affected the climb up. Looking down you could see the entire city of Cochabamba and the mountains surrounding it.