Sunday started with an unexpected power outage that left us with nothing much to do. It gave me a good reason to go to church. There is a Catholic Church just a few blocks away. Come to think about it, I don't think there are many offer kinds of Christians here. I didn't understand much of what the pastor was saying but some of the traditions were the same.
After lunch and a walk around the town, I came back to the power being restored. A Monopoly game had started between a few of the other volunteers and after that game was over we all went to Burger King because when you go to Bolivia, it's a must to go to Burger King.
It tasted similar to North America. The fries weren't as salty but it still tasted normal. I noticed how normal the prices were as they were more accurate to what you would pay back home.
We went home and watched Netflix again. They started a series called House of Cards. It is kinda interesting but but I'm not sure why they have to use Fake presidents for the story. Would be much more interesting if Donald Trump was the show
Weather is getting warmer here as we are nearing the end of winter. Still no sign of any clouds.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Day 9 - Bolivia Trip
The power was out today at the Volunteer house so I'm just getting to this now. Yesterday was my first day off where I have been addapted to the time change and everything.
There are basketball courts just down the street from where we are staying. Me and my friend wanted to go shoot some hoops but on Saturday's there is soccer being played on the courts. After watching a bit we decided to avoid the heat.
I found a computer to use in the late morning, got caught up on the North American news and such and it's where I'm writting my blog from right now. Only problem is that it's a Spanish keyboard so every word is telling me I spelled it wrong and the letters are in slightly a different order.
No meal yesterday but we went out and found a place to eat on the corner. Hambuger was fine but not what I was used to but the price was right.
After a few of us watched the soccer game, most of us went to this Pool party. I haven't played Pool for awhile and I'm still unclear of the rules. Beer tasted good and that was the only thing that mattered.
Days go by fast down here. So cold in the mornings and the sun goes down by 6. Once it is down, it gets dark in a hurry.
There are basketball courts just down the street from where we are staying. Me and my friend wanted to go shoot some hoops but on Saturday's there is soccer being played on the courts. After watching a bit we decided to avoid the heat.
I found a computer to use in the late morning, got caught up on the North American news and such and it's where I'm writting my blog from right now. Only problem is that it's a Spanish keyboard so every word is telling me I spelled it wrong and the letters are in slightly a different order.
No meal yesterday but we went out and found a place to eat on the corner. Hambuger was fine but not what I was used to but the price was right.
After a few of us watched the soccer game, most of us went to this Pool party. I haven't played Pool for awhile and I'm still unclear of the rules. Beer tasted good and that was the only thing that mattered.
Days go by fast down here. So cold in the mornings and the sun goes down by 6. Once it is down, it gets dark in a hurry.
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Day 8 - Bolivia Trip
I´ve been at this for a week now and it feels good. I miss a few things like my phone and such but only during some of the day.
Bolivia is a country of just over 10 Million and 60% of the population live in poverty. Lunch seems to be the main meal of the day here, most shops close down for lunch hour.
At 11am yesterday we had our bi-weekly meeting that is mostly in spanish and therefore I only understand a little bit of it.
Lunch was pasta with a patato sauce. It was very good like anything our Bolivian Grandma cooks.
At the school yesterday, we did a craft for the first part and then played soccer. Lots of goals happen when it's only 3 on 3. I really enjoy how talented the kids are all things considered.
After we got back there was a massive Ping Pong tournament held at the house. Singles didn't go very well but I managed to get to the finals in doubles with my Danish partner. Hot Dogs and pop was served along with popcorn. It was the last day for our California volunteer who is heading back to school at UC Davis next week.
We finished the movie Lion last night. A bit of a sad ending but good movie anyway.
The volunteer house is located in a nice area. Lots of shops and places to eat close by. At a stop light in Bolivia, there is a countsown clock that tells you when the light will turn green. I think that is super cool.
Bolivia is a country of just over 10 Million and 60% of the population live in poverty. Lunch seems to be the main meal of the day here, most shops close down for lunch hour.
At 11am yesterday we had our bi-weekly meeting that is mostly in spanish and therefore I only understand a little bit of it.
Lunch was pasta with a patato sauce. It was very good like anything our Bolivian Grandma cooks.
At the school yesterday, we did a craft for the first part and then played soccer. Lots of goals happen when it's only 3 on 3. I really enjoy how talented the kids are all things considered.
After we got back there was a massive Ping Pong tournament held at the house. Singles didn't go very well but I managed to get to the finals in doubles with my Danish partner. Hot Dogs and pop was served along with popcorn. It was the last day for our California volunteer who is heading back to school at UC Davis next week.
We finished the movie Lion last night. A bit of a sad ending but good movie anyway.
The volunteer house is located in a nice area. Lots of shops and places to eat close by. At a stop light in Bolivia, there is a countsown clock that tells you when the light will turn green. I think that is super cool.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Day 7 - Bolivia Trip t
I haven't shaved yet, the tap water takes too long to warm up. I want to soon though because having a beard makes me feel old.
What I find interesting about Bolivan money is that there are 50 cent peices and 5 dollar coins. Also, when you buy something there is no tax added to the price.
Been eating a lot of the same food but yesterday was the first day I was full after all three meals.
I was placed at the other school yesterday. Kids had fun playing soccer. I was goalie for one of teams. Made a few good saves but didn't get much help from my defense on a few of the goals.
Last night after dinner at a another family run restaurant we watched the movie Lion which was really impressive. Unfortunately, the movie stopped working with 15 minutes to go.
Bedtime is usually late but it feels normal because I'm 3 hours ahead.
What I find interesting about Bolivan money is that there are 50 cent peices and 5 dollar coins. Also, when you buy something there is no tax added to the price.
Been eating a lot of the same food but yesterday was the first day I was full after all three meals.
I was placed at the other school yesterday. Kids had fun playing soccer. I was goalie for one of teams. Made a few good saves but didn't get much help from my defense on a few of the goals.
Last night after dinner at a another family run restaurant we watched the movie Lion which was really impressive. Unfortunately, the movie stopped working with 15 minutes to go.
Bedtime is usually late but it feels normal because I'm 3 hours ahead.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Day 6 - Bolivia Trip
My bed is comfortable, not as comfortable as home but I have slept on worse before. There isn't much to do in the morning because it is very chili. Found Harry Potter in Spanish yesterday.
Breakfast is usually buns and scrambled eggs. It's filling because lunch is usually just around the corner.
Most streets are paved around the area I'm staying. Lots of roundabouts and interesting but old streets but that makes for a unique atmosphere. Drove past a Burger King yesterday, that was cool.
Lunch was Patato Soup. It was good and there was seconds.
With the kids yesterday we did math and more basketball. This tine we played bumb and steal the bacon. A few players are pretty good considering the lack of coaching they have had. It's sad that a few of them wear the same clothes everyday and looked like they haven't had a bath in weeks.
Last night we ate at a house that the families garage was turned into there restaurant. Chicken and cheesy rice was extremely good.
Right by our house there is a park and there was a band practicing for Bolivia's Independence Day coming up. The band was vey good and entertaining to listen to last night.
Breakfast is usually buns and scrambled eggs. It's filling because lunch is usually just around the corner.
Most streets are paved around the area I'm staying. Lots of roundabouts and interesting but old streets but that makes for a unique atmosphere. Drove past a Burger King yesterday, that was cool.
Lunch was Patato Soup. It was good and there was seconds.
With the kids yesterday we did math and more basketball. This tine we played bumb and steal the bacon. A few players are pretty good considering the lack of coaching they have had. It's sad that a few of them wear the same clothes everyday and looked like they haven't had a bath in weeks.
Last night we ate at a house that the families garage was turned into there restaurant. Chicken and cheesy rice was extremely good.
Right by our house there is a park and there was a band practicing for Bolivia's Independence Day coming up. The band was vey good and entertaining to listen to last night.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Day 5 - Bolivia Trip
The mornings are cold here. With it being a older house and such it can feel like your living in a cabin. With water being expensive, generally showering doesn't happen every day. When it does, water takes a long time to heat up. The water and the cold evenings are my only complaints so far.
Volunteers are from France, Belguim, Spain and Denmark. There is also one volunteer from California. Some of them speak Good English.
Yesterday morning we went to the outdoor mall. Stores are inexpensive and good selection. If your wondering, fidget spinners are still popular down here.
It's also nice to go for a walk along the streets. Coke signs are everywhere. Weather is perfect, haven't seen a cloud yet.
Lunch yesterday was Roast Beef and mashed potatoes. Fantastic again.
At the school yesterday we played basketball. Limited in the drills we could do because of only 1 hoop and 3 balls it we managed to do a relay drill and a variation of bump. I won one of the rounds to the kids surprise.
Dinner last night was at a pub, food was good but the portion size was small. Our food took awhile and the waitress decided to play a game of Yahtzee while we were waiting for the food. I got a good chuckle out of that.
Starting to know my way around. Feels weird without google maps. Everything is so cheap compared to North America. I'm liking it. Need to find a way to get MLB.TV going as baseball is still on at 1-2 am here. I kinda like eastern time.
Volunteers are from France, Belguim, Spain and Denmark. There is also one volunteer from California. Some of them speak Good English.
Yesterday morning we went to the outdoor mall. Stores are inexpensive and good selection. If your wondering, fidget spinners are still popular down here.
It's also nice to go for a walk along the streets. Coke signs are everywhere. Weather is perfect, haven't seen a cloud yet.
Lunch yesterday was Roast Beef and mashed potatoes. Fantastic again.
At the school yesterday we played basketball. Limited in the drills we could do because of only 1 hoop and 3 balls it we managed to do a relay drill and a variation of bump. I won one of the rounds to the kids surprise.
Dinner last night was at a pub, food was good but the portion size was small. Our food took awhile and the waitress decided to play a game of Yahtzee while we were waiting for the food. I got a good chuckle out of that.
Starting to know my way around. Feels weird without google maps. Everything is so cheap compared to North America. I'm liking it. Need to find a way to get MLB.TV going as baseball is still on at 1-2 am here. I kinda like eastern time.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Day 4 - Bolivia Trip
Monday was the first day working with the kids. Morning went by fast but I was able to get to the bank and exchange my American money for Bolivanos. They don't take American money despite reading this online. Also, very few places take credit cards.
Returned back for lunch where there was a very well cooked meal of meat, rice, baked patato and vegetables. Very filling and felt good.
After lunch we got ready to go to the school which wasn't much of a school by North American standards. Two classrooms that could fit 12 kids or so. The kids could sort of point out where Canada was on a map.
They colored for an hour and then went to the playground before ending with snack. Snack was a small glass of milk. They were able to understand my broken French better than my good English but they were giviving me attention at least.
The children live in small 1 room houses with no electricity. I assume it must be hard to pass the time.
After we got back to our house, we had pasta for dinner as it was the last dinner for one of the volunteers. We went out to the bar late at night and the bar played good music. The city turns into a ghost town at night because the locals find this weather cold. I'm still in shorts though.
Returned back for lunch where there was a very well cooked meal of meat, rice, baked patato and vegetables. Very filling and felt good.
After lunch we got ready to go to the school which wasn't much of a school by North American standards. Two classrooms that could fit 12 kids or so. The kids could sort of point out where Canada was on a map.
They colored for an hour and then went to the playground before ending with snack. Snack was a small glass of milk. They were able to understand my broken French better than my good English but they were giviving me attention at least.
The children live in small 1 room houses with no electricity. I assume it must be hard to pass the time.
After we got back to our house, we had pasta for dinner as it was the last dinner for one of the volunteers. We went out to the bar late at night and the bar played good music. The city turns into a ghost town at night because the locals find this weather cold. I'm still in shorts though.
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