B - 47 @ COCHABAMBA

El 6 de Febrero - 2008
We are known as B-47 in PC (Peace Corps) acronyms: B stands for Bolivia, 47 is our group number. We are also known as PCT’s (Peace Corps Trainees), which we will be known as until April 18th (date of swearing in) when we become PCV’s (Peace Corps Volunteers. There are 31 of us from all over the U.S. in this group of three series: Natural Resources, Environmental Education, and Agricultural Extension. I fall under the Environmental Education program and have just recently begun my training, therefore I will hold off on the details of classes/training until later.

I have been here for just over a week now and the Bolivian way of life has become my way of living. I wake up early, absorb loads of information, observe/live in a tranquilo culture that is distinctly Bolivian, and rest early. The Bolivian way of life is full of colors: men and women who work very hard, rest hard, and play hard. This past week we were lucky to have enjoyed Carnaval, which consists of several of the larger cities enjoying an extended weekend for la cha’lla and k’oa, (Quechuan traditions). Each of the larger cities has their own distinct weekends/weeks, Cochabamba beginning on the second Monday in February and ending on Saturday. The Quechua traditions of la cha’lla and k’oa entail burning of eucalyptus bark (which is plentiful here in Cochabamba) and knickknacks, in either the yard of your home, business or farm (sometimes all three). Many here drink chicha (which is the traditional alcoholic drink made from corn) and cerveza while pouring some out onto the earth to thank Pachamama (mother earth) for the goodness she has brought throughout the year. My family partook in la cha’lla, in our yard at the house, with one liter of cerveza that was shared between three. We also decorated all of our fruit trees with confetti. However, what Carnaval is most known for is its water fights. Everywhere you walk you are bound to return drenched from globos (balloons) filled with water (I have been told that in some parts of the country kids fill the balloons with paint, dirty water, and sometimes urine as well – fortunately for me I have yet to be hit with one of these :P ). Because my family is not very big on drinking in the locales/chicharias (bars or restaurants of a sort that primarily serve alcoholic drinks) I chose to stay in the compound with them for the majority of the ‘big days’ during Carnaval for bonding purposes but also so as not to be bombarded by groups of kids with water guns and balloons.

My family is fantastic. I live in a castle here. I have my own private room with a balcony overlooking many eucalyptus trees that are homes to many different species of birds that sing as I wake and all throughout the day. I share a home with a wonderful mother who has three kids; two sons who are 24 and 21 and a daughter who is 16. During the summer vacations (December through February) she also hosts her mother (mi abuela, who speaks primarily Quechua and who is unfortunately blind) and her two nieces who are 16 and 14. The family owns three geese, 4 turkeys, 4 dogs, and 2 cats – all live outside and think they are guards of the home. The comida here is very carbohydrate heavy. Every day I eat three meals which typically consist of bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, meat, vegetables, and sometimes a fried egg. It is remarkable to observe and be a part of this particular society outside of Cochabamba… my home is humongous compared to many of the other homes where the 30 other trainees are staying. I am fortunate to have a flush toilet and a luke-warm shower. We have many animals, but the majority of the families in this community have more, typically several cows, pigs, and guinea pigs as well. And of course the dogs….. there are thousands!

Cochabamba is a beautiful city. It is in a valley, with an altitude of about 8,500ft, between the Tunari mountain range (which I have a great view of from the top of my house). The first few days I would find myself up on the roof/third floor of our house to sit and knit and stare at the beauty that surrounds me. But now with training I find less and less time to do so. Our weeks are now very full with classes M-F from 8:30am to usually 6pm (4 hours of language class per day, and afternoons full of technical, diagnostic and cultural training). There are many wonderful people in this program and I feel very lucky to be here. But, it is also very overwhelming; there is so much information to absorb in only 11 weeks.
The challenge is on and I am ready - until the next time.
(Foto: a shot of Tunari from the training center)

PS: we were able to watch the Superbowl here, via Fox Mexico! Go G-MEN! J