1st post from Bolivia

July 27, 2014

I’m in Bolivia! There were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it here, but I’m here.

I left on Monday the 21st and flew to Dallas where I met up with Adam and Cami for lunch in the car. When I got back into the airport the plane was broken. I should have stayed in Dallas, as I missed my connecting flight in Miami. They tried to get me out on another flight, but gave me the wrong paperwork so they wouldn’t let me thru security. I spent from midnight until 4 am waiting for American Airlines counter to open. They got me a hotel, and said I wouldn’t be able to get to Bolivia until Thursday. I went to the hotel and slept. I kept calling back and they got me out Wednesday night.

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I emailed the director but he didn’t get my email so when I arrived here there was no one to pick me up. Thank goodness for Iphones and free wifi! I called the school and they sent someone to pick me up. They were going out house hunting, but wanted me to rest, so I took a nap. Should have gone out with them. Rosarie (the lady assigned to help us) had 10 teachers to find apartments or houses for. She had so much to do and was stretched thin. There was a driver that would take us places to look. The traffic is crazy here, like in China. I really didn’t get to start looking at apartments until Friday night. There was a 2 bedroom that Kelly and I both liked, and although I had first pick on it, I felt guilty taking it because she didn’t like anything else. I’m way too nice. But they showed me 2 huge houses for just 50$ more a month. One was ready and furnished, so I took it. It’s got 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 2 floors, a maids quarter, kitchen, office, and a wading pool. There is a larger pool down the street and it’s in a gated community, so I feel relatively safe. I’m not even going to use the upstairs, unless I have company. The downstairs is plenty big. I finally moved in last night about 9 pm. We spent the day getting phones and internet set up. This is truly a 3rd world country. It takes forever to get anything done. It was almost 2 hours to get internet set up. 2 hours to get new phones. They couldn’t get my iphone to work here. I’m sad about that because I’m trying to learn how to use a new phone.
Last night before they dropped us off we went shopping at a grocery store. Thank goodness for credit cards cause I’m pretty much out of money after having to put down 1500$ down for rent. They gave us 1200$ to settle in, and will pay 600$ per month towards housing. Because the fridge doesn’t work, I didn’t get much food. They are supposed to replace the fridge tomorrow. I needed a blanket so we went to a market after and I had to bargain for a blanket. It was so nice to know I had a bed. And I slept well.

Several months ago I met a guy on LDS Planet from Bolivia, Julian. We have been facebook since then. I told him I’m not interested in any romantic stuff right off the bat. He is an English teacher. Divorced with 9 children from 3 marriages. Anyway, he works out of town about 4 hours by bus, but comes in every three weeks to stay with his ex-wife, (wouldn’t it be nice to get along that well), and see his kids. He came in a Taxi and picked me up for church. Unfortunately they couldn’t find the place, so we missed taking the sacrament, but heard some of the talks. LOL I couldn’t understand any of it. But it was nice to feel the spirit. After sacrament meeting. After Sunday school we left to go to his wife’s house. He was fixing dinner cause the missionaries were coming for dinner. He made the yummiest chicken, and his ex wife made this really yummy rice mixed with cheese. I visited with the family and tried to practice English. I really am not good at it. But I’m going to give it a good effort. There were 4 missionaries that came. 2 from Peru, one Bolivian and 1 from Florida. It was so nice to talk with him in English. He’s been out a year. Besides his family he says he misses Walmart the most. LOL Shopping here is the pits. I can tell that already. He has a really wonderful family and they made me feel so welcome. The ex wife’s name is Maria and she gave me a Spanish ensign as a gift. It was so nice of her. She invited me back next Sunday to see her first grand daughter be blessed. I really want to keep in touch with this family. They are so nice. I told them they could come here to barbecue. They taught me how to say Mormon in Spanish. Mor-Mo-Na.
There was this weird drink where they mixed dried weeds with sugar and hot water and drank it out of this metal straw. Julian made it in this weird container, and drank out of it, and then he gave it to me to drink out of it. What was I supposed to do? So I did. Then Maria came out and drank out of it, and then the missionaries drank out of it. I’m a germ freak and can’t believe I shared this drink with everyone! Freaked me out! Not doing that again.
I’m worried about gaining weight here. I don’t know how I will walk every morning because it’s dangerous to go out alone. Plus, the food is loaded with carbs! Last night I had a dinner out with other teachers. It was a stir fry on top of French fries with rice on the side. Holy cow! They have these yummy rolls filled with cheese that are so good.