I've been trying to find things to keep me busy here, and starting next week I'll start volunteering at the children's cultural center. I'll be helping out with the gym class... which is ironic because that used to be my least favorite class in school. I will also be volunteering in a local orphanage. Its the same orphanage my grandmother was actually raised in for 15 years of her life. Her father died during the war, and his last wish was for his brother to help take care of his kids. He knew his wife could not take care of the 4 girls by herself. So his brother came back and told the girls to pack up, and he put them all in an orphanage. My grandmother was only 3 at the time. I didn't know this until recently. Her and her sisters all grew up together there together.
I've been meeting more family here in Bolivia. I have alot, and I'm getting confused as to who is my aunt, greant aunt, cousin, etc. I need to start some kind of family tree... the first thing they typically mention when they meet me is how tall I am. And one aunt called me "gordo" ...she is now my least favorite aunt. hehe just kidding.
Here are 2 aunts and my abuela looking at one of many photo albums dedicated to yours truly...
Tomorrow I'll be heading to Bolivia's capital, La Paz, to say goodbye to my dad. He's taking off and without him I will have to resort to a Spanish/English dictionary more often :(
Anyway, here are some odd sightings I've seen around town:
There is a restaurant called "El Negrito" that I think is kinda funny, in a politically incorrect way. Above the sign is another sign featuring a black chef holding his two thumbs up.
Seems like everyday this week, schools in the area have been having parades down the city center. The school bands come out to play and all the students, teachers and alumni dress in their uniforms and march in unison.
Mangoes are quite a bit larger down here. My dad brought me one the other day and it was the size of a newborn baby.
