3 weeks!

Well we've been here for 3 whole weeks now and it's still new and exciting. This past week was a bit more typical of what we're supposed to be doing. It was a very exhausting week. We had our first class here in Santa Cruz last Monday night and we have the 2nd one tonight. It went alright, although a lot is desired in the whole organizational view of things. Last wednesday we spent almost the entire day walking around La Guardia before our business class there that evening. We split up to try to find the members of our class and talk to them before our class that night. Ben and I didn't find anyone. Directions are not anyone's strongpoint. It is also very difficult to find someone's house when the map is upside down and there are no street signs on the actual streets. While we were doing this, we stopped in a median thing to look at where we thought we were, and all of a sudden two very big and very alive bulls were right next to us! We were very startled and kinda scared. There was a boy with them and he eventually led them away from us.

Thursday was a national holiday here so we didn't have to work. It was a catholic holiday called "corpus cristi" meaning the body of christ day (which I probably spelled wrong). On our day off we slept in for a very long time, we relaxed, and then we went to the puppy district! I wanted to see how they do "pet stores" here in Bolivia just because there are so many dogs walking around in the streets, do they even have ones for sale? I was curious. I also thought they must not watch The Price is Right out here, which would explain why nothing has been spayed or neutered. Anyway, it turned out that when we asked for the taxi to take us to the place where they sell animals, he took us to this street that was full of street venders selling animals. Literally. Not shops you go in and have a look around, but cages on cages full of puppies of all kinds, rabbits, more birds than I've ever seen, and fish too. The just like the street, in place of stores. There were a ton of different puppies: saint bernards, german shepherds, border collies, chiuahuas, dalmations, great danes, rotweilers, dacshounds, and lots and lots of little fluffy things. All pilled into these cages with no water and no food. It was pretty sad. A lot of them looked like they could've used a couple more weeks with mom. It definitley was an experience.

Friday we did the same thing that we did on wednesday. We went back to La Guardia and looked for people. This time we only found one person. Still, it was hot and dusty, and rather agrivating. We sure did get our exercise though! Friday night we went to a little restraunt around the corner from our house that Ben had eyeballed. We got it to go and it was soooo delicious! We got two very good very big steaks, a lot of a rice type dish, a salad, and papas for 25 bolivianos. That's like $2. Here's what it looked like:
It was so delicious, I hope we can go back and get more soon!

Saturday morning we had our english class with only about 9 kids this time. This week's class we learned the days of the week, and how to tell time. It was very hot, and when you have that, something trying to be taught/learned, and 9 kids ranging in age from 5-10, it becomes hard to keep them focused. So after class we taught them how to make paper airplanes and they were entertained until their parents came to get them.

And of course, they all love Ben who plays the role of teacher and jungle gym each week.

We enjoyed church on sunday at the chapel that is only about 5 blocks from our house. We sing without piano or organ, which is interesting, and Ben said it was a good meeting so I believe him. It's been pretty hot and humid the last several days. Apparently winter is over. Ben's found that he can play soccer for several hours with our manager, Luis, and his soccer team on Saturdays and I've discovered that I don't like washing clothes in a 5 gallon bucket, but that our balcony is a prime tanning spot. It's been a good week and we are looking forward to doing even more this week. My spanish is getting better and it's really great to be able to start to speak on my own in their language. Ben has been very patient with me and is still my dictionary and translator most of the time. Until next time, Happy Summer!

Marian and Ben