Here I am five weeks later…
….much to my surprise (according to my notes), I’ve got a bit to catch up on. I’m living such a normal life here it doesn’t seem worthy to write about, but I’ve been working on this for a few days and want to publish.
I am done working at FOOTPRINTS – The English School of Bolivia. I gave them my letter of resignation with 8 weeks notice, saying I’d work to the end of next week. They hired a replacement to take over when the winter holiday ended. So, I’m on the 5th week of this retirement, with 3 to go. Mr. Victor, formerly of Tito’s Place, who took on Lani’s students the next year, and mine, earlier this year, was hired to take over for me once more. We met a couple of times during the holiday to catch up on “Miss Marilu” stories and to go over the kids’ profiles and curriculum to ease the transition. I’ll miss my kids there, but I had an offer I couldn’t refuse.
I had a pleasant parting with the owners at the end of my last day, but there was no announcement of my leaving – I thought there might have been. I did tell one of the Mothers when I saw her a week later. She was disappointed but understood why I had to make the change. I expect the news spread quickly afterwards. But, after a (now) four week holiday, it is a good time to make a change. They didn’t have to pay either of us holiday pay. I’m waiting to hear from Mr. Victor or Ms. Ruth, to hear how things are going ? I’m also waiting for the salary owed me for June. I’m grateful to Consuelo & Milko for hiring me & getting me back to Bolivia.
And so, I’ll begin my next career at Cochabamba Cooperative School – Colegio Calvert, as the First Grade teacher, on Monday, August 10. There are still 3 more English speaking schools in Cochabamba, but this one is the best. The salary is significantly higher, with an expectation of better in the second year. At the moment there are 25 Kindergarten graduates, and have been told that at an enrolment of 29 the class will be split. I’m expecting a class of 28 !! I’m to teach a full curriculum in English to these ESL kids. I’m already listed on their website: www.ccs.edu.bo check it out. I’m looking forward to going to a more structured place (that I expect will be a little less repressive than Tito’s). Thanks to Fred for intervening on my behalf in getting this job. He’ll be the high school History/Geography/Phys. Ed. teacher. I’ve been promised a first choice of availabe grades for next year. Working here allows me to come home to Toronto next June & July. That’ll be a better time of year than last year’s winter, and will let me enjoy cycling around the city.
Any primary teachers reading this, I’d appreciate receiving copies of your daily and weekly schedules – how you organized your time; all your lessons & signs you have, anything that you think will be good. Grade 1 is the only class I never had in Toronto. So please help !! (my email is: jswise@yahoo.com)
The saga of getting my visa and Bolivian ID card is over !!!! It took 3 – 4 weeks longer this year than last, in the new improved process. It was very frustrating having to go through the regimen of collecting documents and declarations, being fingerprinted and photographed, making above and below the table payments……. but alas, at last, I’m legal here until the end of April, 2011. By the next time I need to renew my documents, I should be able to do it myself. Who knows ? I’m still far from fluent – haven’t been studying much ….
I did have a Letter of Facilitation from the Canadian Embassy, which together with photocopies of my passport and my expired ID card should have allowed me to pass National Police document checks and to check into hotels within Bolivia. I feel better about traveling with up-to-date genuine documents. Don’t think I’ve got enough Spanish to talk my way through any hassles or detailed explanations. So I’m happy about the way things turned out. Thanks to the Embassy staff in La Paz for making enquiries on my behalf with the Bolivian Immigration Department and for issuing me the letter. I was happy with the assistance they provided.
I’m getting very excited about my upcoming travel plans. I’m leaving Friday for a week away, seeing some special places in Bolivia. Friday morning bus to Oruro …. late afternoon train to Tupiza …. 3 days around there exploring “The Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid Trail” …on my Facebook page I already wondered if changing from a 4X4 to horses would be an upgrade or downgrade ???… gotta learn the words to “Sweet Betsy from Pike”…. train to Uyuni to begin a three day tour of the Salar de Uyuni – the world’s largest salt flat ….the guidebook calls it “a blinding white expanse of the greatest nothing imaginable” …. Google or Bing it … mineral coloured lakes … volcanoes (dormant) …. other incredible scenery…some think this is Atlantis….. stay tuned for my next chapter and a batch of new photos.
In these weeks without work my routines have slowed down tremendously. Thanks to Al Gore for the Internet. I spend much time following and keeping current on lots …… I’m Facebooking ….. Twittering …… spent quality time exchanging parameters and negotiating Rotisserrie Baseball trades -”The Owl Stars (& Blue Jays) again, in two-thousand-ten” …. listening to Q107, beatlesradio.com (on iTunes), and baseball games….. like answering mail….. and, of course, one of the greatest practices here – taking siestas.
I’ve got several routes around my part of the city, with places to stop and visit on the way. I’m making wider circles on my walks, so I’m seeing new places here most every day, now. My favourite daytime places are Yerba Buena and Casablanca, where I’ve got friends working…. others dropping by. I’ll stop for coffee, or lunch, or cervezas and good company.
On weekends I’ve become somewhat of a fixture at Na Cunna. I like Paula’s cooking ( a little too much); sitting at the bar with Emma, having a cold Taquina Golden Amber Lager (recently discontinued); going upstairs for the night’s band’s performance. I had a great night a little while ago with staff who weren’t working that night. Two of the waitresses are leaving for school and fortune in Buenos Aires and one of the bartenders is going to medical school and can’t keep the hours. Good luck to you guys.
There’s a small rotation of pretty good local bands with occasional special guests from La Paz, Santa Cruz, Brazil or Argentina that Manuel books. I’m waiting for Midway State’s Bolivian tour….. I’ve gotten familiar and friendly with many of the musicians. Many hangout at Na Cunna when they’re not playing elsewhere.
I still get to Casablanca for Tuesday and Thursday night jazz sometimes. Carlos, the drummer, was about my first friend here.
Yerba Buena or Mama Africa are clubs where friends hang out at at night. It’s a much younger crowd – mix of Bolivians and gringos – but they make this old guy feel quite welcome and not so old. Brad plays a wicked guitar and has begun to sing more when he performs. He’ll often be the draw at these clubs.
I continue going to Shabbat services (most every Friday night) and enjoy the welcome I receive each week at the Synagogue, and the conversation with a growing number of friends before, during, or after the service. Lately, the numbers have been up with a number of Americans visiting throughout the summer, but sometimes we haven’t had a minion (of 10). Occasionally I accept the dinner invitation back to Sr. Sendar’s home. His is an open invitation to anyone, and usually he’ll have a dozen at the table. There are usually others who speak English, and I get to practise some Spanish. It’s a very welcoming home, with generous amounts of Scotch and a lovely dinner. Another Friday, I went for dinner at Tommy’s home, with a different group from the Synagogue.
I’ve developed a growing friendship with Rafael, to whom I teach English twice a week. He wants to add another day, but I will have to see how full-time work interferes with making plans. He runs a consulting firm for different kinds of development projects in Bolivia. He wants to develop fluent English skills so he can connect with North American companies doing what he does. He sees a reduction in contract/project opportunities with the current government and the absence of US AID money. He’s already fearing that the President will be elected for another 5 years, in the December election and the opportunities here will dry up more.
My Cochabamba is growing and I’m visiting new neighbourhoods. I’ve taken a couple of Trufi rides to unfamiliar places and gotten out & walked around or walked home.I make my usual rounds down to the Cancha two or three times a week. I’ve found the computer district; the pirated “vintage” DVDs district; can buy shoes and clothes in Spanish. I’m eating more street meat, and probably paying the price…. Some days I like to stay close to home.
I’m starting to take pictures in themes – including: flowering trees; views of the Cristo; buses of Cochabamba; street scenes. I’ve been spending time organizing & cleaning up my files on this computer. So I’ll complete that soon. When you get to my Flickr page, click on Organize — then — Sets and Collections. I hope this will make viewing my pictures easier. I’m hoping for some great shots on this trip.
It’s always nice to hear from you when you write. Hope every one is enjoying summertime and live up-wind from the garbage collection sites.
Hasta next time.
Love to all.












