It´s been a week since I arrived. I have been quite enjoying being with Lani & am so impressed at how she is able to get along here. I still have a week before she`s on her way home, and I´m left to fend for myself. I´m going to have to pull out my Spanish books and get serious about learning the language, or get used to the few things I can order.
We´ve done lots & lots of walking - touring the city & looking for a place to live. There are a couple of promising leads and hope to have things settled soon. We´ve looked at highrises and at some ¨apartments¨ that every private home seems to have. There doesn´t seem to be a high vacancy rate. The houses are all built behind high walls and locked gates, that are either covered in ornamental spikes, broken bottles or barbed wire. Most of the apartment buildings have (some armed) guards. Home security doesn´t seem to be an issue here. Behind the main houses are the servants´ quarters that can range from a single room (like Lani´s) to a two story with a spiral staircase, 2 bedroom apartment that we saw today for $150/month. Unbelievable !! We have an appointment tomorrow for a new highrise building. Here´s hoping…
The highlight so far has been our ventures into the Cancha - the market area. It is massive and is filled with thousands of little booths that sell everything. Interestingly, the Cancha has ¨districts¨ that has scores of ¨stores¨ selling the same thing. There are sections for fresh produce, clothing, electronics, appliances, music & DVDs, school supplies, etc. I´ve found where all the used clothing and toys we donated to developing countries ends up. It´s hard to imagine that many people make a living - so many sellers, and few buyers. The good thing is that the prices are low. I know where I´ll find my home furnishings, once I´ve found a home. The most interesting pictures I´ve posted so far are from the Cancha.
We were also out to visit the school - Tito´s Place - earlier this week. It´s about a 20 minute ride from where we are. I put up a picture. I think the entire school could fit into the Essex gym. I met my bosses and got a brief overview of my responsibilities. Next Wednesday - Friday are preschool meetings and preparation, with classes beginning on Monday the 11th. The people I´ve met have given me a very warm welcome, and I´m looking forward to getting going. So far there are ELEVEN kids registered in Grade 5. That´s smaller than some of the Special Ed. classes I´ve had WITHOUT the Special Ed !!!! A line comes to mind from Field of Dreams - ¨ Is this heaven ?¨ The Principal warned me about 2 boys I should expect ¨problems¨ from. Somehow I´m not too worried.
I´ve met a couple of the other Gringo teachers - Hayley, the grade 2 teacher, is from New Zealand and worked with Lani last year; and, Fred, who will be doing high school History & Geography. He is in his late 60´s, reminds me of Lee Marvin and sounds like Barry White with a Texan drawl. He has settled in Cochabamba with his Bolivian wife. I may be able to take their apartment, once they move into their new condo - subject to meeting the landlord. We spent a nice afternoon with them, eating along the Prado. I expect we´ll become good friends.
We also got to visit with ¨The Family¨ Tuesday evening. These are the parents and brothers & sister of Arlene´s and the girls´ hairdresser, at Fiorio´s in Toronto. Marcella & her husband, Paulo, were visiting from Toronto, and we spent the evening sitting around the kitchen table speaking Spanglish, about just about everything. THEY ARE SO NICE. I have plans with William (Lani´s Bolivian Dad) to go to the next Wilstermann home futbol game. He knows a little more English than I know Spanish. Can´t wait - it should be fun.
Last night we discovered what will likely be my Wednesday night spot. The restaurant is called Casablanca, is right across the street from our hostal, and has live jazz every Miercoles. Last night was a pianist & drummer & occasional singer. It´s not Pretzel Logic at the Orbit Room, but was quite pleasing. We ¨mucho gusto¨-ed, and should become friendly after a few more weeks. The food there is good & quite affordable. So´s the beer.
Saturday through to Tuesday is Carnaval !!! Lani & I have booked a day trip to Oruro on Saturday. Google it. It is supposed to be the best celebration in the country. The dancers and bands come to Cochabamba the next week, so there´ll be lots of celebrating. One peculiar custom here during Carnaval is the water ballooons. There are people selling bags full of water balloons which people throw at each other. So far we haven´t been hit yet - a few misses - but we´ve been advised to wear rainwear during the celebrations. More about that later.
We (think) we have a place to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. Go Patriots Go.
I hope that everyone there is well and getting through the winter. Did I mention that my head has just about completely peeled from my sunburn ? The only snow is on the mountain tops. But it has rained at sometime every day so far.
Love to all. Be well. Write.
