Oblivion ??? ….. Bolivia !!!!

I hope any Bolivians reading this are not too offended, but (always a “but” here) this place is crazy unbelievable.

Tuesday at about 11:00 all the teachers were suddenly called to the office for an emergency meeting, in which we were told that the school HAD to be evacuated, before Seduca officials arrived - for fear that the school would be closed down permanently - if they caught us teaching. IMAGINE !!! I’m NOT sure I believe that, but that’s what the Boss told everyone. Lunch was scheduled early and the buses were to leave at 1:00. So, the winter holidays that were to begin on June 30 are ON !!! We were told that school would resume Monday, July 7 - MAYBE ??!! …. “See ya when I see ya !!”

I can’t help thinking that I could be Minister of Education for just a couple of hours and make a significant improvement in this system here. And it wouldn’t depend on which way the wind was blowing !!??!! I am becoming convinced that this country is determined to remain a Third World country, and may aspire to become a Fourth or Fifth ?? !!

So now, I’ve got a couple of extra days to get ready for my trip. That’s okay. I’m so excited at the prospects of packing up my backpack, and pretending I’m 20/30/40/50 -something again. It’s been a few years since I’ve traveled like this. Hope I’ll meet some other Peter Pans (or Tinkerbelles) on the way.

When I was downtown yesterday, I came across thousands the district’s teachers blocking the main intersections near the Post Office (which was open). Masses of teachers spending their winter holiday hanging around, blocking traffic, eating popcorn and ice cream and generally having a nice day in the springlike weather….. all under the watchful eye of the riot police, assembled up the street. What a nice way to spend the day !!!

In other news, from my Google Alert:

“Bolivia is awash with rumors about an impending right-wing coup against the elected government of president Evo Morales. ….If the ruling class persist with their attempts to overthrow the Morales government, the country could be drawn into a civil war with devastating consequences.” No one I’ve talked to has heard these rumors, but here you can expect anything. The BIG recall votes are in less than 2 months. Things should get exciting in anticipation of the August 10 voting.

Yesterday, there was more interest and excitement about Bolivia’s 4-2 win over Paraguay in a World Cup qualifying game. As soon as the game was over, the honking cars continued to parade around the streets for hours - like when the Leafs won a play-off series. Anyone else old enough to remember that ?

I’m off tomorrow night on my trip. Verrrrrrrrrrrrrry excited !!!

Happy Trails

Wednesday morning Fred came to my classroom saying that no one in the office wanted to deliver the news that was just received from SEDUCA - the Bolivian Department of Education. The winter holiday originally scheduled to begin on Monday, June 23, had been moved back a week to Monday, June 30. Last year the break had been extended a week, because it was too cold to have the kids sit in the unheated classrooms. I guess that some enlightened public servant came up with an idea to avoid a similar occurrence, and that some higher ranking official thought that it was a great idea. So nine days before the holiday they announced the change. What was the hurry ?

I suppose someone thought that I’d be upset that I’d have to cancel my trip arrangements, that begin next Friday night, and start over. I insisted that it was not my fault, that I had done things properly, according to the annual calendar I had been given. It wasn’t going to be my problem. Later in the afternoon when the Director finally came to the Teachers’ lunch table to “deliver” the news, she conceded that the teachers with travel arrangements would have supply teachers for that week. The others had warned me that the policy at this school, was that absent teachers would lose the pay for the days missed to pay for the substitute, but to everyone’s surprise she said I wouldn’t, in response to my insistence that I would not tolerate being penalized a single Boliviano for having done things properly. Even Lani, who worked here last year, couldn’t believe it. So, I was feeling pretty smug that I would now have a four week paid vacation and started wondering where to go for the extra week.

Then, on the drive home the yesterday I noticed that two public schools on the route didn’t have the usual activity outside. I asked one of my Bolivian colleagues in the cab what was happening. The public school teachers had gone on strike that morning, protesting the government screwing with their pensions. I couldn’t blame them.

Soon after I got home, I got a call from another of the teachers to tell that SEDUCA had just announced that the holiday had been re-rescheduled. As the schools were already empty due to the strike, instead of being postponed a week, it is now pre-poned by two weeks, and will begin at the end of classes today!! And I still get the four weeks !!!

I’m expecting more changes in the government’s decision… the wind is blowing from a different direction today.

Besides the teachers, it seems as if Strike Season is in full bloom. The highways between the main cities have been blocked by truckers protesting the rising tax on fuel; and, by miners out to protest an increase in tax on profits upon businesses. The Plaza Principal downtown was blocked by Trufi drivers for some good reason, no doubt. In La Paz there have been demonstrations outside the American Embassy protesting the granting of asylum to a former  Bolivian Defense Minister wanted here for trial. I won’t be anywhere near there next week, unless I learn the Spanish for “I’m Canadian, not American, honest !!”

The government nationalized the oil pipeline. And Iran wants to broaden ties with Bolivia…more good news !!

This place has all the trappings of a modern society - cars; paved roads; electricity; attractive, new apartment and office buildings; beautiful homes that would fit in on the Bridal Path or Thornhill; a Burger King - all in spite of those who run the country.

One good thing, was that I needed to see a dentist. I had flossed off a crown and had lost a filling that needed immediate replacing. After the first appointment was over and it was time to pay, Dr. Javier said “140″. As I was counting out American $20s he stopped me ….”no,no,no, 140 Bolivianos”. THAT’S ALMOST $20 !!! The second appointment cost 150 Bs. And on Monday he’s taking impressions for two crowns @ US$100 each. If you need major restorative dental work, the air fare here would be worth the expense. I told my kids I’m hoping to have more dental trouble while I’m here.

Anyone coming down for a visit ??

Take care everyone.

Enjoy the last days of school. Enjoy Summer in the City, or wherever you get to.