Catchup!

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been behind on my posts. I am finally in Cochabamba for my homestays and have acces to internet. I want to update you on what I have been doing!

Day 1 (Long travel day(s)

-flew from Chicago to Miami (3 hours)
-got to Miami around 6:00 and met my group. My flight was supposed to be at 11:00 but we didnt leave until 12:30ish. At this point I was starting to not feel well; I had a bit of a headache. The plane ride from Miami to La Paz was 7 hours.
-We arrived in La Paz around 7:30 and I felt awful! My legs were shaky, I had a bad headache, and I felt naseous
-We had orientation in a beautiful park overlooking the city. I still didn´t feel so well but the fresh air felt nice.
-After orientation we got back onto the bus for a 7 hour bus ride to Quillocollo.
-The bus ride was not pleasent. It was a double decker bus and we sat on top. Luckily I got the window seat! I ended up throwing up out the window... : ( After I felt a lot better though!!
-FINALLY we got to Quillocollo and went to our hostel. It was outside the city a little and was beautiful. It was more like a resort type thing. There was a lot of land and different buildings...even a pool! The pool was really cold though.
-We ate dinner, did some group activities then went to bed! End of long "day" 1

Day 2:
-Day 2 was filled with orientation meetings and activities. The food was really good (chicken). We swam played soccer etc. Not to much went on, just a lot of activities!

Day 3:

-Woke up and did yoga with some people...it was a beautiful morning!
-Breakfast: bread, jam, fruit etc.
-group activities/meetings
-during a break we met this cute boy who said his name was michael jackson. he started dancing and singing to Thriller. It was hillarious!
-Later that day we went to the town of Quillocollo. We had a scavenger hunt where we had to find certain things like restaurants, fruit, the church etc. It was a nice way to explore and learn about the town. We actually met this one guy named Omar who was 18. We asked him where the church was and he said he would take us. The really funny thing is that he was caring a fake spear because he was getting ready for the parade tomorrow. It was funny because it was a Bolivian with a spear guiding a group of Gringos (white people). Everyone was looking it was great.
-we had dinner at a spot where Omar showed us. The food was pretty good. We had a typical Bolivian beef plate.
-after dinner we went back home and had THE BEST meeting with the owner of the community or hostel. The man talked about how we have lost the sense of community. He said that he built the compound or community we were staying at in order to restore the sense of community like that way it used to be. He was probably the wisest person I have ever heard talk. It was awesome.
-Stargazed (the stars are awesome! it is cool because they arent the same as at home) then I went to bed!

Day 4
-woke up, packed, ate typical breakfast, and said goodbye to the awesome communidad we were staying in!
-took a taxi to Cochabamba for homstays...my taxi got a little lost
-arrived in the neighborhood of Cona Cona and was assigned our host family. I got the Charo family with a girl named Becky. The house is really nice! We have our own room that is across the patio. There is 3 beds and our own bathroom which is nice. My mom´s name is Charo, my dad´s name is Nelson, my sister´s name is Fabby (4) and Claudia (9). They are all so nice! The food is good but I get a little sick of the same thing over and over.
-Later that day we had Spanish classes for 4 hours! My teacher was hillarious though. Her name was Tuki. My spanish is really improving!! I am so excited.
-After classes we had a meeting at the staff house
-played Frisbee with Crister, my instructor and some friends, Anne and Becky at the park across the street from my house
-I then went home and did some HW before dinner. The dog, a chiauahaua or however you spell it, wouldn´t leave me alone!! It was SO annoying.
-Dinner: steak, "french fries" SO GOOD, and fried bananas
-after dinner some of us went to watch the pickup soccer games across the street at the park. They are all so good at soccer! It is really fun to watch.
-Bed.

Day 5 Sep 11 (so far)

-woke up at 7:30
-breakfast (bread, jam, butter, tea) with Becky and Charo my host mom
-Meeting at staff house
-took a bus to center of Cochabamba! We got to explore the markets and city. It was awesome. I got this sweet blue watch. Everyone was so nice! It is amazing how many people are on the street selling things. This one woman tried to get me to buy an outfit that consisted of: a poncho, hat, socks, scarf, and a blanket...all matching. It was really funny. I went around the markets with Sam and Anne. I only bought a watch and some popcorn but luckily we will be back. I want to get a Bolivian Jersey!
-Came back home for lunch: chicken, noodles, potatos, and juice
-4 hours of spanish classes... yay! I didn´t have the funny teacher today either. Oh well.
-Here I am now writing to you! Later I am going to a "fiesta" for some students at the spanish school we go to beacuse they are leaving. It is actually really cool that there are other students there. Some are from France, Germany, North Carolina and the Alps. I also hope to see more soccer! Well that is all for now but I will post later what I actually did tonight and what I will be doing in the days to come!

xoxo