Hello friends. We are glad you are reading our blog. Welcome.
This is the last freakin night here in Bolivia. We are flying out to Santa Cruz and then to Miami tomorrow and I (Cullen) am probably going to sleep most of the way. Yay! Bailey is here too, and she says that she is sad to leave Bolivia behind, and return to her daily Canadian life. The rest of the team seems to feel mostly the same way...except for John. Yet again, he feels indifferent. Hmmm...odd. This trip has truly been amazing for all of us, and despite the high altitude...perhaps too high...we have survived this boot camp simulation. My iPod is charging beside me, and I have alot of time to blow. Anyways, we played some volleyball with the locals this afternoon (locals being the church youth), and then we went to a pizza joint and had yummy food. Ironically, we had no pizza. I had some sketchy tasting, yet somewhat satisfying ravioli. Bailey, John, Allison, Sharon, and Sheldon all had some even more sketchy tasting empinadas. Don´t ask. John felt like poo afterwards (no pun intended), Bailey felt like she ate a big blob of blobbyness that wasn´t settling well, and Allison...well Allison just ate way too much. Afterwards, we headed home and were weldomed by some visitors who shared their testimonies with us. One´s name was Wendy, the other´s name was Floridia. Long story short, we don´t hate testimonies, but some are just too way freakin long when you wanna go to bed. Then we went out and did some stuff and then came home. And here we are late at night in Bolivia, about 8 hours until we leave on the plane, and home just seems that much closer. I miss playing drums. I also miss playing guitar. I also miss my roommate David. I also miss Martin Bauer. I also miss Greg Rokos and his prego wife Dena. I also miss Chelsea, she´s neat. I also miss David´s emo-ness. I also miss Carolyn Olson and her sweet Carolyn-ness. I also miss snow...I think. I also miss my new pair of corderoy pants. I also miss the mighty Hagen D-Group. I also miss turning 25...wait, that hasn´t happened yet. I also miss Merchant´s (that one isn´t even funny). I think that´s all I miss.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Dear ROB
umm... so this isnt´going to work...
1. some of our parents are coming to pick us up and take us to camrose so we WONT be riding with Lloyd.
2. We´re the last team to get back and the first to have debreif... in case your intelligent staff didn´t notice this... we did... and would kindly like it to be altered. lets say maybe... thursday!
3. If you fail to acquest to our requests... WE WILL NOT.. I REPEAT... NOT LEAVE THIS CONTINENT!!!!!
4. Gracias
(written by Melissa and Bailey)
1. some of our parents are coming to pick us up and take us to camrose so we WONT be riding with Lloyd.
2. We´re the last team to get back and the first to have debreif... in case your intelligent staff didn´t notice this... we did... and would kindly like it to be altered. lets say maybe... thursday!
3. If you fail to acquest to our requests... WE WILL NOT.. I REPEAT... NOT LEAVE THIS CONTINENT!!!!!
4. Gracias
(written by Melissa and Bailey)
Well we are coming into the home stretch here, and I think the team is ready for departure. The Groff's (sp?) really are good people, they just might be a little too old to have 5 young people hanging around.
In the past few days we have shopped till we dropped. Sheldon walks really fast downtown, and we can't quite get enough breath as it is so we have to tell him to slow down every once in a while.
Team Bolivar and The Strongest had a revenge game on Tuesday, (they tied last game if I didn't tell you) we didn't go because we were hanging out with a youth group from a church. We helped paint their youth room bright orange! And then we did a devotion for them. We sang worship songs in Spanish again, which was really cool. Except I was a little distracted because the church is right next to the stadium. We could hear perfectly the cheers, the shouts, the fireworks, the booing if there was any. Turns out Bolivar won, 2 to 1. Darn, I wasn't even cheering for them.
Wednesday was a tour of La Paz on a big tour bus. That was fun, I got some good pictures of me on a rock in a valley, Moon Valley as it were. This city is very colorful, not just the rocks and mountains its built in, but also the houses. Like you stepped into a cartoon land. The wires above our heads and tunnels we went through were really close to us (because we sat on the top with no roof). Cullen got a good video of it and it's really funny.
And yesterday we went to the Lake Titcaca! We didn't get to swim in it, but we found a really good place for lots of pictures. And we stopped at a restaurant, I can't remember the name, but it has the best trout. Ever. I inhaled it it was so good. Cullen had 2. He thinks he's stretched his stomache since we've been here, because most meals he's eating more than the rest of us. He just really likes his food I guess.
And that brings us to today. We are going to a place called Alasietas (sp.) I think it's a place where you buy minitaures. We talked (well, Sharon did because she speaks the language) to this cab driver and he said that the tradition is to buy miniatures and hope they come to you in real life. So people buy little cars or little houses and what not. If you buy a rooster you want a husband, if you buy a hen, a wife. John jokes about coming here to find a woman, so I we'll see if he buys a hen or not.
We have 3 more full days left in La Paz. Our plane leaves on Monday and we get back on Tuesday Jan 29 at 9:30am. So we hope to see you all there!
This means you, Lauren Renner! (Hopefully the staff can turn a blind eye for my beloved roommate... we practically are blood related you know)
Thanks for your prayers, they really have helped!
Ciao.
In the past few days we have shopped till we dropped. Sheldon walks really fast downtown, and we can't quite get enough breath as it is so we have to tell him to slow down every once in a while.
Team Bolivar and The Strongest had a revenge game on Tuesday, (they tied last game if I didn't tell you) we didn't go because we were hanging out with a youth group from a church. We helped paint their youth room bright orange! And then we did a devotion for them. We sang worship songs in Spanish again, which was really cool. Except I was a little distracted because the church is right next to the stadium. We could hear perfectly the cheers, the shouts, the fireworks, the booing if there was any. Turns out Bolivar won, 2 to 1. Darn, I wasn't even cheering for them.
Wednesday was a tour of La Paz on a big tour bus. That was fun, I got some good pictures of me on a rock in a valley, Moon Valley as it were. This city is very colorful, not just the rocks and mountains its built in, but also the houses. Like you stepped into a cartoon land. The wires above our heads and tunnels we went through were really close to us (because we sat on the top with no roof). Cullen got a good video of it and it's really funny.
And yesterday we went to the Lake Titcaca! We didn't get to swim in it, but we found a really good place for lots of pictures. And we stopped at a restaurant, I can't remember the name, but it has the best trout. Ever. I inhaled it it was so good. Cullen had 2. He thinks he's stretched his stomache since we've been here, because most meals he's eating more than the rest of us. He just really likes his food I guess.
And that brings us to today. We are going to a place called Alasietas (sp.) I think it's a place where you buy minitaures. We talked (well, Sharon did because she speaks the language) to this cab driver and he said that the tradition is to buy miniatures and hope they come to you in real life. So people buy little cars or little houses and what not. If you buy a rooster you want a husband, if you buy a hen, a wife. John jokes about coming here to find a woman, so I we'll see if he buys a hen or not.
We have 3 more full days left in La Paz. Our plane leaves on Monday and we get back on Tuesday Jan 29 at 9:30am. So we hope to see you all there!
This means you, Lauren Renner! (Hopefully the staff can turn a blind eye for my beloved roommate... we practically are blood related you know)
Thanks for your prayers, they really have helped!
Ciao.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I CAN'T BREATHE
hey everyone. (Melissa here)
this is going to be short cause i'm not the blog-writer
this is a question for Rob:
When does debrief start? when do we HAVE to be back at the school?
thats about it... bailey will fill you in tomorrow... hehe
this is going to be short cause i'm not the blog-writer
this is a question for Rob:
When does debrief start? when do we HAVE to be back at the school?
thats about it... bailey will fill you in tomorrow... hehe
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The first full day in La Paz
La Paz, Oh La Paz. (It's Bailey)
Jan 19:
So I was serious about us being tourists. We just went through our schedule and it's really relaxed. We will always be doing something, but it definately doesn't involve heavy labour or any kind of straining activity.
We went to church called Santisima Trinidad, (Holy Trinity) today. The service was a little long. We were basically the 'entertainment' for the service. All of us shared our testimonies. The people commented that John looks like Jesus (no, he didn't actually die). So we have Shakira, Jesus, Carlos (because none of the kids remember Cullen) Melissa and Al. It's a really good time.
Then we went to the soccer game!!! Oh it was soo much fun. The stadium was so packed full of people and John and Cullen were truly in their glory. The President made an appearance even. What I thought was interesting was when he waved to all the people, half of them were booing and the other half seemed indifferent. That's one thing I will remember about Bolivia. The President is also the President of 3 of the biggest cocaine producing factories in the country, and the people can do nothing about their situation. Mr. Groff (Sheldon) said that the president reminds him of an arrogant college kid. Except he can't be a college kid because he didn't even finish high school!
So it was team 'Bolivar' verses team 'The Strongest" and they both tied 1 all. I got a video of both goals! There was this huge banner that had the colors of 'the strongest' (yellow and black) and it was probably half the size of the soccerfield. It went from the top of the stadium to the bottom, covering the people in their seats. They only unrolled it twice. Yes, I got a picture of that too. And there were even cheerleaders!
Well the time to relax has come. The altitude has really done alot to my energy level, all of ours. But we are not sick, John is fine now. We drink Coca tea and it really helps. Jay told us what a wonderful and special group we are tonite. She told us the qualities she sees in each one of us and how lucky she has been to have had us for these past 2 weeks. Cullen has very good leadership qualities, John has the determination to stand up for what he beleives in, I am a free spirit and will lead people to Christ, Melissa has a very caring and warm heart, and she said that she sees herself in Alison; organized, quiet and she cares deeply for every person on the team. We had trouble staying dry-eyed through that one. We haven't talked about it as a group yet, but I sense sadness because we have left Caranavi. I know I am.
But La Paz is just as much fun! That soccer game was enough to keep my spirits up for quite sometime. And Lake Titicaca is just around the corner, so hold on to your hats, I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes as soon as I can!!
Buenos Nochas.
Shakira.
Jan 19:
It's much cooler here that's for sure. Averaging between 10 and 15. Everyone else on the team enjoys this. I however, don't appreciate the cooler temperatures as much. Yesterday was the long haul up death road to get here. The bus ride was uneventful, and everyone went in and out of sleep again. I slowly (and sadly) watched as the clouds rolled in and the air became lighter and cooler.
We got in around 2 and Jay came with us. The missionaries' name are Sharon and Sheldon Groff. Sharaon cooked for us today. We will miss Jay's cooking very much.
It's so much different here than Caranavi. The people are still living in immense poverty but it's got the sights and sounds of a bigshot city.
So I was serious about us being tourists. We just went through our schedule and it's really relaxed. We will always be doing something, but it definately doesn't involve heavy labour or any kind of straining activity.
We went to church called Santisima Trinidad, (Holy Trinity) today. The service was a little long. We were basically the 'entertainment' for the service. All of us shared our testimonies. The people commented that John looks like Jesus (no, he didn't actually die). So we have Shakira, Jesus, Carlos (because none of the kids remember Cullen) Melissa and Al. It's a really good time.
Then we went to the soccer game!!! Oh it was soo much fun. The stadium was so packed full of people and John and Cullen were truly in their glory. The President made an appearance even. What I thought was interesting was when he waved to all the people, half of them were booing and the other half seemed indifferent. That's one thing I will remember about Bolivia. The President is also the President of 3 of the biggest cocaine producing factories in the country, and the people can do nothing about their situation. Mr. Groff (Sheldon) said that the president reminds him of an arrogant college kid. Except he can't be a college kid because he didn't even finish high school!
So it was team 'Bolivar' verses team 'The Strongest" and they both tied 1 all. I got a video of both goals! There was this huge banner that had the colors of 'the strongest' (yellow and black) and it was probably half the size of the soccerfield. It went from the top of the stadium to the bottom, covering the people in their seats. They only unrolled it twice. Yes, I got a picture of that too. And there were even cheerleaders!
Well the time to relax has come. The altitude has really done alot to my energy level, all of ours. But we are not sick, John is fine now. We drink Coca tea and it really helps. Jay told us what a wonderful and special group we are tonite. She told us the qualities she sees in each one of us and how lucky she has been to have had us for these past 2 weeks. Cullen has very good leadership qualities, John has the determination to stand up for what he beleives in, I am a free spirit and will lead people to Christ, Melissa has a very caring and warm heart, and she said that she sees herself in Alison; organized, quiet and she cares deeply for every person on the team. We had trouble staying dry-eyed through that one. We haven't talked about it as a group yet, but I sense sadness because we have left Caranavi. I know I am.
But La Paz is just as much fun! That soccer game was enough to keep my spirits up for quite sometime. And Lake Titicaca is just around the corner, so hold on to your hats, I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes as soon as I can!!
Buenos Nochas.
Shakira.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
La Paz
*melissa talking*
we made it through the death road again. i got some sweet videos and pictures of it this time cause i was on the death side. we're 11300ft up right now. and i'm light headed and gassy (sorry)... umm... i don't know what to say really... just that we made it here ok. bailey is the blog writer... i dno't have enough patience. i'll get her to write within the next day or so
we made it through the death road again. i got some sweet videos and pictures of it this time cause i was on the death side. we're 11300ft up right now. and i'm light headed and gassy (sorry)... umm... i don't know what to say really... just that we made it here ok. bailey is the blog writer... i dno't have enough patience. i'll get her to write within the next day or so
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Random Thoughts in Bolivia
This is the best!! I´m having the time of my life, really. (This is Bailey)
So we get up and have breakfast around 8, which is sooo good. The breakfast I mean, not so much waking up that early. Jay takes really good care of us. Then usually we work down in the new radio station they are building. We sift sand and move bricks. Yesterday we drilled holes with a mallot and a big steak (kinda like Fred flinstone) into the wall for the electrical cords or something like that.
There are 8 different kinds of bananas here, we haven´t tried them all. They grow just like weeds, apple bananas, deep fried bananas, boiled bananas, any way you cook bananas they do it. I think I´m going to get myself a banana boat someday.
The toilet paper is pink and the toilet flushes the wrong way!
We drink the best coffee in the world here. I´m going to buy another suitcase and pack it full of coffee to bring back to Canada.
The usual attire for a female bolivian is a boler hat, that they somehow keep on their heads even tho its way too small and I don´t know how it doesn´t fall, black braids all the way down their back, a long sleeved shirt and a long skirt. I really like it. I bought a boler hat for 60 bolivianos the other day, which is about 8 dollars. The guy hand made it, it´s criminal to charge 8 bucks! In Canada I´m guessing it would probably sell for 150 dollars. I´m going to buy the skirt and braids tomorow, because Wednesday is market day.
Nickolas kraft is the missionary who lives right next to Jay and Pablo. He is absolutely wild. And his testimony is incredible. When we went to Teoponte he let me drive his land cruiser up those trecherous roads. And he let me drive basically the whole way back too! But that´s supposed to be a secret. Melissa got it on video so you all will be able to see it when we get back.
It amazes me how no one gets in an accident here. Nobody knows how to drive. They drive on the wrong side of the road, there´s cars passing the cars that are passing somebody. They honk at you to say hurry up when there´s 3 cars in front of you. Anyone who thinks I don´t drive good should come down here for a few days.
On the way back from Teoponte there was a big dump truck stuck perpendicular to the road with a big load of dirt. Nobody could understand how he got this way, let alone how to get him out. If he backed up he would fall to his death over the mountous cliff, and he couldn´t get enough friction to move forward because of the mud. So the ´men´of our team (John Cullen and Nick) went over to try to help him out. The bolivans are very stubborn here. He had been going forward and back for over an hour, just spinning his tires. The traffic was backed up on both sides down the road, buses, taxis, everybody. But still this guy wouldn´t let anyone else drive, and when the boys tried to put big rocks under the tires to get some kind of traction, him and the other workers got mad. He eventually moved forward enough for us to squeeze by, but man, he sure wasn´t getting out very fast. He could still be there now for all we know. Again, come to bolivia if you think I´m a bad driver.
My nickname is Shakira. I don´t know why but it sticks.
On the 19th we will be going up to La Paz until the end of our trip. That part will be the touristy part of the trip. (As if we haven´t acted like tourists already!) We were going to go up to La Paz, 2 with nick and 3 in a taxi, but the Mikaelsons wouldn´t stand for it. The taxis put death in death road they say. They drive too fast. It takes them 3 hours to get up, when by bus its 6. A bride took a taxi down to have her reception in Caranavi, a few years back, and she didn´t make it because they drove straight off the edge. I´m cool with taking the bus.
We won´t be doing much physical labour in La Paz because of the altitude. We will have a day at Lake Titicaca, an evening we will go to a soccer game, a day or 2 for just shopping and taking it easy, and the rest we will be in churches doing ministry with kids. One night we were told there would be a bolivian potluck. The mikaelsons warned us to embrace the experience and they said no more. That sure fills me with wonderment.
That´s all for now. Gracias and continue to pray for us!!
So we get up and have breakfast around 8, which is sooo good. The breakfast I mean, not so much waking up that early. Jay takes really good care of us. Then usually we work down in the new radio station they are building. We sift sand and move bricks. Yesterday we drilled holes with a mallot and a big steak (kinda like Fred flinstone) into the wall for the electrical cords or something like that.
There are 8 different kinds of bananas here, we haven´t tried them all. They grow just like weeds, apple bananas, deep fried bananas, boiled bananas, any way you cook bananas they do it. I think I´m going to get myself a banana boat someday.
The toilet paper is pink and the toilet flushes the wrong way!
We drink the best coffee in the world here. I´m going to buy another suitcase and pack it full of coffee to bring back to Canada.
The usual attire for a female bolivian is a boler hat, that they somehow keep on their heads even tho its way too small and I don´t know how it doesn´t fall, black braids all the way down their back, a long sleeved shirt and a long skirt. I really like it. I bought a boler hat for 60 bolivianos the other day, which is about 8 dollars. The guy hand made it, it´s criminal to charge 8 bucks! In Canada I´m guessing it would probably sell for 150 dollars. I´m going to buy the skirt and braids tomorow, because Wednesday is market day.
Nickolas kraft is the missionary who lives right next to Jay and Pablo. He is absolutely wild. And his testimony is incredible. When we went to Teoponte he let me drive his land cruiser up those trecherous roads. And he let me drive basically the whole way back too! But that´s supposed to be a secret. Melissa got it on video so you all will be able to see it when we get back.
It amazes me how no one gets in an accident here. Nobody knows how to drive. They drive on the wrong side of the road, there´s cars passing the cars that are passing somebody. They honk at you to say hurry up when there´s 3 cars in front of you. Anyone who thinks I don´t drive good should come down here for a few days.
I bought soccer socks the other day. They are green and go all the way up to my knees and say PUMA on them. I can´t wear them because of the heat, but I will when I get back!
On the way back from Teoponte there was a big dump truck stuck perpendicular to the road with a big load of dirt. Nobody could understand how he got this way, let alone how to get him out. If he backed up he would fall to his death over the mountous cliff, and he couldn´t get enough friction to move forward because of the mud. So the ´men´of our team (John Cullen and Nick) went over to try to help him out. The bolivans are very stubborn here. He had been going forward and back for over an hour, just spinning his tires. The traffic was backed up on both sides down the road, buses, taxis, everybody. But still this guy wouldn´t let anyone else drive, and when the boys tried to put big rocks under the tires to get some kind of traction, him and the other workers got mad. He eventually moved forward enough for us to squeeze by, but man, he sure wasn´t getting out very fast. He could still be there now for all we know. Again, come to bolivia if you think I´m a bad driver.
My nickname is Shakira. I don´t know why but it sticks.
On the 19th we will be going up to La Paz until the end of our trip. That part will be the touristy part of the trip. (As if we haven´t acted like tourists already!) We were going to go up to La Paz, 2 with nick and 3 in a taxi, but the Mikaelsons wouldn´t stand for it. The taxis put death in death road they say. They drive too fast. It takes them 3 hours to get up, when by bus its 6. A bride took a taxi down to have her reception in Caranavi, a few years back, and she didn´t make it because they drove straight off the edge. I´m cool with taking the bus.
We won´t be doing much physical labour in La Paz because of the altitude. We will have a day at Lake Titicaca, an evening we will go to a soccer game, a day or 2 for just shopping and taking it easy, and the rest we will be in churches doing ministry with kids. One night we were told there would be a bolivian potluck. The mikaelsons warned us to embrace the experience and they said no more. That sure fills me with wonderment.
That´s all for now. Gracias and continue to pray for us!!
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