Those of you aware of the recent violence in Pando need not worry...I feel safe and anticipate nothing more than a few protests in the streets of La Paz, as happened earlier today.
We're getting more and more used to such blockades, and really other than meat prices going up as a result, there's little effect. I suppose we'll cancel our sixth grade field trip Thursday...
This afternoon several hundred campesinos marched down from the hills and alarmed the residents of the suburban Zona Sur where I teach, so panicky parents came to collect their children early to avoid dealing with the traffic later on. But the word "evacuation" hardly fits the situation on the ground.
I had no trouble getting home smoothly and am sitting tight until there's more news. Since the American Ambassador's departure at Evo's request, things have been a bit zany, but Bolivia's basically a non-violent protest sort of place, so I hope you'll join me in avoiding panic!
US Embassy and USAID personnel deemed "non-essential" have been given the choice to stay or go, so I expect to lose a few more friends than I would have otherwise this month. But never fear, I am working on maintaining a balanced social life amidst the mayhem, as never is there a more opportune time to bond with others abroad than in times of pseudo-crisis!
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and messages and peace be with you!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
September Spring
Dearest friends,
Time continues to fly by, and I'm back at school after a glorious 4 days off last week for R&R. Despite a flu and fever, we made a great escape to Coroico, a town in the Yungas jungle 2 hours outside La Paz (pretty much downhill.) We stayed at a resort with 9 swimming pools, and took great pleasure in sunning ourselves by most of them, though didn't get to try all the funky slides. Next time! It was wonderfully relaxing to hear the river, and we "roughed" it upon arrival, walking with our pack from the crossroads where the bus deposited us to the resort, about a 45 minute "hike-ette" during which we were surrounded by exotic butterflies!!
I'm glad we got out of the city albeit briefly, but spent most of the rest of the week grading exams and doing errands. I was able to finish reading Angela's Ashes and start The Human Stain, and just generally chill. We've been socializing a bit more and now that spring is in the air I'm sure we'll swing even more BBQs, though knowing many of you are enjoying Labor Day in far different a fashion than are we still gives me a pang of jealousy. Looking forward to hearing from all of you, and until our Vonage phone works again (by October, surely) we're easily reached on skype or the landline or by email....besos y abrazos and all happy thoughts!
Time continues to fly by, and I'm back at school after a glorious 4 days off last week for R&R. Despite a flu and fever, we made a great escape to Coroico, a town in the Yungas jungle 2 hours outside La Paz (pretty much downhill.) We stayed at a resort with 9 swimming pools, and took great pleasure in sunning ourselves by most of them, though didn't get to try all the funky slides. Next time! It was wonderfully relaxing to hear the river, and we "roughed" it upon arrival, walking with our pack from the crossroads where the bus deposited us to the resort, about a 45 minute "hike-ette" during which we were surrounded by exotic butterflies!!
I'm glad we got out of the city albeit briefly, but spent most of the rest of the week grading exams and doing errands. I was able to finish reading Angela's Ashes and start The Human Stain, and just generally chill. We've been socializing a bit more and now that spring is in the air I'm sure we'll swing even more BBQs, though knowing many of you are enjoying Labor Day in far different a fashion than are we still gives me a pang of jealousy. Looking forward to hearing from all of you, and until our Vonage phone works again (by October, surely) we're easily reached on skype or the landline or by email....besos y abrazos and all happy thoughts!
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