Latest news, our Ambassador is supposedly "PNG" - persona non grata. Evo is expelling him from the country. That was announced at a press conference from the presidential palace a few hours ago. Seems no official word has made its way to the Embassy yet. The city is still pretty quiet, Santa Cruz seems like it's still a mess. We're building us some provisions "just in case". I feel like I'm prepping for a hurricane again! Water, non-perishables...fun, wow.
Otherwise, life is going on normally. The kids had a half day at school. Lisette and Nicole had lunch together at one restaurant while I took Jake to Burger King. Afterward, they met back up with us and rode a simulator ride that was sponsored by BK, in the parking lot. The kids riding before L, N and J had quite an exciting ride as the door to the simulator kept opening and closing. My kids looked at me with some trepidation but I channeled my dad and told them they'd be fine! LOL The door problem was fixed and the ride went without a hitch.
On the way home, I noticed a extremely long line up at the gas station near the house. Nothing else was remiss though.
John called and suggested I fill up on non-perishables so Jake and I headed to "Ketal" and filled up. Again, on the way home, I noticed the gas station was now closed. Supplies are being cut off from the regions to the east. As we have no car yet, that one thing that might not affect us for a bit.
Since things are a still somewhat volatile here in Bolivia, I'll try to write in this blog twice daily to keep you aware that all is well. Tomorrow is expected to be busy here at the house (shipment #1!) but I'll try to get word out before noon and again before bed.
Besitos!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Safe at Home
Nicole's back! She flew through Santa Cruz which was undergoing some significant civil unrest but I guess they spent little time on the ground before heading to La Paz. It's an hour flight and by the time she landed here, the airport in SC was surrounded. Scary business but she's now safe at home. My stomach is relatively back to normal after being in quite a knot for about an hour and a half. What's left is a cool story for her to tell. I was just happy to hug her.
La Paz is quiet...some demonstrations are expected but not likely in our area. We're just the suburbs, demonstrations tend to take place downtown. I'll keep you posted. Not planning to go anywhere near downtown in the foreseeable future. Did I mention we initially thought this was going to be a "boring" post?
The unrest is coming from the anti-Evo crowd. We happen to live in an area that's very supportive of the president. Which basically makes us safer. The demonstrations are going to be pro-Evo so it shouldn't get out of hand.
La Paz is quiet...some demonstrations are expected but not likely in our area. We're just the suburbs, demonstrations tend to take place downtown. I'll keep you posted. Not planning to go anywhere near downtown in the foreseeable future. Did I mention we initially thought this was going to be a "boring" post?
The unrest is coming from the anti-Evo crowd. We happen to live in an area that's very supportive of the president. Which basically makes us safer. The demonstrations are going to be pro-Evo so it shouldn't get out of hand.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sleepy Monday
We haven't heard from Nicole since before the party on Saturday...seems she's having too much fun to call home! :-( I did talk to her hostess/mom Tereza tonight. The girls are off at the movie theater but all is well.
I slept poorly again last night. It seems to happen every third or fourth night. Very common at this altitude. Luckily, John needed to go into work late so he got Lisette and Jake off to school and I was able to sleep in a little.
Most of my day was spent reading. Yesterday was so busy, I felt little guilt at mellowing out today. John was at work late tonight and now he's out male bonding with some guys from the Embassy. Lisette had piano then soccer. Buddy's dog walker started this evening, he's now passed out at my feet (Buddy, not the walker!). Jake and I had a giggle fest over dinner and now he's tucked into bed.
We miss everyone at home but we're doing just fine waaaaay down here!
I slept poorly again last night. It seems to happen every third or fourth night. Very common at this altitude. Luckily, John needed to go into work late so he got Lisette and Jake off to school and I was able to sleep in a little.
Most of my day was spent reading. Yesterday was so busy, I felt little guilt at mellowing out today. John was at work late tonight and now he's out male bonding with some guys from the Embassy. Lisette had piano then soccer. Buddy's dog walker started this evening, he's now passed out at my feet (Buddy, not the walker!). Jake and I had a giggle fest over dinner and now he's tucked into bed.
We miss everyone at home but we're doing just fine waaaaay down here!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Party Number One
Whew! I'm beat. John suggested that we throw a BBQ this weekend for some guys who are here temporarily plus the other attaches in his office. Sure...I'm pretty game for that kind of stuff. We made it a potluck, with us providing the meat and the booze. Sweet deal. :-)
We had hot dogs, steak, sausage and chicken. John slaved over the BBQ but it was a typical male-bonding experience so he ended up with plenty of help. I set up the bar downstairs, made some rosemary and garlic roasted red potatoes, filled the chip bowls and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Kids seemed to have a blast, some of the little ones got in our hot tub/kid-sized pool. I really like the people John works with and their families - we're lucky!
Even though we used the paper plate/plastic cup route, there were quite a bit of dishes to be done when the party was over. Jake, Lisette and John were great at helping clean up but I jumped into the dishes and got'er done!
Now, I'm going to bed!
We had hot dogs, steak, sausage and chicken. John slaved over the BBQ but it was a typical male-bonding experience so he ended up with plenty of help. I set up the bar downstairs, made some rosemary and garlic roasted red potatoes, filled the chip bowls and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Kids seemed to have a blast, some of the little ones got in our hot tub/kid-sized pool. I really like the people John works with and their families - we're lucky!
Even though we used the paper plate/plastic cup route, there were quite a bit of dishes to be done when the party was over. Jake, Lisette and John were great at helping clean up but I jumped into the dishes and got'er done!
Now, I'm going to bed!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
My Panacea
I've discovered what takes all my ailments away...Sangria! John and I went out and met a bunch of our new friends last night before my stomach had recovered. Some of the ladies had already ordered a pitcher of Sangria and, voila!, my belly ache went away! Score!
This morning, my baby girl headed to Argentina. All by herself! She's surprising her best buddy from down there whose Sweet Sixteen birthday party is tonight. How I wish I could be a fly on the wall when her old friends show up and see her there. Fun, fun, fun!
Around noon, I went with a couple of friends to an art show at the British Ambassador's house (what a house!) but couldn't fall in love with anything so we all left empty handed. We stopped at El Sultan's for some gyros for lunch then I headed home after a quick stop for dog food.
Jake's friend Manny slept over again last night - he's an absolute sweetheart so he's more than welcome! They left with John a little while ago to go play football. If I can, I'll attach last week's football picture of the little boys watching from the stands. They did eventually play too but the clearest picture from the Embassy newsletter is them in the stands. Jake was happy to see himself in "print" (it's an emailed newsletter).
This morning, my baby girl headed to Argentina. All by herself! She's surprising her best buddy from down there whose Sweet Sixteen birthday party is tonight. How I wish I could be a fly on the wall when her old friends show up and see her there. Fun, fun, fun!
Around noon, I went with a couple of friends to an art show at the British Ambassador's house (what a house!) but couldn't fall in love with anything so we all left empty handed. We stopped at El Sultan's for some gyros for lunch then I headed home after a quick stop for dog food.
Jake's friend Manny slept over again last night - he's an absolute sweetheart so he's more than welcome! They left with John a little while ago to go play football. If I can, I'll attach last week's football picture of the little boys watching from the stands. They did eventually play too but the clearest picture from the Embassy newsletter is them in the stands. Jake was happy to see himself in "print" (it's an emailed newsletter).
Friday, September 5, 2008
Good/Bad Mexican Food
I'm supposed to be somewhere in 5 minutes but I may be in the bathroom instead. Such is the fate of us weak gringo stomachs. Lunch was at a Tex-Mex restaurant with good tortilla chips, yummy guacamole, tasty steak burrito and delicious Mexican rice. Perhaps it was simply too much flavour for my stomach to handle but the rumblings began on the taxi ride home.
Today I accompanied the students of the Embassy Spanish teacher on a field trip to a couple of fabric stores. It was a little overwhelming but I'm already looking forward to returning and actually buying some of their beautiful fabric...silk/wool/cashmere mixes in some wonderful patterns.
The opportunity arose today to talk to both the doc and the nurse practitioner about the job I didn't get. They made it obvious that they want me there. I figured out what was really bothering me about the possibility that the job description would be rewritten to accommodate my level of Spanish. Part of it is pride and another is the feeling that it's not really ethical. I suggested to the NP that they keep the level 2 Spanish in the job description, with the condition that the level must be obtained within a certain time limit, say 3 months. She said that made perfect sense and she planned to talk to the Human Resource dept. ASAP. Obviously, my spirits are much higher now about the whole thing. Oh, and I spoke to the Spanish teacher while we were in the taxi and she thinks I can make the level 2 very quickly, I simply need to know the past tense!
So here's to the med clinic and here's to slowing down the digestion of my lunch!
Today I accompanied the students of the Embassy Spanish teacher on a field trip to a couple of fabric stores. It was a little overwhelming but I'm already looking forward to returning and actually buying some of their beautiful fabric...silk/wool/cashmere mixes in some wonderful patterns.
The opportunity arose today to talk to both the doc and the nurse practitioner about the job I didn't get. They made it obvious that they want me there. I figured out what was really bothering me about the possibility that the job description would be rewritten to accommodate my level of Spanish. Part of it is pride and another is the feeling that it's not really ethical. I suggested to the NP that they keep the level 2 Spanish in the job description, with the condition that the level must be obtained within a certain time limit, say 3 months. She said that made perfect sense and she planned to talk to the Human Resource dept. ASAP. Obviously, my spirits are much higher now about the whole thing. Oh, and I spoke to the Spanish teacher while we were in the taxi and she thinks I can make the level 2 very quickly, I simply need to know the past tense!
So here's to the med clinic and here's to slowing down the digestion of my lunch!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Another Day
Yesterday was so depressing. I realized I've never not been hired for a job I've applied for. It's definitely a cruddy feeling. Life lesson #.....
I didn't sleep well last night either, found myself sitting on this couch I'm on now at 4 AM reading until about 6:15...back to bed and I slept through the kids getting up. Finally I got up at around 9:00 and jumped into the shower to rouse myself. I knew Nicole's info and money were due today for her school trip to Machu Picchu and mid-shower I reflected on the hours they they'd be accepting the paperwork etc today. That's when it dawned on me that I only had until 10. Ahhhh! Nothing like panic to fully awaken oneself!
I made it by 10, paperwork not even started but money in hand. Most of the papers were completed/handed in then the rest of my day started.
What was amazing about my morning/early afternoon was the wealth of things I was able to get done. Breakfast, waxed eyebrows, hair styling ($3), hostess gift, new watch battery, notebooks for girls, more cash out, and groceries. I came home at about 1 PM feeling so much better!
There was an Attache Spouse tea this afternoon at the home of a lovely Russian lady. The food was fabulous and we started the whole thing with a shot of vodka. Gotta love the Russians!
Some Bolivian trivia...how to get around...there are three options that I've seen. First, the Radio Taxis. These are what we use, safe and effective to get from point A to point B. Anywhere around our area costs about a dollar. Into the city/to the Embassy costs about 2 dollars. Second, the Truffi. These look just like taxis but they fly two little flags up front. They are cheaper than the Radio Taxis because they pick up multiple riders along the way from point A to point B. Lastly is the MiniBuses (pronounce MeeneeBooses). They are more like minivans but, hey, I didn't name 'em. These are cheaper yet again than the Truffis but work pretty much the same. It's amazing to see one of these pull over, six people pile out to let one person loose at their destination, pile back in and the "bus" pulls away before the sliding door can be closed again. Remember, the minimum wage per month here is equivalent to $70 U.S. - those MiniBuses are probably not for everyone...there's a lot of walkers here too.
I didn't sleep well last night either, found myself sitting on this couch I'm on now at 4 AM reading until about 6:15...back to bed and I slept through the kids getting up. Finally I got up at around 9:00 and jumped into the shower to rouse myself. I knew Nicole's info and money were due today for her school trip to Machu Picchu and mid-shower I reflected on the hours they they'd be accepting the paperwork etc today. That's when it dawned on me that I only had until 10. Ahhhh! Nothing like panic to fully awaken oneself!
I made it by 10, paperwork not even started but money in hand. Most of the papers were completed/handed in then the rest of my day started.
What was amazing about my morning/early afternoon was the wealth of things I was able to get done. Breakfast, waxed eyebrows, hair styling ($3), hostess gift, new watch battery, notebooks for girls, more cash out, and groceries. I came home at about 1 PM feeling so much better!
There was an Attache Spouse tea this afternoon at the home of a lovely Russian lady. The food was fabulous and we started the whole thing with a shot of vodka. Gotta love the Russians!
Some Bolivian trivia...how to get around...there are three options that I've seen. First, the Radio Taxis. These are what we use, safe and effective to get from point A to point B. Anywhere around our area costs about a dollar. Into the city/to the Embassy costs about 2 dollars. Second, the Truffi. These look just like taxis but they fly two little flags up front. They are cheaper than the Radio Taxis because they pick up multiple riders along the way from point A to point B. Lastly is the MiniBuses (pronounce MeeneeBooses). They are more like minivans but, hey, I didn't name 'em. These are cheaper yet again than the Truffis but work pretty much the same. It's amazing to see one of these pull over, six people pile out to let one person loose at their destination, pile back in and the "bus" pulls away before the sliding door can be closed again. Remember, the minimum wage per month here is equivalent to $70 U.S. - those MiniBuses are probably not for everyone...there's a lot of walkers here too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
