Trying to add photos!!

I've been at this for hours! I've been trying to add pics from the trip, but I have no idea if it got linked! If the pictures go through, so of them are still bad because I'm just getting used to the camera.

Anyway, lots happens everyday and I fall behind in blogging. Time here seems endless! It makes a big difference not having distractions like phones and TV. We also are only working 4 days a week. I'm not used to so much time! When we returned from our rural adventure, I took a long wonderful shower. I felt so dirty from the hostel. That evening we went to eat dinner at Casa del Cambo, a traditional Bolivian restaurant. It would be equivalent to a fancy restaurant at home, but our entire meal with appetizers wine, beer, and dinner was $10 each. The restaurant itself was akin to Fogo de Chao, with the waiters all dressed up. They did have a cheesy background keyboard singer throwing out a mix between traditional bolivian music and cheesy 80's songs.

Saturday, my boss for this month and her husband arrived. That evening, Sharon (the canadian social worker), took usto a Bolivian baptism. She had befriended a Bolivian family during her last visit and they had asked her to serve as Godmother. We arrived at the church super early. But it was nice, different than at home. Only the mother and godparents were there for each of the families. Sharon was Godmother to 2 year old Jose Eduardo. A 3 year old girl named Sharon was also getting baptised. Afterward, we made our way to the family's house for the party. Their house was humble. They had set the party up in the front yard with the chickens and dogs. The BBQ pit was made with a chain linked fence. But the amount of food they bought must have cost them a years worth of salary (actually, I think Sharon bought a bunch of it). They were so excited to have the Americans at their party. The food was delicious, even though I knew that I would probably pay for it later! We played soccer with the kids. Later in the evening there was lots of dancing. It was great.

Sunday, we finally made it to a carnavale party. So, they had warned us to wear clothes that we wouldn't mind getting wet and dirty. I was thinking that we were going to this family's house and that maybe they would throw a few water balloons at us. Oh no, this is a city wide water balloon fight! Everyone from the very young to the very old get into it. We arrived at our host's aunt and uncle's house. After greeting everyone, his aunt, who is about 70 years old, walks over to a bucket of water, takes it and dumps it over our head! After that, it all broke loose! There's strategy involved. There is also lots of dye involved. I was drenched from head to toe and also covered in paint! If a gringo attempts to walk down the street, you are just pelted with dyed water, foam, waterballoon, hoses. There's so much coming at you that you can't tell where it's coming from! Everyone's is into it, I loved it!

When we came back to the house, a whole bunch more people arrived. Yuna, the 1st year NW student left and so did Sharon, the canadian SW. Now there is an OB attending from Wright state that brought a resident and a student. There is also a 4th year student from UCSF who has been traveling around central america and is staying for a month. There is an attending from UC Davis, and a college student who will be staying for 5 months as a volunteer! We are packed into the house now! It's still a lot of fun hearing of everyone's story!