Everyone from the School traveled to Copacabana this weekend, looking for a relaxing weekend on the "beaches" of Lago Titicaca. Because I've been to Copacabana more than enough, and because hanging out with 5 Elementary female teachers didn't sound relaxing, I decided to hang back and play in the opening round of the La Paz Softball Playoffs. My team: The Japanese Condors. We'll see what happens. Hopefully my bat remains hot as I'm hitting .900 in August. I've decided on the first trip for the Mountaineering Club. We'll be leaving in 2 weekends for the Zongo Valley where we'll be camping and climbing NEAR Tiquimani, not up it. I'll probably just allow about 5 students to come on this one, because of supplies and whatnot, but it should be a good time. It is by far the most beautiful location that I have found in the Cordillera Real. If I ever figure out how to post pictures on this Blogspot, I will definately do it. Other than that, it's been a pretty tranquilo weekend. I saw a bad movie last night with Heather and Kara (the new WMF intern in El Alto). We got some coffee afterwards and I watched Heather make a diagram on paper that linked about 100 actors/actresses in Holleywood relating to who they've dated or married. She thinks it answers a lot of questions as to why people do movies together (to get back at ex-lovers and whatnot). I was too tired to really pay attention as she did it, but it got a lot more interesting when we did it with our own lives afterwards. The Scott/Voss/Kate/Jordan/Brent/Amanda relationships are always funny to re-live. That's it.
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Saturday, August 27, 2005
weekend
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
in the news...
I read in the Bolivian papers today about a comment from Christian Broadcaster Pat Robertson making a comment about wanting the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.....or at least that was my "professional" translation from Spanish to English. The writer had never heard of Pat Robertson, but the comment made the Bolivian papers because of the close involvement with Chavez to many of the Bolivian socialist leaders, such as Evo Moralis.
I don't know much on what was said, but from what I read, it seems about as ignorant a comment as I've heard in a long time. The controversey once again boils down to a socialist government, that the US (or Pat Robertson) views as a possible staging point for the "invasion" of communism (alongside Fidel Castro of Cuba) into the Americas. In my opinion, the assassination of one leader will bring about another in time because.... Socialism will always be a draw in places where people are oppressed and the poor are seen in masses. Maybe Socialism isn't the problem (if you think it is one at all) that we should be reacting to in the first place.
Again, I did not read much on what was said, but I think the comment in itself probably shows the root of a big problem between US thought and many of the countries of this world. Can people in these countries help but call the US imperialists?
In related news, I'm thinking of setting up a socialist type of system at my school in Mallasilla. I'm gaining support rather quickly among the students. My principle, on the other hand....
I now have a cell phone, and my number is 705-51-798. i don't know the Bollivian code if you're calling from the states, but feel free to find out if the mood strikes you! Also, the school is getting a new mailing address sometime soon, so I'll post that as soon as I find out what it is. Just remember, 705-51-798
I don't know much on what was said, but from what I read, it seems about as ignorant a comment as I've heard in a long time. The controversey once again boils down to a socialist government, that the US (or Pat Robertson) views as a possible staging point for the "invasion" of communism (alongside Fidel Castro of Cuba) into the Americas. In my opinion, the assassination of one leader will bring about another in time because.... Socialism will always be a draw in places where people are oppressed and the poor are seen in masses. Maybe Socialism isn't the problem (if you think it is one at all) that we should be reacting to in the first place.
Again, I did not read much on what was said, but I think the comment in itself probably shows the root of a big problem between US thought and many of the countries of this world. Can people in these countries help but call the US imperialists?
In related news, I'm thinking of setting up a socialist type of system at my school in Mallasilla. I'm gaining support rather quickly among the students. My principle, on the other hand....
I now have a cell phone, and my number is 705-51-798. i don't know the Bollivian code if you're calling from the states, but feel free to find out if the mood strikes you! Also, the school is getting a new mailing address sometime soon, so I'll post that as soon as I find out what it is. Just remember, 705-51-798
Monday, August 15, 2005
First Day Back
Well, my time in the States has already come to an end, and it turned out to be a wonderful two months. It was harder than I had expected, as I had to say hello and goodbye to family and many good friends in practically the same breath....never knowing quite what to say about Bolivia and scared to talk about it too much.
And now I find myself back in this land that continually amazes me. Coming down into the city this morning was surreal, as it fully dawned on me that this is my next year....in this place....with these people. I went immediately from the airplane to the school this morning, where I met new teachers and new students, while re-uniting with the old ones. I was pretty tired going into the day, but energy came in the form of seeing little Sarah run at me and a big hug, or the conversations that took place all day long. I had an assignment in my 8th classes where we had to share what we learned this summer and how we were going to apply it in our lives (which they knew was coming in some shape or form). I was instantaneously reminded by Jose Manuel how ridiculous junior highers can be when he shared that he learned that too many video games causes severe pain in the eyes and that in the future he will use eye drops. Directly after Berman reminded me how awesomely sincere junior highers can be as he shared about an experience over the summer where the Lord spoke to him and he felt the spirit of God fill him to the point where he couldn't help but to cry and laugh at the same time. As he talked to the class about what God had told him, tears flooded his eyes while he recalled the feeling of having a personal God in his life. Amazing...the depth of children.
All in all, it's good to back. Scary that I'll be here for a year, but very good. Thanks to all who made my summer so enjoyable.
And now I find myself back in this land that continually amazes me. Coming down into the city this morning was surreal, as it fully dawned on me that this is my next year....in this place....with these people. I went immediately from the airplane to the school this morning, where I met new teachers and new students, while re-uniting with the old ones. I was pretty tired going into the day, but energy came in the form of seeing little Sarah run at me and a big hug, or the conversations that took place all day long. I had an assignment in my 8th classes where we had to share what we learned this summer and how we were going to apply it in our lives (which they knew was coming in some shape or form). I was instantaneously reminded by Jose Manuel how ridiculous junior highers can be when he shared that he learned that too many video games causes severe pain in the eyes and that in the future he will use eye drops. Directly after Berman reminded me how awesomely sincere junior highers can be as he shared about an experience over the summer where the Lord spoke to him and he felt the spirit of God fill him to the point where he couldn't help but to cry and laugh at the same time. As he talked to the class about what God had told him, tears flooded his eyes while he recalled the feeling of having a personal God in his life. Amazing...the depth of children.
All in all, it's good to back. Scary that I'll be here for a year, but very good. Thanks to all who made my summer so enjoyable.
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