Arequipa and Back

Here are some picture of the weekend. I went to Arequipa over the weekend and got to celebrate two carnaval's, because I made it back in time for the La Paz carnaval on Tuesday. I will write of what happened over the weekend when I get the chance. Right now I have to plan for another day of teaching....

A picture of Monica and I in front of the fountain at the Plaza de Armas.

A Picture of us in front of the main Cathedral in the center of town (photo taken a completely different night)

Carnaval in La Paz. As soon as I got back from Arequipa, I got hit multiple times by water balloons. In fact, right now I sit at the computer soaking wet (i saw the truck coming full of teenagers, but I froze). That is one huge difference between La Paz and Arequipa. In La Paz, they mostly throw water balloons. In Arequipa, they mostly throw buckets of water, paint, and motor oil. I still don't understand the oil, but we were able to stay away from it the whole time. Back in La Paz, the costumes and dances continued all day. Very very interesting time.

Ok I will post in the next couple of days to tell everyone about the weekend. Hope all is well.

Ceja Stares

Walking in El Alto, especially the Ceja (or eyebrow), almost always brings amusement. I swear, these people have never seen a blonde person in their life. Minutes ago, I passed a group of teenage looking guys, and one of them nudged his friends to look at me. They stared, and stared, and stared, and then laughed and laughed and laughed (really, this is a pretty daily routine walking through the Ceja). Then, they attempted to pelt me with about 10 water balloons (also pretty ordinary for Carnival season). None of the balloons hit me. I almost started to laugh, being they couldn't hit me from 15 feet away. Instead, I told them they should try using their feet next time. Then I laughed.

Carnaval 2006

so far, no hits on me. count may rise exponentially in this next week.

the time has come.....

so why haven't i been posting??

1. I'm lazy
2. I don't have much to say
3. The times I'm near a computer, I'm tired

Right now, all three of the above apply. But I'm gonna suck it up, and try to write a little bit.

Times are starting to get exciting in South America. Carnaval is quickly approaching, which means that everyone under the age of 60 gets excited. Grown men find themselved chucking water balloons at helpless youngsters, while the youngsters devise over-ly complex plans to wet the elderly (which is everyone above the age of 30 for them). Women who think it is a childish thing to do suddenly begin filling water balloons out of revenge and protection, and gringos find themselves constantly running for cover, lest they get the brunt of everyones pent-up water-balloon-throwing energy.

Knowing that this is my last Carnaval for a few years (at least I think), I am saving up my energy for one day. I am saving up my balloons for one day. I am saving everything I have, for one glorious day of gringo revenge. I will wet the young and the old, the teething and the balding, and the male and the female.

You see, Wes and I have begun discussing plans. We have a catapult (sp?) in our mind, built on our Deck, and able to hit anyone within a square mile. In addition, I have the support of twelve 8th grade students (possibly less depending on the mood of the girls). And lets face it, 8th grade boys, and anyone willing to teach 8th grade boys, were made for this holiday.

This is the month where water is our friend, and childhood returns to everyone, the young and the old. It is the month of Carnaval....the greatest holiday ever created.....

---pics to come---