Sort of getting into a routine

I’ve been here for two weeks.  I’ve gotten used to things such as livestock roaming freely in the road, instant milk for breakfast and boiled water.  Also, the Madres can hardly believe that my dad taught me how to make cheese cake.  I guess men don't really cook here.

I’ve taken on most of my responsibilities at this point.  I spend the morning in the jugueteria with the youngest kids (usually between 12 and 16 of them).  In the afternoon and evening, I open a library for the girls to do homework and read.  I also walk the kinder kids to and from school in the afternoon. 

Last week, Don Poncho (our driver and handyman) took me and two other girls outside of Montero to deliver clothes to the poor.  Our hogar receives lots of clothing donations.  So many that our girls are permitted to be picky.  The clothes that fit no one or that no one wants to wear are given to the poor.  We left the paved roads of Montero and entered the dusty outskirts of town.  There, the livestock is more prevalent.  We stopped along side the road in a community, Don Poncho called the people out of their homes, and we emptied bag after bag of clothes, which were well received.

 

We are in the dry season, so it is currently very dusty and smoky.  The farmers use fire to clear the fields after harvest.  Also, I hear the rainforest is on fire?  On a brighter note, the kid to the right (one of my favorites!) was adopted today!

Everyone is named Maria

Hola!

I am here in beautiful Bolivia.  I was welcomed at the airport by some SLMs, Madres and a crowd of girls.  This week has been filled with all sorts of new and wonderful experiences, from riding on a motorcycle for the first time (side-saddle at that), to livestock in the middle of the road, to showering with water heated with an electric current (I touched the handle this morning and got shocked). 

I am currently living at the convent, just a block away from the Hogar, until last year´s volunteers leave.  Then I´ll move into the Hogar.  There are guard dogs everywhere, and they are trained to hate men.  Which probably isn´t that hard given that they are raised by nuns and many, many girls.  At the hogar, we have two guard dogs in training.  From what I can gather, that means they wear harnesses and play with the girls all day.  Including during supper.  Luna (a shepard mix at the convent) and I are good friends now, but she throws a fit if a man walks through.

Thus far, I know maybe 20 names.  At least 15 of them involve some form of Mary.  My site partner, Melia, will be here in mid-September.  I told someone her name, and it was repeated back as "Maria?"  Oh, it is going to get so confusing.  Aside from not knowing what to call anyone, the girls (and a few little boys) and wonderful.  Very sweet, and they just need so much love.

This morning, I went shopping in the market in Montero.  So many new smells!  And most of them were good.  We passed through the "witchcraft" section.  They were selling dried llama fetuses (I couldn´t smell them).  Apparently, you are supposed to bury them under your house for good luck. 

I´ve just been piddling around this week.  My only responsibility was to "realize that I´m in Bolivia."  I can´t wait to get to know the girls better!

Getting antsy

Ok, so I'm not actually in Bolivia yet.  But I will be soon!  Today's the day.  Rather, tonight is the night, and tomorrow is the day.  My flight leaves at 11:45 pm and arrives in Lima, Peru at the crack of dawn.  I'll hang out with the Peruvians for a few hours, then fly on into Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  Here I will be met by last year's volunteers and the sisters, who will take me to the Hogar.
Maybe I should back up.  I will be serving as a Salesian Lay Missioner at Hogar Sagrado Corazon, an orphanage for girls in Montero, Bolivia, for the next 10-ish months.  The Salesians serve abandoned and impoverished youth around the world.  With the Salesians, faith and fun become one.  I've spend the past five weeks in orientation sessions, youth day camps and a retreat with Salesian priests and brothers.  No, I don't really speak spanish, but I'll work that out as I go.  Got to go get packed up!