Worth the Wait!

Hola mis queridos hermanos y hermanas!

I have been in Bolivia since 2pm on Friday, after a night of plane delays (what was an 11pm departure became a 5am departure), a just-in-time connection, and a 45 minute bus ride (which took an hour due to a main road blockade). Needless to say, we were all exhausted! But the moment the gates to the BLC opened, I got a burst of energy I could have lived off of for days.

There was one pequeno out in front who spotted us, then raced the bus around the corner to its parking spot, alerting the rest of the boys that we had (finally) arrived. When the team and I got off the bus, the kids quickly jumped from person to person, checking out the new gringos in town.

Carlos - a mediano who came into the BLC years ago without knowledge about the use of silverware (Mom and Dad-- do we have any cousins in Bolivia?)- was the first one who spotted me. He came up and embraced me, and then I knew I was back as he pointed out to the field where the cows were grazing, saying, "Amanda, la vaca gorda!", which was their affectionate and endearing name for me. There is a cow named Amanda now, and we've been confused by the boys multiple times as sisters. =) It was then that I realized that I am exactly where I am supposed to be this month.

The first night we got in we got to spend a few hours just hanging out with the boyus, and later we got to read/play cards with the medianos, and have tickle time with the pequenos. I felt in my element again. Then today we went to the really neat park all day. I got to shoot some hoops with some of my favorite grandes, and then spectate a Bolivian Women's Basketball league! It was quite interesting-- they have a pretty lenient travel violation rule =)

The afternoon was spent on what the boys call a double-wide slide, but all others call a half-pipe. We spent hours sliding down the half pipe in groups, kicking balls and hula hoops, and creating all sorts of other competitions. It was a blast.

The team that I arrived here with is wonderful-- mostly young adults with a TON of energy and various talents and gifts. They are so eager to experience the BLC and can keep up with the boys!!

My Spanish feels better than expected. I thought I'd be pretty rusty. I did have one slip up... I asked one of the boys if he had "hombre" (a man) instead of "hambre" (hunger). But the boys have been patient in helping me shake off the dust though =)

I am out of time, but I do miss the States and am looking forward to sharing my adventures via blog again!

Con Carino,
Tia Amanda