Yesterday we were very fortunate to have the chance to visit a school in the southern area of Cochabamba. This is supposed to be the more impoverished area, with dirt roads and brown colored square buildings covering the mountaintop. The landscape here is very monochromatic. It feels like and is a different world. The people we have met son muy agradable. The principle and other leader gave us an over view of their school, El Molino. It was a private school, though not to be compared to what we think of when we say private in the US. The children ranged from pre kinder to high school. They were all wearing navy blue and red uniforms. There is no government subsidy for education, and in order to cut costs, the children only have school until about 1¨30pm.
After our talk in the main room where they served us coca cola (which tastes much better here because it´s made from real cane sugar), the head maestra got a blowhorn and gathered all the children in the little playground and and told them to pose for una photografia. She then took us each to the different classrooms, and introduced us to the students, almost as if parading us around. It was a bizarre feeling, but it was probably equally bizarre for them. We saw some of the older kids taking pictures of us on their cell phones, which was ironically a comforting feeling. They also had these cool and inspiring quotes painted all over el colegio, como, ¨No te sientas, solo estoy yo para compartir tus penas.¨ y mi favorito, ¨la escuela no es el edificio, es el espiritu¨ (the school is not the building, it is the spirit). After our ´tour´ we were able to play with the kindergarten children, and had a great time exchanging names and telling stories about ourselves, and asking questions of them. It was a highlight for many.
After a great lunch at a place called La Campa... we went to La Cancha, the largest market in South America. It was overwhelming. I´ve been to a number of different markets internationally, and I can say this was like no other. We did a brief walk through one portion, which had many interesting smells, and many intersting things ' from amazingly beatiful fruitas y, meats, clothes, blankets, pastas, sweets, local superstitions (llama fetuses), and muchos otras cosas. Again, my best word to describe the market was overwhelming. We also had to be careful in terms of safety. At one point, 5 men tried surrounding our group, scoping us out since we were obviously tourists. They then tried to grab one of the students in the back of the line, but luckily on of the FSD leaders was able to save him from being robbed. It was a good reminder of where we are. There are very few tourists here, so we, especially as a large grupo, stand out mucho. (as you can see, my spanish is starting to creep into my thoughts, and writing. I´m so glad to have this practice).
This is all for now. We are looking forward to our time in Tiraque, where our service will take place. (there will be no internet there, so my next update won´t be for at least a week). I´m excited about the fact that we will be working with the children and teachers to develop our goals together. overall, it´s been a great experience. hasta luego...
As you can see, my spanish skills are starting to peek in here and there, even in my thinking, que bueno.
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