The Food

       So I thought I would inform everyone on the types of food I have been eating here. After all, what is culture without food? Well, for breakfast before school I usually have some type of bread thing, maybe a crepe, muffin or toast with cheese, coffee, orange juice, and occasionally some drinkable yogurt. Breakfast is usually small, just to get through until a snack at 10 or 11. For snack time at school I normally buy a small cup of soda (1 boliviano) and an empanada, ham and cheese sandwich, Saltena (the soup in bread), or a doughnut. And then comes lunch, the biggest, most important meal of the day. Lunch for my family is always at one o'clock. Our housekeeper always prepares the meal, with my mom helping out occasionally. We start lunch with a small salad, with some kind of meat or other topping (today it was tuna wrapped in a crepe and tomatoes). Next is the main course, always a meat dish and a veggie dish, and I get my own special bowl of rice, I apparently made it clear from the start that I love rice, which I do. And we always have dessert. Maybe it's a pie, a cake, crepes with nutella, flan, custard, ice cream.....everything is always delicious, and everything is always solely for the purpose of fattening me up. I definitely would not be surprised if I double my body weight. And It's not as if I can just cut back on portion size, no, that would be like opening a bottle of fancy wine and only taking a sip, food here is never wasted. Besides, who would only take one leg of deliciously seasoned juicy and crisp chicken leg? And dinner is always different. Sometimes I will eat out with friends, sometimes my parents will have dinner at home, invite friends over, have a barbeque, go to a barbeque, host a fancy dinner party with three sets of silverware and fancy napkins, it all just depends on what you feel like doing. One thing I enjoyed was having pizza for the first time since arriving. It was incredible, no more half cooked freezer pizzas, no, this was truly the best pizza I have ever had. And we ate it with forks and knives like classy, civilized people, and not to be ironic.
       I love the food here. There has not been one food I turned down, and I have not had one regret about eating anything....Although those saltenas always get the best of me, they are still amazing.
       One thing I am positive about is that I will not be missing cheesburgers or hot dogs.


Word of the Day: Industria - industry

Just thought I'd say...

It's hot. Hot enough for me to begin to miss fall in Wisconsin, where I could easy rock a scarf without looking rediculous. I brought 13 scarves. This wasn't a good idea. For anyone who knows me, they know that my thing is scarves. It's just me. I always wear scarves. It's been a struggle, but I have been forced to make myself not wear scarves in the 95 degree weather. It seems stupid, but it's been hard. When the house is at reasonable temperature in the afternoon, sometimes I have to wear a scarf, just for old times sake. I'm becoming a new person without my shield of scarves I always surrounded myself with. This is definitely a new beginning and a new me.
And if your laughing at how stupid this sounds, that's just because I am just loca. *smiley face*

Word of the Day

I think maybe I will start doing a word of the day. Each day I will put on here on word that I learned that day. along with my blog. The only thing is I am not on here every day, so I'll just do it every time I post something. Starting with this post.
Word of the day: Estampia - postage stamp

It's only H1N1....no big deal

So today I went to school like any other day (in an extremely nice SUV with our driver), except when I got to school I wasn't greeted by my friends, I was greeted by the principal who told me there was no school. I asked why but he talked fast and couldn't understand. So I called my mom to pick me up. When we got home I asked why there wasn't any school for 10 days. She told me it was because 4 people in secondary school have H1N1 and they are closing school to give all the students vaccinations. The next day we have school is October 10th....my birthday, what luck. Well anyway, thankful for some time off. Exited for my trip with Rotary to some orchid festival 5 hours away, should be loads of fun. We're going with students form other Rotary clubs, so that adds to the fun factor!!
Woot. Glad I don't have H1N1!! Happy to be here!!

As Usual

As usual I have been having a wonderful time here. I went to the country with family and friends. I went Kayaking in (on?) a lagoon and saw a Capybara, the largest rodent on earth. It looks likea pig/bear/rat thing. Super cool. I learned about them on Zaboomafoo when I was little, and have always wanted to see one. Childhood dream realized. I can check that off my life list. School is great, all my firends are so nice and always invite me to do things. I am so busy! It's fun having things to do, a purpose. Well, as usual, there is so much to say, not enough words to say them with. 

These are some girls in my Rotary club. Missing two. We won soccer at our Rotary clubs Carmes. And I didn't even wear shoes!! All the Rotarians couldn't beleive I played without shoes. It's okay,my toenails were gross but I got a pedicure for the first time and loved it.

Luv these girls!!

Spring!!

Today is the first day of Spring!! And also it is Day of the Student. At school we had a party during the last period. We ate cake and Saltenia's, which are basically bread with soup baked inside it. They are traditional in Bolivia, and it is quite obvious when eating it if you are from Bolivia or not because everyone here knows the art of eating it, and me, well lets just say more of it ended up on my shirt than in my mouth. It was a fun day and tonight is my Rotary clubs weekly meeting I am exited for. Also exited for the Feria this weekend, live music and friends, the best combination.

Third world, really.

So despite living in a nice house in a gated community and having a housekeeper and a driver and all that, I still live in a third world country. There is still dirt roads, even in the city.there is poverty and wealth all mixed together in one very large city. I go to nice restaurants with steak and wine, and I go to dirt floor restaurants (which have better pork than the fancy places, you really pay for the looks here).There is such a variety here. Yes, some of my classmates have iPhones, and the ones who don't have iPhones have Balckberry's, but there is also the opposite, like homeless people on every street and so much garbage in the river that the river is just a trickle. I wasn't suprised to find that people sell things at intersections, and offer to wash windshields for just cents, but I was suprised when I saw a man selling puppies at an intersection. they looked barely a week old, and he had a whole crate of the, offering them to passing cars. It was probably the most different thing I have seen here. I wasn't appalled or anything, just I guess taken back by how up front people can be here. the man obviously drew a lot of attention to himself with the adorable little fuzzballs, therefore probably sold many. People here don't hold things back, if they need money the will ask for it. The extra 2 boliviano (the equivalent of about  cents about) will make people so grateful, and happy that someone cares. So yes, I live in a large city of around two million, and yes, there is a population of rediculously wealthy people, but there is so much poverty here, that I can really feel the weight of living in a third world country, with a large population barely making ends meet, begging for money on the street or making their children sell chicklets to people on the street. It really is the best of both worlds.

Candy apples and stuffed bears

Today I went out with some other exchange students to a restaurant called Lorca. It's a nice restaurant, I have been there a couple times before. We had delicious lemonade, mocha shakes and gespacho (I don't know how to spell it, just sound it out) its a soup. After, we got candy apples from a vendor on the street. And we went to another restaurant to see if we could go to the roof, on the way up we meet a stuffed bear, a stuffed lion, a suit of armor and a pirate. We took a lot of pictures with the bear and the lion. I had a really nice time and they are really great people. We have so much in common, and we all have that instant bond that only exchange students would understand. We are from Wisconsin, Alaska, New York (2), and Indiana. I think we represent a variety of the U.S. Tonight was very fun, I'm exited to do it again, and I'm sure we will. 

(two others not in picture) *from left, Amy from Alaska, Emily from New York, and Me. All with de-lish-us candy apples!!

Stuff. Enough said.

     Sorry I have not had a post in a while. I have been quite the busy bee. I went to the Feria in my town. It was so different from any fair i have been too in the states. It was mostly advertisements, and supermodels in fancy dresses, and posh show rooms for Ducati's and Porche's. And we went to a really nice cocktail party for Entel, the largest phone company in Bolivia, and there were people dressed up as superheroes and flash drives, and a big fountain with flashy lights and waiters in tux's serving tiny finger food and sushi and wine. It was very nice, so i had to dress up (not my forte) and my mother helped me get ready which I am gratefull for because otherwise I would be a mess.
     Today I went with some Rotarians to their house outside Santa Cruz in the country, by a small town called La Guardia. It was so beautiful, and the view from their land was incredible. We ate at a small German style restaurant and I ate knee of pig! The piece of meat was literally bigger than my head! I couldn't eat all of it. I also had a sort sour craut, which reminded me of Wisconsin. We got fresh mandarins at a produce stand, it was very delicious. It has been a little chilly here, usually it's hotter than Wisconsin summers, but lately it has been like Wisconsin in early Autumn, around 70 degrees,and VERY windy. If any of you are form central Wisconsin and remember that terrible windstorm, well all the time here it is worse than that. I have almost fallen over in the wind.....almost.

   
       So that's what happening in my life now. All week there will be feria and it should be a good time around the 24 for the anniversary of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. I am very exited for all that will come. :)

Some street art I have seen here

 "Amo mi Vida" is "I love my life"

other exchange students.

Since I'm taking a Spanish class, I have meet other exchange students in Santa cruz, not only from Rotary but also A.F.S. Which also does 1 year exchanges. Today after our class, i went with some new friends to a salsa class. I wasn't prepared at all, but it was fun. After that I met up with Emily, who's an exchange student through Rotary from Indiana, she is in my classes at school. We went for a couple lemonades at a nice restaurant and talked for hours, and explored the area around the main plaza in the center of the city. Also fed chocolate croissant to a stray cat we named Marvin. I had a really great time. And I really love this city. It has been cold and rainy the past couple of days, and will continue. By cold i mean in the 60's. Haha. Everyone is complaining about the mosquitos, but after living in Wisconsin, these mosquitos do not compare. And as far as the smog in the city, everyone is saying how bad it is, but I can only see it at dusk after the sun sets, and its actually pretty, the sky being lit up by the lights of the city. It is truly beautiful here. I am loving every moment.

Something different. Something the same.

Today I ordered a muffin at school. I got a donut. It was very different than american donuts. It was kind of crunchy and had chocolate in it. Also today I had noodles with a sort of alfredo sauce, which is one of my favorite foods. There's a little of everything here. New experiences every day.

The milk here comes in bags instead of boxes. Interesting....

So, school.

Well I have now gone to school twice. It's pretty easy. It's very different. The school day is REALLY short. We end at 12:30 or 12:45. Im used to school ending around 3:00. I like that the group of students sticks together in each class, Im used to a complete change of students,which would be hard for a new student. I had English class today, I didn't do anything. I helped some people out, though. Tonight I begin my Spanish classes. Every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of October (I think). This will definitely help. Having a great time!

First Day of School

First time I have been to a private school. First time I wear a uniform. It's actually really easy.It's a lot more relaxed than my school in Waupaca. Made so many new friends!! Got invited to a lot of events, even planning things for New Years! I am happy to have so many people talking to me and helping me with my spanish. Its good to learn things i wouldn't learn in Spanish class. They say I look like Reese Witherspoon. Best. Compliment. Ever. Having a great time! Weather is nice. A little windy this evening.

finally, some pictures

These are from my trip to La Paz. And yes, those are alpaca fetuses. 

Leaving the beautiful city of La Paz

Today in La Paz was Dia Sin Coches, day without cars. Yes, a city of over 2 million people went without cars for a whole day. Had to be somewhere? Walk or bike. We used a taxi issued by the hotel because we had to get to the airport which was far away. I only saw like 10 cars. Everyone was biking. Usually the city is packed with cars. There ar so many cars that in order to get a few blocks it takes 10 minutes and a few close encounters with pedestrians or dogs. But today was a day of healthy living. I´m suprised at how the people received the idea of no cars, this rule ws well followed. I don´t think a city this big in america would take to well to this idea.

On the way to the airport, we stopped to see the view. It was truly amazing, a sea of houses and skyscrapers. The people looked like ants and the moutains looked like paintings, they were incredible.
It was one of the most beautful things I have ever seen. And now I have to leave it.

I hope I get to come back to La Paz before I leave. It´s amazing. Pictures soon!

Copacabana, Lake Titicaca

Today I woke up early and we took a taxi to get on a  mini bus (its like a van, that holds like 12 people). We were crammed in the mini bus with 10 other people as we went up the mountains on some pretty sketchy roads going about 65 miles and hour. On top of that I was already sick and had a huge headache. It was terrible but the view was incredible. We got to a  small town and took a boat across a small section of Lake Titicaca and onto and island then another taxi for about an hour, stopping once and a while to take pictures. It reminded me of California, with golden rolling hills, the sky was bright blue with big puffy white clouds. One of the scariest things that happened tome was while we were in the third taxi going fast around a corner there were two stray dogs in the road and the driver beeped but one of the dogs didn't get out of the way and was hit by the car. The driver just kept driving and said it wasn't his fault.I think the dog might be okay though. But it was still really scary and sad. La Paz is the most amazing city I have ever been to.It is so beautiful and at night the sides of the valley are lit up by the houses and it looks like thousands of stars. One thing I like is all the people. Everywhere we go there are people. It is very different than Wisconsin that is for sure. I will post pictures tomorrow.

mi cuerpo no le gusta el altiplano

(That means my body does not like the elevation) No pictures right now because I forgot my camera cord, lo siento. Im taking lots of amazing photos. La Paz is incredible. Its in the mountains at 4000 feet above sea level. Im getting sick because of the four flights in two days, elevation difference, lack of sleep, different foods, and more. I mostly just get dizzy and my body aches, back ache, stomach ache, headache. But other than physical pains, Im very happy and enjoying my time here. When we got off the plane in La Paz it was 30 degrees fahrenheit  and it reminded me of November in Wisconsin. Th food is really similar to american food, just prepared a little differently. I had steak last night, and we had sides of rice, papas fritas (french fries), and a veggie which is really similar to potato, that was fried, so like big french fries, we ate those with hot sauce which was really good. For breakfast I had coffee. We are staying in a really nice hotel. My host father needed to visit the French embacy which is why we are here. We are staying in one of the nicest hotels I have ever been to, or seen. Its so great to be here. I start school on Monday.

The Neighboors

There are like 5 dogs and a couple cats outside barking and howling. Sounds like they are having a conversation.

Finally Made It!!

After waiting for a very long time, I am actually in Bolivia. Its beautiful here. Everyone Ive met is so nice. My host parents are great. They have provided me with everything I could possibly need or want. Tomorrow I will fly with them to La Paz, the capitol city of Bolivia. It is only an hour flight, and it will be cold there. On my flight from Miami to Santa Cruz, the plane stopped in La Paz to let some people off. The captian said the temperature was 1 degree celcius, thats about 30 degrees ferenheit. Remember, summer in the northern hemisphere is the opposite here, so its winter. The city I live in is not cold though, Id say it is the same temperature as when I left Green Bay. But La Paz is up in the mountains so its much colder. Im happy to be here, and very exited to start school. Ciao!