The List

Just a couple more days now...I'm now staying at the CBM apartment and am enjoying various visits with friends and jovenes (I don't think it's really sunk in yet that I head out in 2 days). There have been a few people who have asked what I'm going to miss from Bolivia . So here's what comes to mind...


What I'm going to miss from Bolivia:

- all the fresh fruit and vegetables (there's amazing variety that is also unbelievably cheap!)

- outdoor markets

- the beautiful flowers and flowering trees that can be enjoyed year-around

- the music and bright colors of the ethnic clothing

- the breath-taking mountains

- the more personal way of greeting one another

- cheap and easy public transportation including taxis, buses, and "trufis"

- Spanish - although I still have much to learn and sometimes think it's hopeless, I love the sound of the language

- the friends that I've made so far (both from other countries and here)

- the potential and energy of the adolescentes and jovenes

- Bolivian food - it's very different with every region having specialties...I've been trying to learn to cook some of it but I don't think it's possible to replicate much outside of Bolivia

- the vast differences in scenery (from mountains to the jungle) - it's like there are different countries all within Bolivia and all accessible within a 3 or 4 hour drive


What I'm not going to miss:

- the smell of rotting garbage and urine in the streets

- the many times of feeling uncertain and inadequate regarding ministry, language, and figuring out life here in general (the feelings still haven't left and probably never fully will)

- the continuous sounds and sights of dogs...they're everywhere - sometimes playing, sometimes fighting; sometimes alone or in packs but almost always constantly barking - day and night

- a lack of street signs - for one who can be directionally challenged, this does not help the situation :)

- the water - I'm excited to be able to soon drink out of the tap and not be wondering much of the time whether I'm going to be having intestinal problems due to the water, the food or both

- wondering whether what I've just bought will be either broken or unsafe in some way





'til next time,
rebecca