The Hospital, Coffee, Alasitas, and The Strongest
So. A lot has happened since my last post.
The Hospital
I was supposed to start work on the February 2nd, but found myself in the hospital for 4 days! I had been sick for about 5 days before; managing it with a lot of rehydration powder, Gatorade and rice but it got the best of me and it was necessary to check-in to La Clinica del Sur; one of the best hospitals in La Paz. I had no prior experience with hospitals in other countries and my thoughts on Bolivian hospitals prior to my check-in were wary. I was a little nervous when the first nurse I saw was trying to find my vein to insert the intervenes; she couldn’t find it but kept poking around with the needle 4 or 5 times before she decided to use my other arm, haha. But from there on out I had a smooth and, other than the illness, rather pleasant experience! The doctors were good and checked on me frequently, and the nurses were funny and very helpful; on call and efficient. I was in and out of La Clinica in 4 days and I recommend the hospital in the future (although they don’t trust foreign insurance companies so you have to pay cash – so they say).I started work at pro-rural 2 days later.
Coffee…
Ever wonder where your daily cup’o coffee comes from? Who cleans and sorts the perfect beans to make sure there are no bits of jagged metal, plastic, stones, or corn in it? Then who ships it from a land locked country? See photos below of my visit to one of pro-rural’s partners, Eco Coffee.
(The Coffee you see being loaded- all by hand-is heading to Australia, the United States, and Canada)
I have been traveling during the day to visit rural communities and producers to get a better understanding of pro-rural’s work and improve the quality of my own work. The men, women, and children pictured are some those who benefit from the partnerships which pro-rural helps to create. The partnership between pro-rural and Eco Coffee has created jobs for over 30 families who work at the sorting and distribution centre alone. It is my job to help create partnerships like these by looking for possible investors interested in making a difference in rural Bolivia and who want to build and grow their own businesses. I encourage my readers to please donate to my fundraising page and help make a difference (its tax deductible!!!!!):
http://cci.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=2478&mid=9&pid=730387
Alasitas
The Alasitas Fesitival is going on in La Paz right now. It’s a festival that is unique to the city and the world. The people ask Ekkeko, the pre-Christian deity of abundance, money and luck, for almost everything; it works like this, you buy miniature items and offer it to the Ekkeko in hopes that you will get what you ask for. You want a new car? Buy a miniature car and offer it to Ekkeo; Want a degree or a passport to the United States? Buy a mini degree and a mini passport, and offer it to Ekkeo; want to get married? Buy a mini bride and groom (and so on, and so on…). It’s a lively festival; the people are happy and excited, there is lots of music and games, and great food! See pictures below (I am chillin with Ekkeko himself!)
The Strongest
Finally, I went to a football match between the Bolivian champions, The Strongest, and the Brazilian champions, Santos FC (this is the team of Pelé!) The Strongest took the match 2-1! It was great game with amazing chants, great chances, and flares and fireworks being shot off from the crowd. I’m gonna catch another match for sure. Sorry for the long post, all for now. football pictures below:
