Barbs' Random Ramblings

Back in La Llajta

2011-08-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

My heart fluttered and a huge smile spread across my face as the pilot announced our descent into Cochabamba. The view was spectacular as we flew over the Andes into the valley, I could see the Cristo with His arms spread open, welcoming me home once more. There is an incredible sense of familiarity here, and no matter how long I have been away, it always feels as though I have never left. As I wandered around in the airport I found it hard to believe that previous morning I had woken up in North Carolina, where I had spent a wonderful 2 months visiting amazing friends, re-establishing old friendships and making new ones. I’ll save writing about that trip for another blog!

As we drove from the airport through the dusty streets back to our apartment familiar sights and smells filled my senses. There were children washing windows at the intersections, 4 or 5 people on one motorbike, the mountains with their dusting of snow, the only difference was that more apartment buildings have gone up. I sat in the taxi with Kimber, the warm breeze flowing through the open window, blowing away the memories of the boredom and aches endured in the 30 hours of traveling from the States.

I got home, hiked the stairs to our top floor apartment and realised that my heart was pounding out off my chest. I had forgotten the how much the altitude affected me, but it was worth it. The view from my apartment was every bit as incredible as I remembered it, sweeping vistas of the entire city of Cochabamba and a panoramic view of the mountain range, the ridges emphasised by the shadowing from the setting sun. Despite my lack of sleep induced dazed state, I was elated to be back. I unpacked, and re-packed, ready for my early departure to Mizque the following morning.

We headed over to the Corazon del Pastor soon after the sun rose, and I was welcomed with shouts of ‘TIA BARBARA’ ringing out from all the girls that I hadn’t seen in so long. It was so wonderful to see them again! There was also an amazing team from Canada there, including Jeanette, a wonderful volunteer at Ninos con Valor that we worked with before. After a couple of hours of packing and re-packing the bus, the team and volunteers began the 4 and a half hour trip to Mizque. The scenery was spectacular; it feels as though you are driving through a topographical map. There were various points in the journey when I was terrified. The bus teetered on the edge of many a sheer drop into deep ravines. Looking out of the bus window there was about 6 inches from the wheel to the edge, and it petrified me, yet the photographer in me wanted to push through the fear and lean out and take pictures! I ignored my rising heart beat and speeding breath and was able to take some fabulous snaps. I was very thankful when we finally arrived at our destination. Lack of sleep was catching up with me, so I was grateful for the free afternoon to take a rest. That evening was spent having so much fun with the team playing a Bolivian dice game that I can only compare to Yatzee, after doing so, I was very excited to fall into bed.

I was awoken by a cacophony of bells at dawn; there was neither rhyme nor reason to the beat, just someone randomly striking the different notes. After breakfast we headed over to get everything organised for the trip to Pantipampa and it was then was we saw our mode of transport - in all its dusty glory stood a large dump truck. We loaded it up with blankets and ourselves, 14 volunteers, ready for the imminent adventure. The view from the truck was astounding, the drops even more terrifying, needless to say I was thankful when I saw Pantipampa come into view. The day was spent painting the newly refurbished classrooms with items purchased by Orkney Helping Hands, playing with the children, eating delicious charque (much like jerky) and being chased around by men with buckets of chicha, which is a local fermented corn drink. Being so far away from the reality that is the western world was very much refreshing. It forces you think about what you have, and what is important in your life. The people of Pantipampa are some of the most welcoming, humble people I have encountered in all my travels, and I look forward to returning to visit them again, soon.

The ride back from the village was even more of an undertaking, with the truck being filled to overflowing with not only the 14 volunteers, but half of the village returning to their homes. It was amazing to see how far these people (most with young children) had walked to join in the Pantipampa celebrations. As dusk began to fall, the stars began to appear, and by the time we were approaching Mizque the black sky was covered in a blanket of stars. I was especially excited to see the Southern Cross for the first time, despite having lived in the Southern Hemisphere for more than 5 years!

The following morning was spent doing a solar oven presentation in Mizque. Nine solar ovens were gifted to Daycares within the municipality, and it was wonderful to see the interest in how they worked. People continually passed by to ask questions, and to see how well things had been cooked. The response was very encouraging. After everything had been cleared up, we began the journey home to Cochabamba back along the winding, switch-back filled road. It was delightful to arrive home once again, to be in my own bed and to get some much needed rest after a very eventful few days!

I am so thankful to be able to be back here in Bolivia again. Cochabamba and its people always have, and always will have a very special place in my heart.

Here are a few pictures of my trip so far.

Beautiful smiles :)

Gorgeous children in Pantipampa

Mother and child

Girls having fun with a parachute! I love these smiles!

Mizque town centre

Wowzers

2011-08-07T12:16:00.001-07:00

Yeah... I know that I wrote that I was going to be better at blogging, but here I sit a year and a half later and not a blog in sight. The plan is to get that sorted out, fill in the blanks from the past while, but it is going to take some time to get it done! Looks like February 2010 - May 2011 is going to be a photo blog, very similar to 2009's blog. It's a bit of a cop out, but it would take the best part of a year to write about everything that happened the past year and a half, but I will give a brief summery. I did indeed head home to Orkney in January to recuperate from whatever was causing my dizzy spells, I will just say that now I am probably at about 80% of full health, which is 75% better than I felt at my worst, so I am happy with how things are going there. I was able to spend large amounts of time with my family, and enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounded me. I also had a wonderful trip back to Cochabamba with my parents and sister. It's great having them understand my love of the place that I am actually back living in for the moment. My sister loved it so much that she is coming out to stay for 3 months later this year!

Anyhoo, here's a bunch of photos of what went down the past year and a half....

March '10 - I got to see my nephew for the first time in a year.

May'10 - Hanging out on my favourite pier in the world.

May'10 - Being made laugh so hard by Bill Bailey that I couldn't talk for 3 days.

June'10 - At the beach with Pete and Leon

July'10 - My beautiful nieces, tongue out and nose picking. Love this pic!

July'10 - Gorgeous niece :)

Aug'10 - such a big boy now!

Aug'10 - My little snuggle bug.

Aug'10 - Stromness looking as beautiful as ever.

Sep'10 - Oct'10 - Bolivia trip

Bolivia Trip Cont. - La Paz

Bolivia Cont. -Ma and Pa in Copacabana

Bolivia Trip - Best t-shirt ever!

Bolivia Trip - View from the Lake Titicaca

OHH Pantipampa Trip

Beautiful girls of Pantipampa

Mizque'10 - Nope, this is NOT Honey Meade... this is basically lighter fluid!

Nov'10 - Graveyard sunset

Dec'10 - being chased by a bull! Scary stuff!

Dec'10 - Snowy scenes.

Dec'10 - Newton Faulkner Concert

Dec'10 - Merry Christmas!

Christmas '10 - Leon running in for his presents. SO CUTE!

Jan'11 - Winter sunset

Feb'11 - Leon looking gorgeous, as per usual!

Feb'11 - Visiting James and the kids.

March'11 - Spring snow.

March'11 - Mumford and Sons concert in StMagnus Cathedral. Best concert ever.

March'11 - Concert venue. Just beautiful!

April'11- Standing Stones view.

April'11 - Birsay

April'11 - Jon Fratelli Concert

May'11 - More and more gorgeous every day!

May'11 - Daddy and his wee boy.

May'11 - Sibling reunion. First time in 6 years that we were all together :)

May'11 - Susan's visit to Orkney

So that is a VERY short version of the past year and a half. I could have added a million other pics, but that would be a few too many!! Within the next few days I am going to write about my trip to the US and then about my first week back in Bolivia. So much to write about!!

2009 at a glance

2010-01-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

I figure that since I was so useless at writing last year that I would give a wee overview in photos of the best parts of 2009, kind of giving me a clean slate before being more up to date with the blogging this year. I guess it is a New Year's resolution of mine. Heehee! I never realised that so many of my night's out involved dressing up!!

Hanging out with mum and dad on Stonehaven beach for the first time in a long time.

Seeing mum and dad so happy - this photo made my day!

Being crazy with the family. All nuts, one of the reasons I love them all so much!

Meeting my nephew for the first time was definitely the best part of last year for me. Wee Leon Knight, here at 4 months.

Wee man, all teddy-fied!

I couldnt believe how big my nieces had gotten in the time that I was away. The not so wee Freya.

Brenna and Rianna close to their 2nd birthdays.

I was so grateful to be able to hang out with old school friends, who I am lucky to still be in touch with, Charlotte, Sarah and Arlene.

Orkney is just so beautiful in the snow!

Pete's 21st birthday party - zombie style... Debs and Al getting into the spirit of things! Wee Leon along for the ride.

Me and Pete looking particularly terrifying. It was such a fun night!

Wow, we are so elegant here! Kimber and me on St. Paddy's day in NaCunna.

Me and my dear friend Susan, my roommate in Guatemala, spending an awesome couple of weeks in NC.

My very first rodeo. Hopefully it wont be the last...

Meeting my newest little niece, Nely's beautiful daughter

Me hanging out with Nely's son... he's so cute!

For my 28th birthday we had a 1920s party which was a LOT of fun! Everyone made a great effort, getting really into it. Happy Days....

Kimber, Shaun, Nic and me. Doing it up, 20s style.

Halloween 09, Amy, me and Nic

Kelley and Kimber looking gorgeous

Amy's 30th - 80s style

Me and K

Kimber, me, Nic and Amy

Brianna, me and Amy
Bri has some of the most exciting stories I have ever heard!

Kelley, me, Kimber and Jeanette - some of the most awesome people ever.

Me and some of the girls - love them!!!

Oh so long...

2010-01-14T06:38:00.000-08:00

Yeah, so I am not very good at writing these. Pretty terrible at keeping up to date actually. So much has happened since the last time I wrote. I have come to the decision that I am going home to Scotland. The last 4 months or so have proven very difficult for me as I have been quite ill. I have hideous spinning seizures, where the world around me starts to spin which makes me feel like I am intensely seasick. Not fun at all. I have been for an MRI (which thank God came up clear) and an EEG which showed my seizures. I have had to stop working due to my condition, as the smallest exersion overheats me and I feel like I am on the verge of having another attack. I am going to visit North Carolina for a couple of weeks and then I will head home to Scotland to get myself completely better, before traveling back with my mum, dad and sister to Bolivia for a 7 week vacation. I will then return to Scotland with them until I figure out what the next step in my life involves, whether it be back to Bolivia or elsewhere.

Right now I have so many emotions swirling around in this head of mine that I feel like I am going to explode. There is excitement at the thought of seeing family and dear friends again, of being in Scotland for the first summer in about 4 years, and the hope of feeling better again. Yet at the same time there is the utter sadness at leaving people behind here. People that I have come to call my family, people who have shaped me and helped me grow over the last 4 and a half years. I dont know what I am going to do without them. I am so thankful for the internet, for video calls so I can feel like I am there wth them. This is the hard part of having people you love in so many places. You are always missing someone, no matter where you are. I am going to miss my little church group more than anything. This group has been such a support system for me and I think for the other members too.

I know that my time here in Bolivia has truly changed me. I am not who I was when I came here, I think for the better. I worry as to how things are going to be when I get back to Scotland, thinking about the support system of like-minded people I have here in Bolivia and wondering as to whether I will have the same in Orkney. One thing I do know is that the next two years of my life are going shape me once again, showing me the course that my life is going to take. A thought that is both exciting and overwhelming.

Well, that is my ramble for the moment. I shall try not to leave it so long before my next one.
Hope that you are all well and that this New Year brings all kinds of awesomeness into your lives.

Barbs

When did this become normal?

2009-10-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was writing a blog for NcV and it really made me think. I was talking about a walk I took home from work the other day, so I will tell you a similiar story from the night before. In Cochabamba there was a large meeting of Presidents and Prime Ministers from 17 different Latin American and Caribbean countries, therefore there was heavy security all around the Recoleta (uptown Cochabamba). It was around seven on Thursday evening and I was walking to the laundrette which is around the corner from the hotel that everyone was staying. Right outside there was a row of 4 pick-ups each with around 10 policemen all with guns, teargas launchers, the full riot gear. I collected my laundry in a big bag which I slung over my shoulder and waded through all the military and police to get home. There must have been around 200 of them, and funnily enough no-one ever asked to check my bag... I could have had anything in there!

The next afternoon I had to walk through a barricade of riot police to get home and it started me thinking. When did this become normal? I thought of myself 10 years ago walking around seeing everyone with weapons and how much that would have freaked me out. I think it all started in Guatemala when every security guard had a weapon, be it outside a bank or out side the local Burger King. Here, with there being so many protests etc there are so many more people with guns. I cant remember how many times I have been around when the riot police have shot gas cannisters in the area (interesting fact, burning tyres lessen the effects of tear gas!). It has become normal. I remember when I was back in the UK, sitting in heathrow airport with my dad when 2 policemen with tiny wee guns went running through the area. My dad was all excited, wondering what was going on and I noticed that I had kinda blanked on it. I saw that it happened, it just didnt register that it was abnormal. I guess that since they even have riot police at the football matches here, a few policemen with guns doesnt faze me at all!

These events got me to thinking about other things. What else has become "normal"? It is so easy to be numbed to things you see. If you watch the news you hear about suicide bombers, wars, famines, and all manner of terrible things, but as we see if so often how much of it do we actually take in? Honestly, I find myself saddened, but quickly forgetful, changing the channel to something else. And how about here in Cochabamba? Seeing yet another family begging for money, another unkempt street child begging for some spare change, another baby being found in a dumpster? I hope and pray that these things will NEVER become normal to me. That I would never lose compassion, nor fail to be shocked by the poverty and desperation that I see around me.

Difficult days

2009-07-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

The past couple of days have really been such an emotional rollercoaster ride. Our little baby Guillermo* has been in need of heart surgery for the longest time and yesterday he finally got it. I had been managing to keep my cool, staying strong in the days up to and during the operation, but as I was waiting for news I received a phone call that just broke my heart. A friend of mine called to tell me that during a drunken brawl one of the street boys that I have known for quite some time now was stabbed in the heart and passed away. I think that hearing this really made me realize the fragility of life. I was sad for the tragic loss of a life of a young man (he was around16 years), the thought of what could have been in his life, and worried about the outcome of Guillermo’s surgery. I was so grateful for the phone call saying that it was a success, but that the next 24 hours would be critical. He is such an amazing baby, such a fighter. He against all the odds survived the surgery, we were hopeful.

This morning I got yet another phone call from Kimberly, my roommate saying that Guillermo’s was having problems with his lungs, more specifically the artery that connects the lung to the heart. It hasn’t expanded as it should have and isn’t allowing enough blood to get to the lungs. If it doesn’t expand enough they are going to have to operate again. Sadly that Is not the most worrying thing. Kimberly returned to our house to tell me that Guillermo’s kidneys have failed and he is on dialysis. They are watching to see if it works, but if it doesn’t they are going to have to do an emergency transplant. I just don’t know how much more one little body can take….

It is interesting though how the brain copes in times of hardship. I tend to go on auto-pilot, and clean like crazy. I don’t really like to give myself time to really see what is going on, but now that my house is clean I find myself having to come to terms with all that is happening around me and to be perfectly honest, I don’t like it.

NOTE -----We have just been told that the dialysis is helping, although only minimally. There is a chance that the kidneys will function again, but he is by no means out of the woods yet.

Why travel?

2009-06-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

I can pin point the beginnings of my lust for travel to one specific moment in time. I was 17 years old in the first term of my last year at school, it was the October break and my family and I were in Tunisia on vacation. I had only ever previously visited Spain, and taken a day trip to Morrocco but my appetite for new cultures had already been whetted. My life plan had involved finishing my last year of school, and heading off to university to do International Studies with French and Spanish and then seeing where life took me after that, but Tunisia had other plans for me. We took a tour of El Djem, a 3rd century amphitheatre, which seated 35,000 spectators in its day. It was an incredible and yet terrifying experience wadering around in the underground chambers. We also visited Matmata, a troglodyte villiage which were made famous by the filming of Star Wars there. One of the most beautiful things I have seen is the sun rising over Chott-el-Jerid, the salt flats. Explosions of unending colour. Definitely worth getting up at 3.30am for the bus trip to see it! It's so interesting even for me to be writing about this, for I had forgotten exactly how incredible the trip was! There was one moment that I was a little fearful for our safety (asides from the fact that my dad was offered 20 camels for me by a very creepy guy!) and that was when we were on the tour bus driving along the Algerian border, not a good idea when you have a massive sign alongside the bus that says "TUNISIAN TOURIST BUS", hardly very inconspicuous! Our bus, with darkened windows was pelleted by stones, bottles and a couple of broken bricks. It was a little nerve-wracking. On our last evening of the tour, after driving for what seemed like forever, we reached the Sahara, mounted our camels and away we went. I have never felt such peace in my life, the only sound was the feet of the camels in the sand and our own hearts beating. The sun was setting and the stars we beginning to shine in the deep blue sky and in the distance I could hear the hauntingly beautiful sound of the call to prayer. At that very moment I had a realisation. I wasn't going to return to school when i got back from this specific trip, and I knew that I needed to see more of the world, and not just as a tourist, but I wanted to LIVE it. And live it I did. I arrived back to Scotland, told my teachers and friends that I was leaving school to travel for a year before going on to unversity. Well... it has been 11 years since i said that, and I still havent gone back to school! But then that is another story for another time...

Hmm....

2009-06-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my very first blogging experience. I've been meaning to get around to doing this for quite some while now, but just never done it. I guess it's about time. There is most likely not to be too much rhyme nor reason to what i write. It may be on work, life thoughts, things I have been up to. As the title says, Random Ramblings. Hope you enjoy :o)