Wednesday 10 August 2011

Back in La Llajta






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

Sunday 7 August 2011

Wowzers


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!!










Thursday 28 January 2010

2009 at a glance

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!!!