As I have been cleaning things out I ran across my Bolivia emails.  This blog wasn't yet in existence but the idea of "Where in the world is Lj Santiago" was born.  Here are the emails over a 3 month period along with a few pictures:

Where in the world is LJ Santiago? 

Date: Friday, April 25, 2008 - Estoy en Bolivia!  I made it!  Took a lot of running to catch flights as all my flights were delayed.  Two hours late to Santa Cruz, I made it but checked luggage didn´t.  Sound like a familiar scenario?  Paola and Becca and Silvia and her husband Ronald had waited for two hours.  We went to a coffee cafe and had cafe con leche and a munchie.  We are at a motel in Santa Cruz till Sunday and hopefully this evening or tomorrow my luggage will catch up.

Reunited Date: Sunday, April 27, 2008 - Reunited and it feels so goooood!  Well, my luggage and I have been reunited and I did a happy dance in the middle of a street in Santa Cruz!  Saturday we went to special assembly day - amazing news, huh?  All I could do not to email you all and tell it - wowser!  Our spiritual lives are changing dramatically.

Today we drove to Samipata where Bill and Mabel live.  Not quite the highway of death but... Gorgeous country. 

We'll be here for at least a few days and then over to Buena Vista.  Hope all is well with everyone!  - philea, lj

Buena Vista Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Hello all!  We came from Samipata yesterday.  A five hour drive in rain all the way.  The road between Samipata and Santa Cruz is subject to slides, washouts and mud.  We did a little four wheeling but didn´t have four wheel drive.

The road from Santa Cruz to Buena Vista is a nice well maintained highway.  It doesn´t feel like I am in a foreign country except for the fact that I don´t understand everything people say to me.  I look odd enough that most are patient and pantomime works well.

Got to my cabin at Quirmori yesterday.  Some of the gang...

  Used the bathroom and when I flushed a dark think came down.  Then started hopping around!  Yes, a frog!  One shriek, and a decision thrust upon me:  Do I try to catch the frog or do I play damsel in distress?  Well, I grabbed a bag and tried to catch the frog.  No success.  He kept disappearing. 

Came home and the frog was on the seat.  Grabbed my bag, just in case he was a poisonous frog and tried again to catch him.  One fast frog!  Third try and I had him trapped.  So... off with his head, joking, I set him free.  When the website for this place talked about being able to get close to nature I didn´t know it would be quite so close! 

Today I´m walking around Buena Vista and trying to get acclimated.  Still in awe of being here. 

Well, I´m seeing this was a longer letter than I thought it would be.  So, I´ll sign off for now!  philea, lj

Me...Again? Date: Friday, May 2, 2008 -

You may receive so many emails that when I get back you´ll think I was never gone!   Unfortunately, I found that to parrots and chickens my toes seem to resemble bread!  Had two parrots peck at my toes, had to curl them up so as not to get nibbled.  A rooster was also giving serious eye at my toes.

To get some one to come to the gate (there are fences at almost all houses)  we yell señora or beuna dia and then we wait, and we wait, and we wait. 

That´s all for now!  Take care!  philea, lj

Greetings! Date: Saturday May 10, 2008 -

Heya!  Well things are moving right along here in Bolivia!  We had a welcome party for 3 sisters that moved into the congregation.  They have a lot of dancing here and one that is very popular is the bailando de pollo!  I am told that Jaimie can demonstrate this very well - just ask her!  There is an Austrian sister staying with the girls and she brought polka music.  There was also Latin dancing.  But by far my favorite is the "bailando de pollo"!

Have moved onto doing presentations and being able to ask questions and some are very kind in putting up with my speech.  Have been sitting in on studies and doing some reading - elicits quite a few giggles as my tongue tries to wrap around the words.  The progression is coming along as now I am dreaming in Spanish, however, I don't know what is being said there either.  It is quite a humbling experience. 

My frog has returned to my bathroom again.  I am now talking to him in Spanglish.  I said "Hay, frog, what are you doing back?" Which translated literally is " There, frog, what are you doing back?"  Si, the Espanol is coming right along.  There are some adjustments that the friends are having to give me as I was telling men that I met "me gusto" instead of "mucho gusto" and that was giving them the impression that I like them, rather than being happy to meet them.

We went to the site to work on the lot, had to clear more garbage, rocks and bricks.  Instead of having barbed wire on the top of a fence, the previous owners had 1/2  broken glass pop bottles and put them on top of the fence to deter any from wanting to go over.

They have a lot of rather large snails roaming around along with some sort of venomous spiders and black frogs.  Much of the work is done by hand and not even the aid of a wheel barrow or garbage bags.  We salvaged the good bricks to reuse for the build possibly.

 

Yesterday I was in the mood for a drive so Becca and Sylvia took me to the river - the long way!

Walking Stick

Buena Vista Coffee!  Yummm!

 OI!  The pot holes that are in the road are more like ditches.  It was a very pretty drive and interesting to see these really nice looking houses in the middle of nowhere and with weeds growing in the center of the road 2 feet tall.  You would think that no one had been down the road for a year or more.  The animals on this road are much healthier than the ones in town.  The prophecy of the skinny cows and fat cows could easily be played out here.

Where I am staying, there is a guide that can take me into the Amboro jungle.  He asked what I wanted to see.  Animals!  Well, he recommended 3 days.  I asked if we came back to Ambori each night.  "No, we camp".  Well, what exactly is camping, I asked.  He smiled knowingly and said it was in a type of hotel, not on the ground. 

Well good as I told him I'm old and sleeping on the ground is just not exciting!  That's when he threw the gauntlet down.  "You are not old, just Americana".  The implication of being a spoiled American woman who would be unable to handle bugs and a rough ride...the dare may be too much to let pass by unanswered!! 

Well, that's the adventure to date!  Hope all is well with you.  philea, lj

Chapter 2 Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008 - Greetings!  Yesterday I said goodbye to Quimori where I had been staying since coming to Buena Vista.  Goodbye to Fred the frog.  I was not able to get a picture of Fred as he decided not to show up to the going away party.  I did get a picture of his friend, don´t know his name.  (I know it was not Fred because Fred doesn´t have freckles).

Then I said hello to La Sama.  My new digs till I
leave.  A very nice 2 bdrm house with lots of windows.  Also at La Sama is Leapold the Lizard.  We met quite early on.  He seems to be as scared of me as I am of him, although he did not scream like I did.  Later in the day I met Lucifer.  That was not a pleasant introduction.  I was trying to get the bathroom light on and felt something hit my leg and caught sight of something zoom by.  Lucifer it turns out is a frog.  He is a young frog and like many species of youth he is very active! 

Now my mode of operation is to keep the bathroom door closed.  When I need to use el baño, I open the door up just enough to get my arm in to turn on the light.  Then I wait till I do not hear any thumping.  I open the door enough to peek in to see if I can spot Lucifer.  When it is safe I can go in to el baño.

I use to think that I was a strong individual able to cope with bugs and many somewhat scary things.  Bolivia is proving to be much stronger than I am.  My nervous system is just about shot because of Fred, Leapold, Lucifer and the various other critters of the insect world that I am coming to know a little more than I care to!

Tomorrow we are going to Cochabamba for a few days.  What will await us?  I am unable to say.  It is a larger community with different type of food.  We´ll see if they have any guinea pig on a stick. 

Well that is my chapter for now.  Hope all is well at home and I am missing you and the lack of bugs, frogs and lizards back home.  philea, lj

Continuing saga of as Lj turns  Date: Friday, May 23, 2008 - Buena Dias amigos. Returned from Chochobamba yesterday.  It is a fairly well developed city and much more civilized than Santa Cruz.  Did not have to share habitation with any frogs or lizards or other bugs.  It is quite a different climate, it is much higher in altitude than Buena Vista and is pretty cold in the mornings and evenings.  The days are very pleasant and it is much drier than Buena Vista.  Many amenities including very good ice cream and some corn drink that is made of a purple corn, is sweet, served hot and tastes like berries not corn.  It includes a couple of cinemas and the one we went to serves either regular pop corn or pop corn made from the purple corn (didn't try that one). 

The scenery from Buena Visat to Coch changes quite drastically.  B.V. is subtropical and Coch is tropical and even has pine trees (odd).  The roads regularly wash out and even though it is only 400 approx kilometers between the two it takes 7-9 hours to get to Coch as the repairs of the roads are done with river rock ( reminiscent of Italy's roads and the streets that apostle Paul walked).  It takes a Little less time coming back as it is down hill and the altitude does not affect the car as much.

On the way we went to a wildlife preserve - monkeys, birds, big cats, bears and other animals.  We

had to remove all items as the monkeys are quite the thieves and very adept at pickpocketing.  I was allowed to take my camera in however this may not have the wisest decision looking back.  The monkeys are very persistent little buggers and when they don't get their way then tend to bite.  I put my camera in my pocket when I saw that the monkey wanted it.  He jumped on me and crawled down my arm and was pulling on my fingers to try to get them out of my pocket so he could have my camera.  When I didn't relinquish my camera he got frustrated and bit me!  BAD MONKEY! We were assured they had all been checked out and shots given.  But for some reason I am really craving bananas, hmmm, do you think that means something?

We also saw various parrots, they were all caged.  We got to see a large tortoise and a bear!  The bigger animals have a volunteer that follows the animal around the reserve.  The volunteer has a rope that is attached to a halter on the animal.  The animal dictates where they go although there are some boundaries as they try to avoid crossing paths with other animals that may not get along so well, hence the ropes.  Although I am thinking there is a logistical problem with this arrangement and the idea that a 150 lb person can hold back a 300 lb excited animal - but may be that-s just me?

The girls promised wonderful food in Coch.  Our first day there we had chicken - fried, with rice, fried banana and soup (yes, you are right, that has been thee main staple here in B.V.)  Hmmm, it did have more flavor.  Other than the drink, and something resembling a beef stew, didn't see - or rather taste - much difference.

My return yesterday was in the evening so I knew that I would have to again face the lizards and the frog.  Didn't see the lizard, yeah!  However, there was a new frog, his name is Steve.  Steve is not a jumper but he did want to continue to hide in the toilet.  This is somewhat more bothersome than Lucifer's jumping especially when you really need to to use the toilet!  This morning I performed my usual routine of opening the bathroom door slightly and turning on the light and peaking in to see what might be in there.  Lucifer was back and I think he brought his twin brother.  I say "I think" because Lucifer is quite the magician ( as most frogs here seem to be) and I can not be sure if he just is really getting around or if there are more than one.

So, after asking around, I have been informed that the frogs come up through the toilet pipes.  So my plan now is to get a plunger and put i in the toilet over hole and in the evening when I need to use it, I will plung those frogs right out of my bathroom!  HAHAHAHAHA! (maniacal laughter).

That's my update for week! love ya! - lj

Driving in Bolivia and the infamous "South Winds" Date: Sunday, June 1, 2008 - Greetings!  The construction is delayed another week, not sure why.  The "South Winds" moved in last Wednesday.  They brought winds, cold and rain and..more frogs!  AACK!! The rain lasted a day and half.  The winds a couple more days and now it's just kinda cold and cloudy (just like home was when I left).  The rain will hamper service, but not the cold or the wind.

It's interesting to note that the road signs and pavement markings are the same as in the states (with the exception of these speed bumps that take the place of police patrol cars and are not always marked.  Invariably some one is yelling "speed bump" as they are not painted or in anyway visible at night and I can't seem to remember where they are despite having traveled the road a dozen times.) 

This is a stop light in the rurals, a red bucket over a light.

Though there are clearly marked no passing zones, they are not clearly obeyed.   There seems to be some form of signals given to other drivers are a series of flashes of the brights, but no one seems to be real clear as to what they mean since most don't drive here.  Two lane highways  regularly become 3 or 4 lane highways with motorcycles and occasionally cars utilizing the shoulder.  There are speed limits posted, 80 kilometers becomes 40 kilometers max and within 500 feet it goes up to 80 kilometers again ????  These too seem to be taken as suggestions and not absolutes.

The girls have made up a son to the tune of "I will survive"that describes the supposed transformation that they think my driving has taken.  One lines says "get out of the way".  Well, you've heard of immersion therapy?  It's name is Bolivia.

Well time to go have lunch prepared by one of four of my personal lunch chefs.  Take Care!

Woo whooo! Date: June 14, 2008 -

WE STARTED CONSTRUCTION!  Hey!  My little endorphins are hopping around like cheerleaders!  Monday was the official start of construction.  A truck arrived for us to unload full of scaffolding, forms, tools and misc stuff.  So unload it we did.

 And as is the case with such things, we unloaded it and set about moving it from one spot to another to get organized.

   Later more supplies in the form of rebar came and some of what we had unloaded was loaded again onto another truck to go to storage till it was needed or to the various accommodations (beds and luggage for the 18 members of the regional building crew).

Base for our tool shed and our new shed...

More stacking and sorting work was done to set up the tool shed

and we cleaned and then dieseled cement forms.  Then we moved tools from one place to another and then into the shed.  There were 7 of the regional crew and another 13 of local friends. 

Our supervisors for dieseling forms

Next day we set about turning rebar into some sort of forms.  There were about 17 on site. 










A brother who has a farm filled with different types of fruit wanted to have me take him there to get fruit for the kitchen.  So off they sent me since I had a car.  We drove and drove and drove (mind you it probably wasn't very many miles but because the roads are dirt and have many pot holes because of rain it took a while).  We had a horse in front of us that didn't want to get out of the way so we followed it for a couple of miles till we caught up with its moma and it got out of the way!

The brother has quite a farm of 15 or more different types of fruit that produce through out the year.  We picked mandarines, star fruit, a type of lime and some other fruit I don't know.  He picked us a couple of coconuts and macheted them up and we had coconut water to refresh us.  Yum!

The kitchen has been serving awesome food.  It's quite a production and they use real plates and utensils and glasses.  Fresh squeezed juices and everything made from scratch.  The girls have been working in the kitchen this week and they've done a great job!

We have fabricated rebar forms, dug ditches, dug out a section that will be a drive and walkway, compacted sand and rock (actually had a power compacter for this, all other jobs are done my Jehovah's fantastic creation - sisters!).  We have moved piles of rocks from one spot to another and back again. (I kidded the brother about if he only had a little faith he could move that pile just by saying to it move, someone else said that he did say to the pile move and we sisters did move it.)

Doing laundry by hand on clothing dirtied by construction is almost as much work as construction!  The days seem to be going quickly and we are all getting to know one another better.  One brother in the Buena Vista group asked if I liked Bolivia.  I said yes but was a bit frustrated with not being able to talk and understand as much as I would like.  He said I needed to stay for a year.  I said I was too old, this group were so young.  Well I walked into that!  He said they needed a mother for the group!  Grrrr!

My name continues to be a problem for the friends.  Constantly they are calling me LG.  One brother, Simon, who is an elder in Buena Vista, so I've known him for 7-8 weeks now and he is still calling me LG.  So all yesterday on site I was correcting him.  LJ, not LG. 

LG!

LJ!

He has to really think about it and pause between letters.  He is buying the car I've been renting and leaves next week for his next assignment.  We gave him a ride home last night and found out that he has picked out a name for the car.  Yup...LG.  :)!  

Well greetings and hugs to all!  philea, lj

Oddities Date: June 24, 2008 - Not much happening on the construction front.  They were finishing up walls yesterday and working on some concrete flooring today.  Have been sick for the last 4 days and trying to get my strength back.

Some oddities that I don't think I mentioned before:

If you need to get more gas in your car, just shake the car so that the gas will settle (that's what the gas station attendants do)

If you are wearing a dress and need a motorcycle taxi, not a problem ride side saddle.  Children, no problem, put them on the handle bars

Too many people for the car, just open the hatch and let the people hang their feet out the back while you drive 60-80 kilometers down the road.  But a 5 passenger vehicle can easily hold 10 with out doing this (just hope you are the

driver and it really is much easier).






No trailer for animals? Just tie them upside down to the top of your taxi.  Also works for beds, furniture and whatever.

No lawn mower, no problem, your neighbor will tie there horse, sheep, cow or whatever up to eat down the grass.

Just a few of the interesting things here!  love, lj

I love Fridays!  Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - Fridays on the construction site are my favorites!  Everyone is tired and goofy!  Even though a great majority of the construction group are off on Fridays, only 4 or 5 work that day, we seem to have a more relaxed atmosphere and take things a little slower and joke around a little more. 

I'm often asked ow learning Spanish is going, and everyone gets a big laugh at my muff ups.  One sister has picked up on the fact that many of the problems involve men!  Yo tengo hombre, instead of hambre; me gusto instead of mucho gusto; I am married for 23 days now (did I forget to tell you all that?).  She brings it up every chance she can.

It really makes me aware, again, of what a wonderful family we belong to as Jehovah's children.  The more we work together the more we get to know each other and the more joking around there is.  We have our regular crew of construction workers, about 18 or so, and then the locals and each week a few additional friends from a "congregation of the week".  Letters went out inviting neighboring congregations to help butt are assigned a specific week to do so.

Yesterday the trusses started going up.  Even though there are only 15 trusses, they are very heavy compared to the ones in the states.  The wood is not pretreated, so we had the job of painting them with anti termite stuff, yuk!

The finishing cement is going up also.  It's quite a process.  It involves slinging cement at the wall.  A task I flunked at learning.  The force of this process causes persons on the other side to get a splattering of the cement even through they are 15 feet away!

So, I have three weeks left and the girls are coming up with a plan to prevent my leaving here.  My heart is already torn.  It is no longer "I'M IN BOLIVIA!", it is "This isn't much different than Montana."

See ya all soon! love, Lj

Last email from Bolivia! Date Saturday, July 19, 2008 - Well in a few days my time is up for my stay in Bolivia!  It is with mixed feelings that I leave.  On the one hand there are things I will be glad to leave behind, like frogs, lizards, ants, bathrooms with only showers of luke warm water, hand washing the laundry.  But there are many things that I will miss, the slower pace of life, saltenas, not having to make a choice of what to order at a restaurant, the car being shaken to get more gas, the Bodie girls, and the peeps.

The girls wanted to have a going away party, which of course I was adamantly opposed to for a variety of reasons.  We decided to have a welcome to Bolivia party for a sister's sister who is here from Austria, but of course all that know the Bodie girls, know that it did not go unmentioned that it was also a going away party despite that vows and oaths that were laid upon their heads.

We danced and ate and laughed until midnight and ended the night with a group photo of which took 15 minutes because of all the cameras that needed to have a picture, or two, or three.

WARNING!  MUSH ALERT! THE FOLLOWING MAY CAUSE A REACTION:

This morning I was overcome once again with what Jehovah has created with this earth wide family.  I thought that the fullness of it had been completely experienced already with all the peeps back home, but...it truly is like a diamond with endless facets to experience.  To be able to belong to a group of people because we serve the same God and share the same beliefs and have the same hopes and yet at the same time not be able to completely understand each other and still have this bond of philea that inspires awe?!  Having a little heart to heart conversation, a warm embrace with words equally as warm (its ok that the words were not understood), an expression of appreciation for coming, an invitation to dance, a game of hide-n-go-seek with the camera, people who want to have a picture of you, a group of people singing to you (who knows what, its in Spanish), ask when you will return...

The girls say that geeks who come to Bolivia are transformed into "all that and a bag of chips".  (This I can attest to as several are actually impressed by my so called dancing and laugh at my attempt at humor.)

There is a conclusion that I have come to though.  It is that, in the world's eyes, all of Jehovah's people are geeks.  But when we come into this wonderful creation, this universal family, we all become "all that and a bag of chips".

See ya soon! (and yes I did call you all geeks)  Philea, lj