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Published: August 16th 2010
Wierd costumes
haha who comes up with this..Wow...what happened to my week? Just got back from the park up the street and was reading Zen and
the art of motorcycle maintenance. Left for the park at about 5pm and since Ive been hung over all day
sleeping and reading various books I decided to get some sun before she went down. As I approached the park there is a fairly large firing envoloping a the nearest valley of tunari smoke covering a small part of cochabamba as little seem to care. There greeting my entrace to the park is a little girl in red with her father learning how to ride a bike. Looking at the father then looking at the little girl I noticed for a split second the look of frustration on her face as tear marks were on her cheek. Been there done that learning to ride a bike is difficult I think I cried too cant remember. I recall the last time I cried was probably day before I left for this trip. Havent cried at all since Ive been here maybe Im dead inside or momentarily numb. nahh...I still feel just very little for my old life and dont look foward to going
Cmon ladies
Whats on your head? back really and noting that my trip is 1/5th over if not more makes me a little sad. Well was currently watching the fire from my window with intense electronic beats from the song Im the supervisor by an all time favorite group infected mushroom and danielle walked in my room and scared the living shit out of me because I had my head phones on...damn...Well I sat down at the park with my book observing the fire and a Bolivian couple or best friends sat across from me and read I assume texts out of their phone. Kind of bothers me when its just me and a couple in a scene but I was here to read and was here first so it was a fact that I wasnt moving first. If they wanted to snuggle or what not too bad if I wanted to I could watch but they seemed somewhat distant and not wanting to spectate anyway I kept reading. I soon noticed 3 girls who I would say were sisters with their mom their dog and a bike. They were laughing having what seemed like the vast amounts of Fun that I had yesterday but in
Silly hat
haha they must be quechua or something a different way. They were probably few years younger than me and were chasing their dog expressing feelings that I get when I play videogames or am extremely drunk. Their dog approached me and when a girl rode by on the bike it chased after her cmon now...im trying to read I thought but rather enjoyed the moments even though I wasnt partaking other than being an object in the scene. As the sun was diminishing behind the peak
of Tunari that I climbed I sat and watched the rays dissapear behind the mountain peak. Just as it went down still semi daylight the father brought her daughter who as I was observing improving up to the incline of the hill and she rode flawlessly by herself for a good 30yards or so. what a sight at first seeing someone crying with frustration and as night fall came seeing the same person celebrating with victory as she had learned how to ride a bike..almost brought a tear to my eye but it didnt. The fire has spread covering parts of the hills that were once nice large green trees. Dinner for me comes in about 5-10min so I wonder if
Cmon BRo
Whats on your head??? my writing will change after I eat something. I also recall right before heading back to my house the fire picking up from a small orange-redish line to what appeared to be intense flames brewing. A few people passed me while I was reading and one man just stood up a ways from where I was sitting and watched the flames for a good 5min in silence. I know the feeling man and as I thought that he turned around and muttered something to me but was at quite a distance so I couldnt hear. He approached me and we literally conversed the best we could and probably literally had no idea what the other was saying he might as well have spoke quechua to me. Well after looking at the fire together and noticing another fire break out closer in the city he departed and the couple across from me did as well. I thought this was probably an opportune moment to leave so left following the old man I spoke to and kept looking back glancing at the various layers of the fire. Also I should note before I forget and make my way downstairs for some grub
Um...
KEEGAN and I was his last day in Bolivia live on my friend I will visit in ya in BOSTON that the other day comming home I knew no one was at my house and as I opened the front gate a guy was talking to me who seemed to have bee waiting for me. He kept calling me senor and being very polite but I didnt know or have a clue what he wanted and didnt want
him to rush me as I was the barrier to the valuables to the house. He said he wanted to come inside for
a second or something but I wasnt going to let him. I offered him some bolivianos but nothing. I took a look to my right and saw a soccer ball. OHH!! now it makes sense he only wanted the ball he hit over my wall and when I gave it back he was grateful like no other. So just took a shower and ate some mini pizzas Daniellea prepared for me also with some huevo conflado which is a boiled egg in water which was so delicious that I had daniellea make me another. Interesting cooking concept here too. The flames have ceased but are still burning wildlife and Im trying to gather my thoughts about the past 5
As you can see..
No one will understand...I have over like 300pics so could only post my favorites but still wish others had a clue... days or so. I know for a fact though that for the past 4 days I have been consumed a various large amount of alcoholic beverages and pretty much felt it everyday I woke up. Well Wedsday John and I went out that night for some SOLO MIA which is probably the best Pizza around and actually pregamed with a bottle of some carribean Rum and played starcraft after class. I take it we got fairly drunk at johns house before hitting the pizza shop and when We got there ordered some mug Taquina. Taquina is the local beer of Cochabamba and actually has a picture of Tunari on it which is some sort of odd satisfaction I have ever time I look at a bottle. From what I recall we downed a good amount of alcohol and somewhere after hitting the Recoletta which is like bars downtown and getting kicked out of a bar because I had shorts on and traveling across some illuminated bridge pretty drunk into the CINECENTER and talking with some strangers we taxid our way to safety. The next day (THursday) school was pretty tough considering that we barely remember what happened the night previous and that day Ken had told me he broke up
with his girlfriend. on thursdays we play volleyball so after class which this week and the next begins at
1140am John and I got into some starcraft at the school along with my friend who plays with us online Drew who lives in Texas. Definatelly visiting him if I make it out of Bolivia I got 3 friends currently who I
know will make my stay worth while in TEXAS. WE played with volleyball without John because he doesnt like sports and one of my curent teachers whos about 29yr old KARLA loves the sport and invited her sister. Cool I love playing with the students because the teams are always different and we really never have any idea whats going to happen. AFter intense volleyball, they think Im some sort of star with my awesome serve thats literally pure luck. I claimed that we shouldnt waste the night and KEn needs some drinking to do to get a girl off his mind so KEvin was in and so was Caroline. Well meeting up at the institution after dinner we all planned to go to some bar our office dude JOSE LUISE new of that played loud music and dancing and what not and we all agreed we were down. We traveled via taxi to God only knows and looking down some street saw a large gathering of cars and what looked like a private event that I wouldnt have even wanted to investigate if I wasnt with Jose LUISE. Well we sat down and kevin and I needed to hit an ATm because we had no cash so the Taxi driver was on his way. We were literally the only white americans and good thing we were with a fairly large group but jose luis seemed to know a great amount of people so we were welcomed. We got a bottle of Ron abuelo and 2 liters of Taquina and were all planning to drink ourselves into oblivion. Soon Ariselle and Cubelle joined us Kens sisters and Danielle my sister were all drinking the night away. We were in the very front and the band was using a pa system blasting music through 2 speakers one literally right next to my head. I couldnt hear anything and just enjoyed the surroundings of this special once in a lifetime place, I hoped that some day I would return. Well after the first band played Jose Luis tried again to get me to go up there and play some guitar but I refused to play any american songs in front of all bolivians it would have ended up horribly. Jose luis took the stage and said in spanish "IM not very good at guitar or singing but I would like to play some songs" He literally blew people away and played for a good 2 hours. WE played cacho which is becomming a favorite dice game of mine. After jose came back to the table and we had mad respect from everyone around and finished the bottle and hit another bar at a local spot jose knew of.
It was a little more intense and more of an indoor with various lights uncomparable to the other one that
was more an outside local place. Well we had some more drinks and the night was lost...Jose luis also played for a good hour or so at this bar as well dude better teach me how to play some bolivian songs so I can go up there with him and play what a day it will be. Well next day rising a little hung over Ate like 2 eggs with cheese and bread and drank some coke and coffee that morning and made my way to school. NO real problems with hang overs or the such because I am able to get a large amount of sleep and even do some reading on my laptop before classes. My mom here even makes me lunches which is 2min microwave away from delicious hamburgers to spaghetti and meatballs. Well today (Friday) after classes we were going to celebrate Keegans leaving by bowling some at the nearest bowling alley and were to meet up at the front gate at 7pm. Getting out of class at around 330ish John and I played starcraft and he was wondering or not if he wanted to partake in bowling considering he doesnt like any sports or maybe he doesnt like loosing. That could be it. (My god listening to people scratch vinyl on itunes makes me want to mix...) WEll john didnt want to go bowling with us or go to dinner and I really think he should have because not going to lie it was a good friday. There was Jeff,Caroline KEN, KEEGAN, Brenedatte, and Larry and we went to this place called Tuffe Turi or soemthing cant remember. It was a steakhouse meat place and supposedly had some good wines. We sat down and noticing my expensive surroundings and noticing a meat spinning fire oven with various parts of animals rotating wondered what I was supposed to order. Well first Ken and I decided we were going to split a bottle of wine. We were
going to make a decision when I asked JEFF who was the older priest to order us a Wine that wasnt 300 bolivianos and that was good and we got a 70boliviano bottle of caberna. Delicious something havent tasted before probably because I dont drink wine I assume. THe first thing we did was hit the salad bar and apparently it was all you can eat salad and meat. Well getting various amounts of french fries, guacamole, and some salad the first meat made its appearance. I agreed, then agreed to the next , and the next. Literally must have consumed like 30 different slabs of meat from chicken to filet mignot to chicken hearts.(maybe not 30). All for 60 bolivianos Hell yes! After eating vast amount of everything and labeling myself a carnivore I had told others that this was probably going to effect my bowling. Keegan and I were the only ones daring to eat the chicken hearts and I ate 2 and so did he and I had one left on my plate. We decided to share it ha not sure what that means but I cut it in half and ate half as he did. Weird odd moment. Well feeling quite tipsee from the bottle I shared with Ken it was clear that he felt the same. We took a taxi and arriving later than the other taxi made our way into the bowling alley and everyone was complementing everyone elses shoes. Carolines were orange and neon green and was taking pictures of them and what not. Well I drank A taquina, A pacena , and another different bottle of pacena and bowled terribly. I lost to caroline I had 66 and she had 67 which put me in last place cant believe it very frustrating. Second game I beat her and total cost of bowling alley was like 30 bolivianos for the 2 games each person. On the tenth frame of the second game I clearly wasnt going to break a hundred and drunk as I was didnt want caroline to beat me so hit the SKip bowler button but she bowled anyway messing up ginas score. Gina and sean were there too. I think somewhere here Brenedatte
and Keegan connected GO KEEGAN! You GOT 2 DAYS! I cheered for him in my head. what a character that man is. Well going home that night had the most confusing night of thirst and tiredness and insomnia. Talking to Jeff the next day he told me of some jamaican saying something like "eat late dream different" or something cant recall exactly and he told me had some trouble sleeping. "I think Im still full of meat!' haha we laughed. Wonder what John did for his night couldnt have been as much fun as we all had wish he went but he didnt want to. Saturday yesterday was a great day probably one of the highlights of my trip. We all met at the school and going into my locker where my backpack was gathered my lunch and put my camera inside and prepared for the Fiesta DE URCUPINA. It is a festival about the virgen de URCUPINA a 3day event and apparently tonight at 2am they walk from Cochabamba to Quicollo where the festival is held. Walking back to the front gate A girl passed me I had not met but first look at her I wanted to. Quite a pretty figure. Well others were waiting on the bus and I took a seat near the back then walked up and sat shotgun. John came shortly and Ken and everyone were discussing something with this new girl. I guess coming to discussing with her later she was jumped on her way to the school. WOW..thats intense I thought apparently she was walking to the institution and some car came up behind her and grabbed her bag which broke the strap and caused her to fall to the floor. Thats pretty crazy and caused us about a 20min delay because we all had to go to her house and she had to
tell her host mom that someone had the keys and an address so they needed to change the locks. Learning later she didnt loose anything really of value which is a positive to the negative of being jumped. Having no idea where we were we picked up brooke and Tom at a street corner and then drove deeper into Quicollo. Getting off God knows where there was music in the distance and huge amounts of people everywhere. I was still a little hungoverish and wondered how my endurance through the day would be. The festival was amazing probably coolest parade Ive ever come to witness with the most intense outfits and costumes from pretty marvals to masks of death intrigued me for hours. John on the other hand didnt seem like he was enjoying it as much as the rest of us. We drank some beers with KEVIN in the back of the store where our seats were because the lady across the street where we ate some peanut soup said she wasnt allowed to sell us beer. EVen some of the paraders were drinking which was quite comical. Also must note never seen so many girls in skirts pretty amusing after
consumption of beer and Keegan and I got a picture with some who seemed to like us momentarily or just liked having people take pictures with them or something. I had to borrow a ball cap From Kevin because I didnt have one. It was a solid black cap with a "B" on it and was quite small on my dome but I still want to buy it off of Kevin considering he has another one with a B on it. Kevins from boston but doesnt have much of an accent. Lots of people here think I talk like someone from california which is funny to me but probably funnier to them when I say stuff like "THAT WAS BOMB!" "SICK!". WEll the festival went on and on symbols crashing in my ear, drums beating in my heart, and confetti flying everywhere I dont think it ever really stopped. occasionally they would take a break and all drink water and take pics with tourists and people were even comming up to our group and interviewing them. Craziness was quite a sight to see. Later I noticed John with his head in his lap trying to sleep? haha how in the world was he going to survive KENS bday party that night I wondered. At 4pm the group left and caroline didnt want to hear John complaining anymore about it being a quarter past 4 we needed to leave at 4 and what not and stayed later with ME, KEEGAN, KEVIN, Brenedatte, and 2 of the spaniards that we went to tunari with. Frogot to mention them. I thought they were a couple but they werent they must be best friends or something... I Know the feeling. Well after the early goers had left we stayed longer and enjoyed the sights then departed without Keegan and Brenedatte because they had
walked off? Didnt say much when they left so I assume they were all right. The group didnt question it really at all but I kind of wondered to myself..Keegan did call and we just told him to take a taxi and that it
was safe and not very expensive. I sat shotgun again and our taxi driver had one hand in a bag of coca leaves which was interesting to me as I wondered about his driving skills on coca. I was pretty sure that When I went home no one was going to be there so conversed with everyone on what the plan was and when we got to the institute all headed separate ways and I was to meet up with Caroline and KEVIN at a bench by the school by the soccer courts at 730. Ken gave me a bunch of boliviano coins considering I only had a 2 100 dollar bills. Well getting home taking a shower and eating some pizza, chicken, and rice which probably saved my life come to think of it, made my way early to the institute. John texted me asking where I was and I literally couldnt text anyone for like 15min for some reason no idea tried several different people. I tried to tell john to meet me at the bench at 730 but at like 725 he texted me and I texted back that I was already there and told him to hurry up. As it worked itself out John made it at like 730ish and still Kevin and Caroline were no where to be found. At around 745 caroline made an appearance telling us she was made at KEvin and had no idea where he was. Waiting another 5 min we left and made our way the 3 of us to KENS party. WE knocked on the door and Kens grandma opened it up for us. Ken wasnt there and no one really was around but the 2 boys Fabio and the other one. One challanged me to a game of JENGA and I won of course with my steady hands. Cubelli made an entrance
with kevin and Had a bottle of Bacardi ORU (GOLD) and some taquinas. She prepared some drinks and snacks potato chips for us to consume and got the dice. Next Ken made an appearance and he had on a shirt that I want really bad with a giant coca leaf on it with writing "Las Ojas de Coca No es DRoga" hahah. So EPIC! well next the Girl amy whos from England made her appearance the one who got robbed early that day and then Jose Luis the other one not from my school arrived with some girls and friends. After talking to the english woman some, john was becomming abnoxious. Really drunk he seemed and Caroline and Him seemed to be having some sort of like silent war. I say silent but really they argued alot and only I can really see the tension rising in both of them. Keegan came with Brenedatte and many others were there. Daniellea and Luis were there and we all played some drinking dice game where someone had to drink every time there was an odd number. Drinks drinks and more drinks everything was moving now at unusual speeds for me but I wouldnt say I was drunk yet more of a mild buzz. A beautiful woman sat across from me now looking into her eyes was pretty intense not going to lie. NExt to her was some dude and next to him sitting nearest to me was another bolivian woman.
During this past week or so I have grown an intense beard not sure why just dont feel like shaving it and in a way wondered what they thought since bolivians dont have facial hair really. The fire in the mountains looking out now has almost completely diminished and its about 1130pm 30 past my 8hrs of sleep. Zeppelins keeping me going. I feel like I conversed fairly well and The one woman on my right next to me who was really interested in me and was complementing me on my physical features which was a new one for me ha. Really drunk I excused myself for another drink and brought the dude a drink. Cant remember names for shit especially in this state. Jose Luis sat down and asked me what was up and I said nothing just practicing spanish. HE is Japanese and Luis's cousin and parties alot and said if I can speak spanish well he will take me to more parties knowing that I wasnt nearly as drunk as I wanted or should be. Well conversing more with the 2 woman and guy the one nearest to me was named Maria I think? not a fact. haha this is some west side story shit I thought and conversed some more. The one beautiful woman taught me how to say darling/sweetie or somehting in spanish and if I remember correctly its "Amorcilla? AMorcita? DAMIT! forgot..John was off doing other business with others and Maria made me dance ..great...Not much of a dancer not going to lie but had fun thank you liquid courage! Maria had amazing eyes but liked everything about me more. Shes like I like your eyes...your teeth/smile...your mole? wtf? who says that. O well I feel good and Im drunk so Ill let it slide..Dancing and drinking and dancing more they left with Jose Luis and I didnt realize till they were gone that I forgot to get Marias number BUST!..I NEED TO Practice spanish! she kissed me on both cheeks when we parted unlike the others which was one kiss haha now IM counting? and said 'ME GUSTA' and I didnt know how to respond really and I think they just over use the word ME GUSTA which means to like. Dont think I said anything now thinking about it was too drunk to comprehend what was going on. Just the culture and way they greet one another and such still blows me away how vague and strange it is for someone whos from america. I recall The two girls laughing at my california ID and from what I couldnt believe I was 21. They for sure thought I was 25 or something which is funny. I LOVE THE BEARD!/Mexican Mane. I recall knowing Maria was 23 and that was probably the extent of my recollection probably wasnt even 23 now that I think of it and probably isnt named Maria. After they left I noticed in the corner of my eye 2 people helping John into the Kitchen haha What! I have to check this out I thought. He was sitting alone with Ariselle in the kitchen now and Looked so Messed up. "IM FUKD UP MAN..." he said slurring his speech all the way. I told him nahh your good just dont close your eyes thats how you puke. Kevin and I conversed some in the kitchen with john being semi there and he stood up and walked over the sink. ARiselle noticed this and tried to help him to the bathroom. As he said this morning "He destroyed that bathroom". HA. Kevin even added that "Dude he must have thrown up like 5 pounds more than anyone IVE SEEN!' well we got a taxi for John who for some reason at the time had faith that he could walk home from where he was. Bad idea and looking out for my homie got him home safely. I guess I continued drinking? I recall breaking some sort of vase, and then knocked some coke over and it sprayed all over the kitchen and then spilled my drink after john left. Wow I was all over the place too. Waiting for daniellea to go to our house she seemed currently preoccupied with Luis and Ken seemed occupied with AMY this is still amusing to me. Weird...well glad I didnt do anything with anyone day one of meeting someone since I was drunk and Im proud of my behavior aside from breaking things. And I handled my drinking and partied through the night. Alcohol hasnt ever really caused me to do anything I regret but does improve my spanish I feel. Or I feel like people understand me more. I conversed with some dude and by the time after like 15min talking to him have no idea what he said. Kevin even came to me and was like 'hey that guy just asked me if you understood anything he said" and had to respond by saying "nah Probably not". hahah. Well it was everything a party should have been and Im glad John was able
to partake. Wonder If Ill see Maria again or her friends? Definatelly will see Jose Luis again somewhere.
Still dont really care if I ever see Maria again but did enjoy talking to her while everyone was involved in
their own conversations and it was probably keeping me sober to an extent which could be why I didnt end up like JOHn. Dont know what I want or If I ever want to be with anyone so The beard as of now will continue to grow...There could be one person I want to be with but I think she should want to be here and she could make it happen if she wanted to..So I guess I do want to see someone from back home again some day..Well waking up today AT like 10amish Stood up and fell on the floor still drunk. Wooo...wut happened? then just got back in my bed and slept. I recall people saying they were going to meet up at 1130am at the institute. SO at eleven arose with confidence and made my way down to the school borrowing a 1.50 boliviano from Mirza to take a trufi. Keegan soon called me and said everything was off bust..So I turned around and walked home. Getting home Daniellea prepared me some lunch and Luis was around looking worse than I felt. I ate some french fries, and chicken and passed out some more after reading. Moral of the stories careful drinking in 3rd world countries and watch what you say. Careful how much you drink. ALways know how your going to get home. Always party with Friends. I SPEAK better spanish when Im drunk.
-side note =I dont know why girls want to dance so badly second time one made me dance here why cant they just converse with me so I can practice my spanish what a weird species.
Give me freedom
give me fire
give me reason
take me higher
see the champions take the field now
Unified us make us feel proud
IN these streets our hands our lifted
As we loose our ambition
celebration it surrounds us
Every nation all around us
Singing forever young
singing songs of the midnight sun
Lets rejoice in the beautiful game
ANd together at the end of the day
We all say
when I get older
I will be stronger
Lift up me Freedom
just Like a waving flag..
Im waiting for this flag..
-WAVING FLAG band/artist unkown I only have remix and consistantly hear this song in bolivia which is strange
because its in ENGLISH. Apparently for a DJ everywhere you go youll always hear the same songs.
watcha say
Oh that you only meant well
well of course you did
watcha say
that its all for the best
well of course it is
watcha say
that it isnt what we need
you decided this
watcha say
what did you say
-IMOGEN HEAP
Hide and seek---the only song I have 5 different mixes of and dont have the original acapella BUST!
what a beautiful song. Missed her at coachella..
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Dad
non-member comment
Wut happened?
Great pictures of the festival! Love the one where you are wearing some sort of headress. You sh/see Keegan in Boston, just don't start rooting for the Celtics or I will disown you! I am pleased that you are having such a good time south of the equator. Does the toilet water spiral in the opposite direction? BTW. I have been borrowing your sunglasses that you left in your truck because mine broke, while I was in Las Vegas last month. Doesn't sound like John is having as good a time as you, I hope that is not the case. Try not and drink so much, give your body and liver a break. Ha ha. Love dad.