Cappuccinos and Quirky Bolivian Eccentricities

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A friend who I met here told me the best way to describe Bolivia is that everything that is simple at home becomes impossible, and everything impossible at home becomes simple. Eg. morning latte very difficult to find a decent one, but weekend soaking in hot springs cheap and easy.

Something I've found challenging since living in downtown Toronto is that restaurants have very limited opening hours, and if they aren't open they all but disappear behind corrugated metal gates and thus can be difficult to locate! But...when you do finally find them they rock! I had lunch for 10 Bs. (~1.50 CAD) at a vegetarian resto: cream of eggplant soup, veggie salad, lentil stew with potato taters, fresh apple/papaya juice and fruit salad and yogurt for dessert :D

Then after a little work in my cold office I decided to go to the café that's only open at night (what about my morning?) and had a cappuccino for 7 Bs. (1$). Then I saw someone with what looked like a yummy grilled cheese...but it was a club sandwich! 13 Bs. (almost 2$) for cheese, ham, tomato, and bacon on whole wheat. Oh ya! With a fresh mango and strawberry smoothy (5Bs., 75 cents). Um ya my delicious supper cost 3.75 total.
Did I mention they have free wifi?

So conclusion, while limited the restos here have some clear benefits 😊

Another strange thing you notice in Bolivia when walking down the street is that cars park on the sidewalk, this is to allow traffic to flow since all streets are one way and quite narrow. Also, people don't yield on the sidewalk and often will bump each other's shoulders.

Traffic lights are optional and act more like yield lights. If it's red, wait for other traffic to go, then honk and proceed in any direction you choose.

Work update: done running my stats and almost done tabulating the results, just need to finish the qualitative data tomorrow then I'm done the analysis! Next week writing my summary report then on to the systematization! Woohoo!

Thesis update: thinking about writing about participation in the design of rural health projects in development but we'll see, still waiting on supervisor confirmation :S

Next things to check out will be the zoo, the archaeology museum and the hot springs!

I checked out the museum, kinda like an old-school theater (complete with seat numbers and ushers) for 2$ you can see either of the 2 movies (one afternoon and one evening, or a double show for 3$). They change the movies every thursday. And candy is abundant and cheap :D

More updates after the weekend!

Hasta Luego!

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Comments

[julia]

hot springs
let me know when you e heading to the hot springs, id absolutly love to go!

[Karen Ponzo]

Keeping busy for cheap
Happy you are able to keep busy and find entertainment for cheap, learn all the sights so you can take me around when I visit. Have a great weekend, be safe, have fun... watch what you consume, smell first and go with gut instinct! Love you.XXXXXXXX Mom

[Dad]

since living in downtown Toronto?
Have you been living in Toronto all this time? You told us you were living in Oruro? ;>

[Sue Globensky]

Cappucinos a la starbucks?
Even with their patchy schedules, the restaurants and bistros sound scrumptious! (Want us to send you some of the new "instant" Starbucks stuff? Im told its very good -- and at least as expensive as the "real" stuff. ;-) ) Your work and adventure sound wonderful; make sure you look both ways (twice!) when you cross at the lights and keep us posted as you have time - clearly Im living vicariously through the adventures of youth!!! have fun and stay in touch!! Sue

[jenniferpiccin]

Maybe hitting the hot springs on the wknd
If you wanna come just let me know and you can crash Oruro for the wknd!