A Feliz Cumpleaños with my nuevos amigos :)

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Sorry I haven't written in so long, this is in fact a good thing since I have not been bored for quite some time! New volunteers in Oruro as meant an expanded social circle and more to do after work I have a new roommate and so stuff around the house gets split in two and I have someone to hang out with at night. She organized my birthday party, that rocked 😊 I was woken up at 8h30 by singing at my door, my host-family brought cake and hot chocolate to wake me up! Then a great day at the markets, found some amazing shoes for 22$ (so now I can wear them to go out dancing!). Then supper with 14 of my new friends at a great grill house 2 steps from my apartment. Afterwards a few of us continued the celebration at the beautiful rooftop cafe bar at the hotel Eden. Appropriately named Eden it has a cafe bar for drinks and yummy sandwiches, a new grill, cinema, gym, pool and spa. Needless to say it is one of my favorite spots in Oruro.

Since the arrival of my co-worker (another Canadian volunteer), a midwife from Quebec, work has improved significantly. It was planned that we would visit 2 communities a week, for a day each. However, since the drive is 3+ hours each way, this meant a minimum of 6 hours over dirt roads for a few hours of work. Not exactly very efficient. We have negotiated with our organization to spend 3-4 days at each community when we go instead, once a week to a community. In addition, this will allow us more informal time to spend with locals to give them more time to get to know us and establish trust. To really get to the root of the issues going on with our project we need access to some more hidden information that is often not disclosed until the 2nd or 3rd meeting.

Starting in January my organization will be paying for 2 intensive weeks of spanish lessons! These will help me to better communicate in the communities and with my fieldwork for thesis! That said my spanish has already improved greatly, in fact I just received a letter from the Embassy of Canada congratulating me on a well-written, well-analyzed report (my 72 page spanish report on the baseline study evaluating the current knowledge and attitudes of rural mothers on issues related to maternal and infant health). Along with her praise came some suggestions for clarification for Canadian readers. Thus, after some revision this week it will be ready for professional printing in January, with my name as principle author!!! I must admit it hasn't always been easy, some health problems, being completely alone the first 2 months, and getting over the language barrier. But as time goes on and I adapt I realize how lucky I am to have found such a great first field experience and am working on a project that I actually believe in!

Hasta Luego amigos, que les vaya bien! I'm off to the thermal springs to meet up with Julia!

Jenn

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Photos

Presents!
Me and my friend Marie-Jesus and my host mom Amparo, such pretty presents :)

The Sistine Chapel
Built in 1608 the inside was painted by local artists and is every bit as impressive as the one in Italy, unfortunately to preserve the paint photos are not allow indoors. Thus to see it come visit me ;)

Town mascot
This is Belen de Andamarca's pet llama, he loves to give llama hugs!

Autoridades Originarios
These are the elected indigenous authorities in the municipalities, every man's wife becomes part of the women's elect.

Comments

[Sue Globensky]

Feliz navidad...;-)
Enjoy your blogging, as always and I never fail to be struck by what an remarkable experience you're living. Enjoy, learn and have fun! Congratulations too on the publication! An excellent addition to you academic and professional CV. You go, Girl! Best, Sue

[Mom]

Congrats!
Such superlative work deserves recognition, I was blown away when I read your paper. I am not surprised others were pleased also. Sooo proud to be your Mom, hard work always pays off. Love ya lots. Mom XXXXXX .... and amazing pics,you're quite the photographer as well, talented all around.