New Bed and Bowling

The blog returns!

Been a busy week, we finally purchased a real bed!  We can definitely tell a difference.  It was a bit comical getting the frames, end tables, and mattresses home.  At the first store we bought the frame and it came with two end tables.  Multiply that times two, as both couples bought the same thing.  Now of course, there are trucks in Bolivia but why use a truck when you can hire a taxi and watch him load everything on top of his four door sedan (kinda like watching tetris). As you will see below, these aren't your typical metal compact bed frames.  Solid wood baby.  We were sure that everything wouldn't arrive in one piece.  But, to the credit of the taxi cab driver, they did.  They are very skillful here.  Later in the day we bought the two mattresses (essentially queen size) but we had to pick them up the next day.  Again, trucks galore but a taxi was more fun.  Two enormous mattresses strapped to the top of a tiny taxi with a broken rubber strap.  Now that is true Bolivia.  They made it home safe too and now we are enjoying sweet sleep.

The day we went bed shopping almost didn't happen.  We have had blockades recently in the city center (even more so in La Paz and Santa Cruz). People protesting against the government about retirement pensions and just about everything else.  The day we were set to go, a large rally supporting the government was organized. Mostly from the country or "campo", they came out in droves to show support and to counteract those involved in the blockades.--10,000 strong.  Made traffic a bit dicey but all peaceful.  Pictures below.

Later in the week, bowling!  We hadn't been in a few years and we really had  a good time.  Nice to find something like that, as there isn't much else to do in Cocha.  As you can see below, I rocked the bowling shoes better than everyone else.  Not sure if they've ever had anyone ask for size 13.  I really hustled the group too.  I threw so many gutter balls in the beginning, they stopped trying to distract me and started giving me tips.  In the last frame, I swooped in and stole the game  (we actually all think the computer added the score wrong but a win is a win).

Casey and I were able to participate in the public witnessing on Thursday with the "carrito".  There is a street market that is set up once a month with flowers, plants, vegetables, food stands, and other little nick knacks.  We enjoyed it and we had several nice conversations.  You work with another couple and rotate.  Two stay at the cart for an hour while the other two walk through the market talking to customers as well as vendors who aren't busy, encouraging them to stop by the cart and pick up literature.  Sorry, no pictures because someone forgot the camera (fine it was me).

And last but not least, I got really sick on Thursday of this week .  We thought it was something I ate but I ran a fever so we think it was a stomach virus (no pictures).  Today is the first day I have gotten out of bed and moved around a bit.  Hopefully the last time that occurs--not fun at all.  I did loose more weight so now everything that was a little baggy looks silly.  Always a silver lining.

Till next time, ciao ciao.

Driving through the end of the demonstration--thought we were going to hit someone

We didn't buy these frames but they were hand made by inmates at the Cocha prison. 

OUR BED!!

Nothing but style

That's right, our second American restaurant sighting--Ruby Tuesday

Trip to the Grocery Store

As you can tell, our posts are becoming less frequent--not because we don't enjoy the blog but because we have settled into a routine of service and sleeping.  Not exactly earth shattering stuff, although the preaching is very enjoyable.  Casey started a study with a lady in a small clothing store this week so we'll see how that goes.  Ricci and Traci are having nice conversations and starting studies. I am working with two guys, trying to get them into a good regular routine.  Lots of opportunities to use the Bible.

Today, Casey and I made a trip to a recently discovered grocery store.  Super clean, large selection, and good prices.  It's called HiperMaxi.  It's a little further than the one we were going to but we enjoy it more.  Not exactly Walmart but they do have quite a bit from the US.  We wanted to take more pictures but apparently it's prohibited to take pictures or even bring a camera into the store.  So the pictures I took were done discreetly with Casey blocking the view of the employees.  We're such rebels.

It never rains in Bolivia in the winter or so they told us.  So of course we got wet when this strange liquid started to fall from the heavens on our way home from the grocery--good news is that we were only 15 blocks from home.

As you can tell from the pictures, Casey and I are partial to flowering trees and plants, so you will continue to see these until we grow tired of them.

Everything else is going well....you will hopefully see a blog this week about our most important purchase yet--A BED!!!  See below for what we have been sleeping on.

Saludos from South America!!

That's right, Starbucks coffee....and only $18.50 per bag.

The Bolivians love, I mean love their bread.  Big staple.  Every bin had a different type.

Potatoes.......

Purple potatoes.......

....and even more potatoes.  In the local markets, we have seen 10-15 different types 

Jalepeno on steroids.  This will mess you up, trust us.

Bolivian security system

Our first bed, now our dresser. Very uncomfortable but big.

Casey and I share this! Lesser of two evils. 

Pioneer Meeting and Circuit Assembly

This weekend we attended our pioneer meeting with the rest of the circuit and attended the circuit assembly.  There were so many pioneers that they had to divide into a morning session and afternoon session--all the brothers had to give their parts twice!  We had a total of 381 pioneers from 23 +/- congregations.  We went in the afternoon and because there wasn't good ventilation, it was HOT!  Very encouraging and a melting pot of different nations were represented.  We met brothers from France, Italy, Argentina, Spain, South Korea, and Germany.  There were also some pioneers from the Quechua circuit (picture below).  There is a big need in that language, growing faster than they can keep up.

The assembly was held at the Coliseum Coronilla, a covered stadium with no air conditioning.  Surprisingly, not that uncomfortable.  A sister made us portable seats because there were only concrete bleachers to sit on.  She was a life saver!  In the morning, it was cool inside and even in the afternoon, it didn't get too hot.  It was located on a the top of a hill and so we had a good view for the first time of all of Cochabamba--see pictures below.

Back to a regular week of activity.  We are going today to renew our original visa for 30 more days since we are still waiting for paper work for our one year residency.  More patience, more waiting. 

UPDATE: Went today to renew visas and surprise, surprise--whole new round of paper work that even our lawyer didn't know about.  What's more, since our visas run out Wednesday, we don't have time to do the paper work.  So we will be what is called "irregulars", which is a fancy way of saying illegal.  Really not too big of a deal, you just pay a tax for everyday you are in the country after your visa expired.  Ends up being the same amount of money as renewing the 30 day visa.  Very frustrating waisting time!

Thanks as always for the comments and encouraging words.   Till next time!

How many of the brothers came to the assembly---even an entire family--mother, father, and small child!  Men's bathroom to the left.

Dome of the coliseum

Remberto and Judith Arevalo--we rent from them.  He is the coordinator in the cong.

Pablo and Gaby Arevalo with her study 

Very efficient and organized cleaning--amazing to watch

Our cleaning captain--he was way to happy and zealous

Gaby, left, and Maria Luz--at pioneer meeting

Several of pioneer sisters from our hall, including the missionary sisters.  Far left is Juanita and down front is Elia (short sister).

Left to right: Gaston, Rodrigo, and Gonzalo

Two sisters from Quechua congregation

On the way home from pioneer meeting--10 of us in a Toyota 4 Runner

Baptism, water came up to below their knees, candidates had to lay down

Cholita sister

First Aid dept at assembly--my personal favorite