June 24 – Yesterday we arrived in Tarija to continue our research project. After we picked up our bags at the baggage claim, we received a nice welcome from our contact Guadalupe and her chauffeur who came to pick us up. This is a little town without many North American visitors. I don’t know if it is standard for all Americans to be interviewed by the local news when they arrive or not, but some how they got tipped by someone that we were coming and were anxiously waiting for us to share a few words. Unfortunately, I have a sore throat and my voice has mostly escaped me; so I gave him the watered down version. The newsman seemed a bit disappointed for not receiving a longer explanation for why we are here, but that’s life. Too bad we have to come all the way to Bolivia to become regulars on the 6 o’clock news.
Afterwards we went looking for a hostal to stay in while we are here in Tarija. Having stayed in a wonderful hostal in Rurre for $10 were thought we could find something decent for under $5. We were sorely disappointed to find out that the nastiest places in town were more than $10 a night. Apparently people love the wine and the small town feel of this place and drive-up the real estate prices. Since we spent our wad on the nicest suit in Bolivia a couple of weeks ago, we decided to go with one of the “economic” rooms. Lonely planet describes the one we chose as being rather ramshackle, which I think is a bit generous. Think of your “favorite” missionary apartment and you might have an idea of our jail cell. To make the rooms cheaper they make you share a bathroom with the other tenants in the complex. Showering provides two options. This morning Stephanie chose the larger shower/toilet room with mold caked on the walls, while I chose the smaller cleaner shower despite the fact that I had to literally straddle the toilet as I showered; at least the trickle of water was warm. I don’t know if not having plugs in a room also makes it cheaper of if they just plain forgot, but no power outlets in the room also complicate things. Steph found an outlet in the lobby and tried blowing drying her hair but something went haywire with the current and sparks came flying out of the dryer instead of hot air. Needless to say singed hair is also part of the experience. I guess we will appreciate our mansion at 320 North much more when we return to live in Provo once more.
2 weeks prior: enjoying a gourmet peach pork chop...
at the Ritz and...
...now we are living in the jail cell
It's a little harder to share these half-sized twin beds so we opted to sleep separate!
Don't worry Steph's happier than she looks!
Bolivia just celebrated their second holiday within two days of each other. San Juan is a holiday dedicated to eating “salchichas” or hot dogs with your family and blowing up fireworks at midnight. Walking downtown in the evening was difficult because the place was packed with people buying hot dogs and fireworks. We joined in on the fun and bought our own 100 shot roman candle that was taller than Stephanie.
As far as our research goes we are making progress with our surveys and interviews. It is fun to listen to the doctors and hear their opinion about the help that is given to their country. Our friend Guadalupe has been amazing and planned out our time here down to the minute; it is like having our very own personal secretary.
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