Growing Pains

Show me that smile again.

Don’t waste another minute on your cryin’.
We're nowhere near the end 

The best is ready to begin.

The Growing Pains' theme song pretty much summarizes what I felt like since the last time I posted. My first weekend in Samaipata was a weird one. There was a car rally in town which does not really fit in with the nature based, relaxing experience that Samaipata normally offers. The town was packed with rich Bolivians indulging in food, drink, and loud, fast cars. Most of the local places were closed so they could enjoy this craziness so the only restaurants open were the expensive tourist ones. I am quickly losing all sense of what is expensive. When I compare the prices to home it is super cheap but here they are quite expensive. Since I will be living on a "typical" Bolivian salary (which I'm not sure is correct) I have to live like a local and think that things are expensive even though it's peanuts in Canadian dollars. After a weekend of feeling ripped off and taken advantage of one of my great co-workers took me around and showed me where the locals eat and what I should be spending on food. I struggle with feeling guilty for the amount of money I spent on the weekend for food alone as it is much more than my co-workers could ever spend or even have at their disposal. That being said I couldn't help but to buy one thing that I couldn't go without - a coffee maker.  The coffee here is amazing however the locals drink Nescafé! Yes, they drink instant coffee when they have amazing tasting local coffee, but it is more expensive. So I let myself indulge in the deliciousness and decide I don't have to live like a local in all ways. After many confusing and frustrating days not knowing when I should be at work, needing to check out of hotels, wondering what I should be doing and where. I finally got a cabaña and feel more settled and able to focus on the next steps. Which is indeed Spanish lessons as I realize my Spanish sucks! My place is a cute one room place with a hot plate fed by propane, a small fridge, kitchen table and small seating area with a loft where my bed is. It's perfect and cozy. It also has a great garden out back. 

 

My smile is back and the best is ready to begin...