Change of Plans and a Water War

I am writing from the safe confines of the language institute. Virtually all other places in the city are danger zones. Today is the major holiday of Carnival and all of the schools are out and most businesses closed, which means that what seems like most of the city are out in the streets fighting with water. The Bolivian tradition of throwing water balloons, using squirt guns and throwing buckets of water has reached a crescendo today after building up since the beginning of February.

On top of the Mountain

Riding to the Institute today, I was assailed by barrage after barrage of water balloons and squirt-gun fire. I was prepared today however and was packing some heat in my jacket pocket. Making eye contact with an innocent looking child up the road who was in the act of pumping his super soaker in anticipation of my arrival, I put some force on the pedals and slyly slid my hand around to my back pocket grasping my balloon. As I approached and the boy opened fire, I deftly removed the balloon from my pocket and launched at the unsuspecting assailant. A direct hit to the torso at 20 mph clearly startled the youngster and quickly stopped the incoming fire. Riding away I felt a great sense of satisfaction as today was the first day since February 1st that I have been able to defend myself from the daily barrage. I have taken several right in the face from passing cars. So I really don’t feel bad about nailing the kid who was shooting at me today. In addition to the water, incense fills the air as the Cochabambinos make offerings to Pachu Mama. Fireworks have also been exploding regularly throughout the day. Carnival is quite a sight here and the real celebration isn’t until next week when the parades of dancers will march through the streets.

So instead of returning from Peru today as I reported last week, I returned from the small village of Aramasi where I spent the weekend with two friends from the Institute. So last Friday after my post, I was informed by a priest that LAB (the national airline and the only carrier that goes from Cuzco to CBBA) had cancelled all international flights for two weeks because of a fuel shortage. Incredulous, I began the process of contacting the Airline and finding out what was the problem. After two comical trips to the central office of LAB in the city, I was confident that eventually we would receive a refund for our tickets. I am amazed that a major airline would cancel all international flights for two weeks, but I am starting to realize that Bolivia doesn’t run on the same precise bureaucratic system as the US does. So with our trip cancelled, and with the rest of our classmates already with reservations to visit Oruro, the site of a world renowned Carnival celebration, myself and two friends, Neil and Kim, planned a trip to the tiny village of Aramasi high in the Andes. The Amistad Mission runs a clinic in Aramasi that serves not only the two hundred or so inhabitants of that village, but also nine neighboring communities. There is also a retreat center in Aramasi for friends of the Mission (I had visited in 2005 with Christ Church). The retreat center consists of several small hermitages or hermitas, and is intended as a place for prayer and reflection. We were able to get a ride into the town with Dr. Rudolpho, who is the doctor serving at the clinic. The ride to Aramasi is 73 km south on the road to Oruro, a drive straight up into the mountains that rises from the 8500 feet of CBBA to 13800 feet. From there we tucked down very small dirt road that descends for 15 miles into the valley to Aramasi. The journey there was breathtaking the town itself is gorgeous. All around are the peaks of the Andes with no sign of development other than subsistence agriculture and some adobe huts for hundreds of miles.

Neil and I in Aramasi

We had an awesome time of relaxation, reflection, prayer, fellowship, and of course some vigorous exercise. From where we were staying, I could see one peak in the distance that towered above the landscape. It was my natural inclination to want to summit that peak, which was about 14500 feet tall (Aramasi is about 10500 feet). It was quite a challenge with a lot of climbing on all fours as it was very steep and rocky at points. We made it to the top in after three hours of strenuous hiking and climbing. The vista was incredible and well worth the journey.

The mountain we climbed

So after four days and three relaxing nights in Aramasi we returned to CBBA this morning. The break from classes was much needed and I am looking forward to getting my third set of four new teachers this week. After having been here for over a month, I feel that I have completely adjusted to living here and I am continually encouraged by my improvements in Spanish.

Thanks for reading and for your prayers and support. Happy Ash Wednesday.

Gray
grayskinner@hotmail.com

The kids of Casa Kantuta