Another entry (written May 18th)

So yesterday was a lot of fun. Originally we had planned to go into Quillacollo to get on the internet and look around a bit. But because of the paro civico, Peace Corps told us that we were not allowed to go to the city. Our classes were cancelled as well, which was nice since we’ve been pretty busy since they started. But we had other plans, so it was ok.
We watched El Diamonte de Sangre with Spanish subtitles. Most of us disliked dubbed voices so the speaking was still in English. It was an assignment for class (yet another reason why Liesbeth is the greatest Spanish teacher in Bolivia). We made pipocas the old fashioned way – over a stove - and had Coke to drink. There was a moment of hilarity when we offered the Coke to Sarah’s host brother and he refused vehemently, thinking that we were offering him coca (used to make cocaine). He was shocked that we would drink such a thing. Of course we tried to explain with our limited Spanish that it was refresca, not drugs and I think he understood, or at least I hope he did. The movie was especially funny for its comment on the Peace Corps. Those of you who have seen it may remember the part where Leonardo DiCaprio first meets Jennifer Connely and mistakes her for a Peace Corps volunteer. He says that Peace Corps volunteers only stay long enough to realize that there’s nothing that they can do – or something to that effect. Ruben (Sarah’s host brother) got a big kick out of that. We’re hoping to make the movie a weekly thing. We’re going to ask Liesbeth for a funny movie next time – one without so much violence.
In the evening we went to a fiesta in Illataco with other Peace Corps Trainees. I thought it was going to be an actual party, but it was just us volunteers. It was still fun though. We got to see people that we usually don’t see on a daily basis. The way housing is set up, we are split into two sections. I live in the Matenda/Chulla section and the second group lives in the Florida/Illataco section. It’s about a 20 minute walk between the two closest people from each group. Between the two farthest volunteers, it’s about an hour’s walk. Since we have classes from 8:30 to 6 most days, we don’t really have time to go see the other group during the week. Anyways, last night was a blast. The tienda we sat at had a foosball table so we played that for awhile. Sarah was really gung-ho about it. She beat all of us but then the 5-year-old kid who lives there beat her. It was pretty funny. I got home a little later than curfew but everyone in the house was asleep already so it wasn’t a big deal.
Again, I love hearing from you guys so let me know how things are going in your lives!