Bolivia Bound: It's Winding Down 😢

We are both feeling better, but since we missed a big chunk of this trip being sick, we have a lot of things to cram into our remaining time. So on Friday, I went on Bible studies with Reenie. Her and Bob both have several Bible studies. Here people ask you for studies. Interesting concept isn't it? The pioneers are constantly trying to shuffle people that want to study, hoping that someone will have time in their schedule. Trying to balance door to door with bible studies is definitely a challenge here, since there are so many who want to study. You could spend all your time just conducting studies. I'd like to have that problem!

After the studies, the boys picked us up and we went to lunch on the plaza, at a place called Marques. The restaurant used to be a huge home that they converted into a restaurant. Beautiful architecture! It's a pretty nice restaurant and still the four of us ate for around $20.00 (us) and that included the tip and cappuccinos and adult beverages 😀. Try doing that at a nice restaurant in the states.

Saturday is always market. I wish that you could see this market. It seems to stretch for miles. It covers at least several city blocks and has everything you could imagine. We took our backpacks to make carrying the food a little easier this time. But by the time you walk around for a couple of hours, all of those fruits and vegetables get pretty heavy. It is kind of necessary to shop the different vendors as prices will vary. The prices will also vary at the same vendor from week to week based on the quality of the produce. They kind of price it by grade: primera- or the best, segunda- or second and so on. If you buy quite a bit from the same vendor, they will usually give you a yappa - or something free. Nothing big, but just something to show their appreciation. All in all a pretty neat experience, except the part about feeling like a pack mule. But actually for a couple of bolivianos, (about 40 cents) you can hire bolivian boys to carry your stuff. ( Or you can whine that your back hurts and then your sweet husband will offer to carry it 😉)

We have the Sunday meeting here at 4:30 p.m. The talk was given by a very sweet brother in the Sur congregation. He has quite a story of walking in isolated areas in the mountains with little or no food in order to preach. He is older now and is currently taking care of his wife who has Alzheimer's disease. What a faithful brother! I enjoyed his talk because he was a very slow and deliberate speaker, which is a blessing when your Spanish isn't that great. The congregation here is full of kids. I counted at least 50 kids up to around age 19. And we were told there were many missing. The attendance was around 140. Here it is pretty much a custom that you go around and greet each person at the hall. So it takes awhile to get around to everybody! But the friends want to make sure that everyone feels welcome. After the meeting we went to the Los Parrales Hotel to meet the missionary couple, Russell and Janice. We made use of the spa facilities they have there. For ( 7.00 us) you can use their jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. That was a relaxing treat!

On Monday, one of the couples, Bruce and Cynthia, sponsored a gringo breakfast at their apartment. It was so much fun. We had hash browns, eggs, sausage ( you have to a make your own- no Jimmy Dean here folks) and Janice made her famous pancakes. After that it was game time. Playing games is a very popular thing to do here- not much TV in English, which is a good thing. We played Catch Phrase, boys against the girls. I am sad to report that due to a last minute rally, the boys beat the girls!

After that, some of the guys played ping pong and the rest of us played Sequence. It was nice to visit with everyone and here their stories of how they ended up in Tarija.

Yesterday, the boys went to play golf again. As the boys had taken the car, that left Reenie and I to take the micro (the bus) to downtown. I wanted to do a little shopping. The bus only cost .30 cents and will take you wherever you want to go. The bus schedule is, however, a bit confusing! Glad Reenie knew what she was doing. After shopping, we went back to the Marques for lunch. We decided on beer and pizza. Let's just say that pizza is one of the first things I want to eat when I get home. And not just any pizza, my favorite one from Snappy's or Turtilini's. ( Nick are you listening? You know the one!)

That just about brings you up to date. Hope all is well with everyone back home. Continue to enjoy! Today we head to the valley to the vineyards. More to come.

Love to all,

M & M