El Fin de Semana Pasada (Last Weekend)

This past Friday a few of my classmates and I headed to la Plaza de las Banderas (Plaza of the Flags) for an Afro-Bolivian event of some sort.  I really had no idea what we were in for, all I knew was what time to get there and luckily I didn't have ANY problems with the cab and arrived exactly on time!  When I got there I met up with my friend Caro and while we waited for the others, we were treated to a performance of different dance groups from Bolivia and beyond!  We saw modern dance, a Michael Jackson tribute, traditional Afro-Bolivian dances, tradition Aymara dances and more!  I cannot get enough of all the dancing and music here!  I made everyone stay until it was finished! The costumes are just so beautiful and it's so very different from anything I've ever witnessed in the states!  I cannot take my eyes off of them!  The pictures aren't the best, but this way you can see what I'm talking about! Anyway, it ended up that was not the Afro-Bolivian event... it was further down the plaza and it was just a group of Afro-Bolivianos that meet every Friday.  We introduced ourselves and then talked to them for a while, but Caro, Abby and I were rather focused on our grumbling stomachs, so we left to find food and alcohol!  I finally got to try Cordillera (which is essentially the Bud Light of Bolivia- I won't order that again!) and Taquina (which is brewed in Cochabamba) so I was happy!  And we got a free litre of beer from the table of men behind us because one of them thought Caro was cute!  We weren't going to drink it, but then one of the men asked us to take a picture with his daughter, so we felt better about accepting that free beer!  It's very funny how often as Americans we are seen as 'tourist attractions.'  It's kind of like being in China, everyone gets excited when they see a Gringo, I guess because it's something different?  Usually the parents can control themselves, but in the micro I can't tell you how many times the kids just stare at me the entire micro ride and continually ask their parents 'why is her hair red? where is she from? she's so tall! ... etc. etc.'   It's not bothersome, it's just interesting.

La Plaza de las Banderas

Traditional Dancers

Saturday after lunch my sister Valerie invited me to our Uncle's house to help with a party.  Really the only word I understood was 'piscina' y 'fiesta' (pool & party) so I immediately said yes!  Tio Antonio picked us up and we arrived at his house.  He has a beautiful pool and huge entertaining area that he rents out for parties!  The party was for a young man and his friends and as soon as we arrived mi tio and my sister pulled me aside to tell me that all the men (or most of them) were gay. They were very worried that I wouldn't be okay with it, but what would have happened if I wasn't okay with it I'm not sure!  Homosexuality isn't necessarily 'taboo' here, but it is swept under the rug and not many people are openly gay.  But that's the norm for me in the states, and honestly it was much easier to put on my swimsuit and enjoy myself when I knew I wouldn't be cat called the entire time!  We swam for about three hours and we even convinced the dog to come in with us!  He didn't really like the pool, but he kept jumping in so of course we'd make him stay in the water with us as long as we could!  After swimming we served drinks and food to the party goers and cleaned up after they left.  It wasn't very exciting, but definitely worth the work!  I would definitely help host a party again if my payment is pool time and drinks!

La Piscina

Pupito (el perro) y Gabriel

To a rather low key weekend,

Carly