**DISCLAIMER: looking through my old blog, I found this post that I never finished. It speaks to two challenges that really made my study abroad experience what it was. I didn't want to add to it, so take it as it is! I also added another post I'd started the same day. We'll make a combined post! :)
This is my 105th and second to last day in Bolivia. I cannot believe how fast this semester went and at this point, still don't believe that I'm actually leaving. I've come to call Bolivia home and am so grateful that I got to spend my semester in such a different environment. Bolivia really challenged me, but with those challenges I learned so much.
First challenge: Spanish.
When I first got here I was a little embarrassed to speak Spanish to the locals. I didn't have a problem talking to my peers and my professors, but outside of those relationships, I didn't want to talk. But slowly, things got easier. My host family was so helpful with the learning process. My sister Laura would correct me every time I made an error and was probably the one that could understand best what I was trying to say. And learning a language brings about laughs as well. We visited my abuelo and I tried to ask if he was comfortable and if he needed anything... I asked him if he was food! Everyone burst out laughing, including me once I realized my mistake! It's what happens when you learn a new language, and people appreciate that you try to speak their language. Even if it was just a "Buenos Dias" and "Gracias" a little can go a long way. And even the other way around. It was always nice when I heard English being spoken by someone not in my group. When I was at the airport in Santa Cruz I ended up talking to two groups of backpackers that were speaking English! It was great to just talk about Bolivia and our travels, even though it was just five minutes, being able to speak my first language every once in a while created a bond with those strangers. But now, it's not so bad. I can hold conversations with few starts and stops (there are probably still a few errors, but that's just how second languages go.) I can ask for directions without feeling uncomfortable and the best part, I can understand the answers I'm given! I hope to continue learning and improving my Spanish back in the States, it's just a matter of where!
Second Challenge: Culture Shock.
Everyone knows culture shock exists, and having traveled I thought, oh culture shock won't affect me. I'm used to spending time away from home, I'll be fine. No matter where you go if you study abroad, or work abroad or even just travel in one country for an extended period of time, culture shock will happen. I can't exactly pinpoint what really shocked me, because life is very similar to my life in the states: I take the bus to school every day, I stop at the drug store to buy shampoo and toothbrushes, I shop at the market... but yet I'm in Bolivia. I unfortunately cannot put this into words, but there were days when I dreaded taking the micro to class. What if it doesn't pick me up? Will he charge me more today? Will someone rob me? What do I have that's worth robbing?
BOLIVIA: A brief overview
La Moda (Fashion):
Many of the clothes are from the States. They're either cast offs from previous years that have been shipped around the world or donated clothing from churches, GoodWills, etc. So that explains why there are so many different college shirts and hats! That makes it sound like everyone is not dressed well, that is not true at all. When Bolivians have to, they wear suits with slacks, ties, and no matter what day it is, most of the women wear heels. I don't know how they do it, because Bolivian sidewalks are killer. There are tons of cracks, lots of construction and I can barely walk around in Pittsburgh in heels, so I can't imagine walking around here! The favorite brands seem to be Aeropostale and Hollister, which is funny because that brings back memories of middle school for me when those were the only brands worth owning. There are Bolivian designers, but even the wealthier families seem to buy the american brands. I bought a pair of shorts for Santa Rita from a local store and guess where they're from... Wal-Mart. If you want true "Bolivian" clothing, you have to go the traditional route and buy a polera, which is a pleated skirt, and a lace-like top. But those outfits are super expensive because they are a symbol of status in the indigenous world!
Las Noticias (News):
The news airs in the morning, during lunch and in the evening around 8 or 9pm. The news is similar to the states as they like to leave you waiting for the stories.. "Coming up next..." and then 20 minutes later you finally get to hear the store. The news is different in that it is much more graphic. You see dead bodies with the faces blurred out, car crashes where you can just glimpse the body, as opposed to shots of pavement with broken glass everywhere. The first few weeks it definitely took some getting used to.
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