The Monkey Next Door

A fountain in the Recolecta Area

As one adjusts to living in any new surrounding, there are many new sounds to which one must become accustomed all of a sudden. Often, it is a squeak in a floorboard, traffic, or music from a neighbour up late at night. Some of these sounds have been new for me in Bolivia, however the traffic noise is from honking vehicles as well as those of fire crackers (which I originally thought were machine guns!) at all hours of the day and night. There have been new sounds because of living with a two year old: crying, and screaming in the middle of the night for instance. I have become accustomed to the sounds of the homing pigeons next door, too. But quite unexpectedly one evening last week, I heard the strangest noise of my life: screaming from what I later found out was the monkey next door!! As if there weren’t enough other signs to heighten my awareness that I am not in Canada anymore, the screaming monkey next door did it.... “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore!” is all I could think of in that moment.

Other than the astonishing realization that a monkey lives next door, my third and now fourth weeks in Bolivia have been quite “normal” whatever that term means in South America. There have been the usual protests and bloqueos, a prefector (governor of one of the local states) was arrested and charged with ordering the murder of 30 people, the US Ambassador was asked to leave the country, the costs of gas and meat continue to rise, the President (Evo Morales) and representatives from around the world met to discuss the recent violence and its impact (and hopefully what to do about it),and American Airlines cancelled flights to several cities including Santa Cruz. Tensions in many parts of Bolivia continue while life here in Cochabamba remains peaceful. We are affected, of course, by the rising costs of products that cannot get here because of the blockades and at family gatherings there are passionate discussions about politics, but things remains consistent for me and those of us studying at the Institute. Pictured here, are Amalia, Robbie and I, at Lai Lai, a Chifa (Chinese Restaurant) in Cochabamba.

In my “normal” couple of weeks: I was sick only a couple of days, no doubt something I ate, and from which I quickly recovered, I had three cold showers because apparently the water had been turned off the night before (still can’t figure out why), Spanish classes continue to go well, my Latino Americana dance classes are fun, wonderful exercise and a great diversion!, and I began to take Zampona lessons.....

This is a zampona, an indigeneous instrument that is common to Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. A professor at the Institute also teaches music lessons....

Last weekend there was a “Fiesta” at the school to celebrate 21 September, which is the day of love, the day of students, the day of mystery, the first day of Spring, and the day of Doctors. We ate food that students brought for a "potluck" style meal, there was dancing, concha (a dice game), a talent show, and a volleyball tournament! A full day of celebrating!! Pictured here are Joni, Patricia and I at our little Fiesta.

Some professors who danced at the Fiesta at the school wearing colourful, traditional outfits!

And so, life is eventful here, colorful and diverse. There is always something new, different and unexpected happening. At first it was disconcerting to not be in the "loop" so to speak, to know what was going to be happening, howeer now, I can sit back and enjoy the adventure!! The monkey next door is a reminder that, just like Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz", I am not in my home country any longer and many unexpected things will happen. But the monkey perhaps symbolizes something even more profound: that even while life and surroundings change, we are still who we were created to be, people of God, no matter where we find ourselves. Whether we have a monkey next door or not, our God promises to be and is with us! Gracias a Dios for such incredible love and grace in the midst of all of life's changes!!!

As I close, family, friends and supporters, know that you are held in my heart, in prayer and in God's grace:

"I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that th eone who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace..." Philippians 1:3-7a

Amen.

Fran.