"If the beat of the drum changes,
so changes the dance of the feet."
-proverb of Benin
I found this quote a while back, have applied it to our and others' lives since, and find it very applicable in this time in our life. Times they certainly are a changin,' for life has taken some unexpected turns and we find ourselves making new decisions. No, we are not pregnant.
Our news is that we are coming home. Yes, we were always planning on coming home, but in the past few weeks some things have happened at home to speed up the process a bit.
My Grammy, with whom I am very close, has taken some major hits at her health. She is a beautiful, almost 93-year old woman who has lived through so much, been a cancer survivor (several times), raised 3 daughters, loves her family and friends and strangers so well...and who has taught and continues to teach me (and so many) so much about life and love.
When Chris and I planned for and agreed upon this trip, it was under certain conditions- one being that we had healthy-stable grandparents. It has become true that Grams' health has been compromised considerably, and we have made the decision to follow where it seems life is leading...to dance to the new beat of the drum that we are hearing.
It has been really huge for us to make this decision and really sad to put our original dream on hold. We know that we are young and we have years to continue exploring what lies ahead in life. But right now LIFE calls, and we´re going where it feels right to be in this important and fragile time for Grams. We are so grateful and have learned so much in our time here already. We are sad to go and have been grieving and living intentionally since considering the idea.
It's funny how things can change so surprisingly and so quickly...how a "plan" to live somewhere for 9 months can suddenly turn into 3 months. But it's life, right? We don't live in this world alone. And as my grandpa used to say so often: "Life's for livin'!"
So, how we'll be living our new life (come mid-December) will be in a little place on Raymond St. in Danville...close to Grammy's house and walking distance from many places. I'll be spending most of my time with family, being and helping where help is needed. And Chris will be putting that Teaching Certificate to use at one of the local public schools. We hadn't dreamed that we would be returning to our homeland and our home-city, and under such conditions...but we embrace the turns that life has taken and go willingly, looking forward to what lies ahead.
Always together, be it grieving or celebrating (or both)...
always dreaming, and dancing as life leads.
Your Bolivian-lovin' friends,
Korie and Chris
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Working at CAICC
So, we have just finished our third week at Centro de Apoyo Integral Carcelario y Comunitaria (CAICC--you can check out their website at http://www.caiccbolivia.com/). The time, as usual, has gone very quickly. (Tia) Korie spends her days being mobbed by 2-5 year-olds, who are really good at helping you stretch your limbs, if you're feeling a little stiff. When I go in there, I'm afraid they will pull my fingers and arms off, so I try to stay away. Instead, I stay with the older kids, some of which must not know that they are older, because they still grab you and try to jump on you as if they were toddlers.
So, CAICC is a very affectionate place. It's nice to feel welcome and wanted, especially when you are having a hard time communicating with words or understanding what the hell is going on half the time. That's what I've spent my days doing, trying to figure out what's going on and what I can do to help. There is obviously a lot to do at the center, because all of the other adults are running around like mad. It's just me, standing around, wondering what to do, trying to catch one of the adults speeding past me to ask ¿Como puedo ayudarte? The kids are often left to manage themselves, and they do a pretty good job of it most of the time. I've kind of figured out that it's my job to hang out with the kids and help manage them if they need it, which is ironic, since I am the least able to communicate with them.
Most of the time, I try to strike up conversations (albeit, awkward ones) with the kids, who are anywhere from age 6-18. They usually start out okay. I mean ¿como estas? isn't that hard. I'm great at starting conversations. I can ask all sorts of things like, how are you, how was your weekend, how many siblings do you have, what do you like to do, etc. It's maintaining the conversations that is hard. Once I've asked my first question, I am immediately at the mercy of my surroundings and the person I'm talking to. If it is relatively quiet around me and the person speaks loudly, slowly, and clearly enough, and has the patience (and interest) to repeat things numerous times, than we can do okay. Sometimes this happens. And that's nice.
It's much easier when there's an activity going on. I love that soccer is a universal language and that I already know how to speak it. The kids go to the canchita and play a couple times a week. During any given week, they also play volleyball (the second favorite sport in Bolivia), practice judo, play traditional Bolivian instruments, hear speakers, do homework, create crafts to sell, bake bread (also to sell--the center is in constant need of funds), play chess, read books, run around, jump on me, clean the bathrooms, clean other rooms, sweep the sidewalks, eat lunch, "wash" their dishes (better not look too closely), recycle stuff, and get their teeth cleaned in a colorful bus-turned-dentist-office, which I must say is a far cooler way to visit the dentist than I have ever experienced.
There's a lot going on at CAICC, and it's great to be there. The kids are great. Most of them seem older (and tougher) than they actually are. Most of them live, or have lived, in jail with their parents, most of whom are in jail on some sort of drug charges. (The drug laws are pretty scary here in Bolivia, worse than the US even.) Because of my limited language skills, though, I don't really know too much about the individual lives of the kids (except for the visible clues, like black eyes--one sweet kid came to CAICC with one yesterday, making me cringe and long for the mandated reporter laws of the US). I would love to ask, but am afraid that I will ask the wrong thing or ask in the wrong way or something. So I just get to see the lives of the kids while they're at the center and am left to wonder what their life is like at "home." In the end, they're still kids, who obviously desire attention and affection. It's nice that our limited Spanish doesn't limit (too much) our ability to help provide these basic needs. And that's why we're here. To help love kids and help provide for their basic needs. And learn a lot from them along the way. So far so good.
So, CAICC is a very affectionate place. It's nice to feel welcome and wanted, especially when you are having a hard time communicating with words or understanding what the hell is going on half the time. That's what I've spent my days doing, trying to figure out what's going on and what I can do to help. There is obviously a lot to do at the center, because all of the other adults are running around like mad. It's just me, standing around, wondering what to do, trying to catch one of the adults speeding past me to ask ¿Como puedo ayudarte? The kids are often left to manage themselves, and they do a pretty good job of it most of the time. I've kind of figured out that it's my job to hang out with the kids and help manage them if they need it, which is ironic, since I am the least able to communicate with them.
Most of the time, I try to strike up conversations (albeit, awkward ones) with the kids, who are anywhere from age 6-18. They usually start out okay. I mean ¿como estas? isn't that hard. I'm great at starting conversations. I can ask all sorts of things like, how are you, how was your weekend, how many siblings do you have, what do you like to do, etc. It's maintaining the conversations that is hard. Once I've asked my first question, I am immediately at the mercy of my surroundings and the person I'm talking to. If it is relatively quiet around me and the person speaks loudly, slowly, and clearly enough, and has the patience (and interest) to repeat things numerous times, than we can do okay. Sometimes this happens. And that's nice.
It's much easier when there's an activity going on. I love that soccer is a universal language and that I already know how to speak it. The kids go to the canchita and play a couple times a week. During any given week, they also play volleyball (the second favorite sport in Bolivia), practice judo, play traditional Bolivian instruments, hear speakers, do homework, create crafts to sell, bake bread (also to sell--the center is in constant need of funds), play chess, read books, run around, jump on me, clean the bathrooms, clean other rooms, sweep the sidewalks, eat lunch, "wash" their dishes (better not look too closely), recycle stuff, and get their teeth cleaned in a colorful bus-turned-dentist-office, which I must say is a far cooler way to visit the dentist than I have ever experienced.
There's a lot going on at CAICC, and it's great to be there. The kids are great. Most of them seem older (and tougher) than they actually are. Most of them live, or have lived, in jail with their parents, most of whom are in jail on some sort of drug charges. (The drug laws are pretty scary here in Bolivia, worse than the US even.) Because of my limited language skills, though, I don't really know too much about the individual lives of the kids (except for the visible clues, like black eyes--one sweet kid came to CAICC with one yesterday, making me cringe and long for the mandated reporter laws of the US). I would love to ask, but am afraid that I will ask the wrong thing or ask in the wrong way or something. So I just get to see the lives of the kids while they're at the center and am left to wonder what their life is like at "home." In the end, they're still kids, who obviously desire attention and affection. It's nice that our limited Spanish doesn't limit (too much) our ability to help provide these basic needs. And that's why we're here. To help love kids and help provide for their basic needs. And learn a lot from them along the way. So far so good.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Hopeful tears
At 2am Bolivia time- we just finished listening to our new President´s speech. For maybe the first REAL time in my life, I feel pride in our country. With tears running down my face, knowing the complexities of the situations in the world and in our country, I feel hope for days ahead. Chris and I celebrate, dancing and laughing! And from our livingroom in Bolivia, we toast our Taquiña Stout beers to peace and unity, and the changes we will work together to see come!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
A few more pics from Bolivia
Chris and our guide jumping into some rapids after our rafting adventure in Villa Tunari
In the village of Payrumani--our camera doesn't do the mountains, or Korie, justice
Korie and her language teacher, Sylvia, at Bolivia Cultura
In an old convent in the village of Tarata, known as the hometown of an infamous Bolivian dictator who once gave a huge chunk of Bolivian land to Brazil in exchange for a horse. Thursday, October 23, 2008
27 and back from the jungle
Hola friends!
I think Spanglish is an honest representation of my thinking and speaking at this point. Unfortunately, not fluent yet, but there´s still time. We finished up our daily language lessons at the end of last week and then took off on a quick trip to see a different part of Bolivia. We hopped on a bus for a 3-4 hour trip into the Chapare region. The diversity in nature around here is amazing! It was beautiful to watch the land transform from dry valley, to pinetree-spotted hills, to steep mountains of dark jungle green. That´s where our trip stopped- in a village called Villa Tunari. We hiked 2K to the place we were staying in the forest and enjoyed swimming in natural pools, climbing around the rocky river, and tasting fresh fish and cheap wine. The next day we moved into the villa, proper. The second place we stayed was right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the rushing river. We had thoughts of kayaking for the next morning and somehow found ourselves on a whitewater rafting adventure instead. Just us and 2 Bolivian guides- it was really cheap, really fun, and the only way to spend the hot sunny day in the jungle! We got to jump off the raft, float down the river, and see the land from the perspective of the rio! We loved it.
Now we´re back in Cochabamba and looking forward to our upcoming work with the children in a nearby town called Quillacollo. It´s just outside of Coch, and the center where we´ll be working welcomes about 150 kids everyday (with just 7 staff members). Schooldays around here are either 5 hours before lunch or after, so whatever half-day the kids aren´t at school, they come to the center to study, play, eat, create, etc. We will be going to visit tomorrow and begin working Monday. Wé´ll let you know more details as soon as we learn more about what things look like and our place in it all. Thank you for your love and support always, friends. We welcomed this 27th year with cake and icecream, new friends, and gratitude for the life we are living and things we are learning together.
I think Spanglish is an honest representation of my thinking and speaking at this point. Unfortunately, not fluent yet, but there´s still time. We finished up our daily language lessons at the end of last week and then took off on a quick trip to see a different part of Bolivia. We hopped on a bus for a 3-4 hour trip into the Chapare region. The diversity in nature around here is amazing! It was beautiful to watch the land transform from dry valley, to pinetree-spotted hills, to steep mountains of dark jungle green. That´s where our trip stopped- in a village called Villa Tunari. We hiked 2K to the place we were staying in the forest and enjoyed swimming in natural pools, climbing around the rocky river, and tasting fresh fish and cheap wine. The next day we moved into the villa, proper. The second place we stayed was right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the rushing river. We had thoughts of kayaking for the next morning and somehow found ourselves on a whitewater rafting adventure instead. Just us and 2 Bolivian guides- it was really cheap, really fun, and the only way to spend the hot sunny day in the jungle! We got to jump off the raft, float down the river, and see the land from the perspective of the rio! We loved it.
Now we´re back in Cochabamba and looking forward to our upcoming work with the children in a nearby town called Quillacollo. It´s just outside of Coch, and the center where we´ll be working welcomes about 150 kids everyday (with just 7 staff members). Schooldays around here are either 5 hours before lunch or after, so whatever half-day the kids aren´t at school, they come to the center to study, play, eat, create, etc. We will be going to visit tomorrow and begin working Monday. Wé´ll let you know more details as soon as we learn more about what things look like and our place in it all. Thank you for your love and support always, friends. We welcomed this 27th year with cake and icecream, new friends, and gratitude for the life we are living and things we are learning together.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
birthday wishes
Bundled up in slippers, hat, and pjs...i´ve already received a great early-birthday present:
cool weather!
Not that it´s ever really hot around here, but being the aire-fresco lover that i am, I happily welcomed the rains of last night and this morning...as they brought temperatures down from the 80´s to somewhere below 70 (i´m guessing). Plus, I think I just heard my favorite episode of friends come on...the one where nobody´s ready. We don´t really have big plans for our birthdays, but we´ll probably just indulge in some cheesecake, or a movie, or a hike or something. Or we may find ourselves spontaneously taking a trip somewhere- who knows!
Other than that, things are going well. We´re sort of at a standstill with the political situation around here, but we´ll keep you updated. Next thing we know we´ll be receiving our ballots to vote for the US election (hopefully, if the mail doesn´t fail us).
Not to spend too much time on it, but earlier I resisted the urge to write in my state of rage and fury...after listening to last week´s VP debate. Wow. breathe, korie. My heart´s pounding already, but I just want to make my birthday wish and request, especially to the women out there: While, I am still somewhat realistic-cynical about politics and the fact that there are no perfect candidates, I actually feel like we are living in a time when we have an opportunity for change and for hope. We will, for the first time in history, have either a black president or a woman VP. This is amazing and exciting, and my Spanish got really ´good´ suddenly when talking to our host-mom about this.
But I must say, as a woman, as a US citizen, my heart was sickened and saddened a week ago at the thought that our children (our little girls, particularly) might have for a role-model a woman who (my apologies) represents so much of what I believe needs to be changed in US society. In my opinion, we need role models (men and women) who represent intelligence, compassion, and hope. We need people who work for peace and social justice, who honor and make a priority those who are forgotten and oppressed, who are willing to talk honestly about making sacrifices in order to care for the earth and for people who are suffering upon it- often times suffering because of situations they were born into and/or situations that have been placed upon them (poverty, violence, failed health, loss of caregivers-providers, war, trauma, abuse, neglect). I am far from having solutions, but when i hear the options: hopeful talk about making choices, changes, and sacrifices to correct some of our terrible decisions of the past OR fearful talk about ´making ourselves more secure,´ giving to those who already have so much, and being tough-strong enough to ´see things through´ to the finish...the choice seems clearer to me. When I observe the candidates´ behavior: whether they speak and act with respect for one another, it seems telling as to whether they would listen and respect the voices of people in the US and around the world. I have to trust deep inside myself and trust my hope. And I have to, at least, give my hope a chance by supporting someone who I believe might lead us into a world that looks a little more like the kind of place I dream for all living upon it. With this in my heart, I blow out my candles!
cool weather!
Not that it´s ever really hot around here, but being the aire-fresco lover that i am, I happily welcomed the rains of last night and this morning...as they brought temperatures down from the 80´s to somewhere below 70 (i´m guessing). Plus, I think I just heard my favorite episode of friends come on...the one where nobody´s ready. We don´t really have big plans for our birthdays, but we´ll probably just indulge in some cheesecake, or a movie, or a hike or something. Or we may find ourselves spontaneously taking a trip somewhere- who knows!
Other than that, things are going well. We´re sort of at a standstill with the political situation around here, but we´ll keep you updated. Next thing we know we´ll be receiving our ballots to vote for the US election (hopefully, if the mail doesn´t fail us).
Not to spend too much time on it, but earlier I resisted the urge to write in my state of rage and fury...after listening to last week´s VP debate. Wow. breathe, korie. My heart´s pounding already, but I just want to make my birthday wish and request, especially to the women out there: While, I am still somewhat realistic-cynical about politics and the fact that there are no perfect candidates, I actually feel like we are living in a time when we have an opportunity for change and for hope. We will, for the first time in history, have either a black president or a woman VP. This is amazing and exciting, and my Spanish got really ´good´ suddenly when talking to our host-mom about this.
But I must say, as a woman, as a US citizen, my heart was sickened and saddened a week ago at the thought that our children (our little girls, particularly) might have for a role-model a woman who (my apologies) represents so much of what I believe needs to be changed in US society. In my opinion, we need role models (men and women) who represent intelligence, compassion, and hope. We need people who work for peace and social justice, who honor and make a priority those who are forgotten and oppressed, who are willing to talk honestly about making sacrifices in order to care for the earth and for people who are suffering upon it- often times suffering because of situations they were born into and/or situations that have been placed upon them (poverty, violence, failed health, loss of caregivers-providers, war, trauma, abuse, neglect). I am far from having solutions, but when i hear the options: hopeful talk about making choices, changes, and sacrifices to correct some of our terrible decisions of the past OR fearful talk about ´making ourselves more secure,´ giving to those who already have so much, and being tough-strong enough to ´see things through´ to the finish...the choice seems clearer to me. When I observe the candidates´ behavior: whether they speak and act with respect for one another, it seems telling as to whether they would listen and respect the voices of people in the US and around the world. I have to trust deep inside myself and trust my hope. And I have to, at least, give my hope a chance by supporting someone who I believe might lead us into a world that looks a little more like the kind of place I dream for all living upon it. With this in my heart, I blow out my candles!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
mailing address
hola friends!
And Happy October!
Some of you have asked for an address to which you can send cards or packages.
we can receive mail at:
Chris and Korie Campbell-Stanley
c/o Bolivia Cultura
Casilla 2411
Cochabamba, Bolivia
We´d love to hear from you, in this: the best month of the year (in my opinion)!
With Love from...
the nearly 27-year old, español-attempting, culture-explorers.
And Happy October!
Some of you have asked for an address to which you can send cards or packages.
we can receive mail at:
Chris and Korie Campbell-Stanley
c/o Bolivia Cultura
Casilla 2411
Cochabamba, Bolivia
We´d love to hear from you, in this: the best month of the year (in my opinion)!
With Love from...
the nearly 27-year old, español-attempting, culture-explorers.
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