i will miss…
waking up in the morning to diego or my dad singing loudly in the kitchen while making breakfast
walking up the stairs to my room and seeing the andes mountains in clear view
eating bon bon’s-and only paying 1 boliviano for each one.
drinking obsessive amounts of coca cola.
seeing a humming bird every single day in the flowers by our front gate.
buying gum from jimmy
playing cards or cacho while drinking a beer
freshly made picante to go on any type of food
lingering after dinner or lunch to talk to my mom
diego’s giggle.
hanging my washed clothes on a clothesline to dry-there’s something soothing about it.
fresh fruit juice mixed with milk
hearing Latin music 24/7 no matter where I am.
taking public transportation everywhere and having it be dirt cheap
recognizing new graffiti when it pops up in the city
the chocolate cake balls on avenida america
my dad’s bad jokes
my temperamental shower
being able to buy anything I could ever want or need on the streets
dancing on every weekend night
being recognized at all the local stores
living in a city that is SO alive, all the time
hearing Spanish everywhere I go
the ridiculously strong cologne that all the men wear here.
getting kissed on the cheek as a greeting-even if I don’t know them yet.
stealing candy from the office at school
hot days and cool evenings
walking everywhere
being able to drink wine on the street
having BBQ’s that last for at least 8 hours
family parties weekly that include 40 people
taking in country flights that cost less than 100 dollars round trip
no actual traffic laws (or so it would seem)
my mom’s homemade hot chocolate
the bright colors of the houses, gates and doors
…and a million more things. bottom line? i’m leaving home to come home and i’m both broken and ready. my prayer has been for strength, peace and the discernment in the uncertain future that lies ahead. it’s been a crazy journey and i wouldn’t change one second of it. what a beautiful country bolivia is.
