I’ve had an action-packed spring break in Bolivia, and I have so many stories to share! Let’s dive into the main highlights of my adventures.
Embarking on our Journey
My journey commenced with an early rise on a Saturday morning during spring break, as we embarked on our first flight. Smooth sailing turned turbulent as our flight from DC to Columbia faced a significant delay. We were stranded on the plane for nearly five hours because the airport lacked space to accommodate us, and crazy enough, a passenger had an allergy attack to a fruit bar given to us on the plane. Consequently, we missed our subsequent flights, prompting a scramble upon arrival to devise a new plan. Fortunately, our advisor Steph and group member Sherlyn, both fluent in Spanish, assisted us in discovering that our flights were rebooked, and a hotel with complimentary meals awaited us in Columbia. Arriving at 3 am, we were greeted with a simple yet satisfying burrito and Coke Zero before collapsing into our beds. Despite the hectic start, we seized the opportunity to explore and shop around Bogota, Colombia’s vibrant but bustling capital. Eventually, we made our way back to the airport for our next two flights to Cochabamba.
Experience at CEOLI
Our mornings were primarily spent at CEOLI, the nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to children with disabilities. The facility exceeded my expectations with its diverse array of rooms, including a music room, physical therapy room, daily living room, sensory room, and even a room equipped with a pool. On our first day, Ronald, the director, offered invaluable insights into their work, despite our collective struggle to stay focused due to our lack of sleep. In addition, the therapists were incredibly kind, allowing us to witness their activities firsthand and meet the children they cared for. Also, I was surprised by the wide range of ages CEOLI catered to, from toddlers to young adults.
On our second day in Cochabamba, we had the opportunity to converse more with Ronald, who provided crucial guidance. He didn’t simply accept our contributions blindly; instead, he took the initiative to articulate precisely what he expected from us, emphasizing the importance of avoiding false advertising and maintaining clarity and conciseness. As he reviewed our drafts of posters, brochures, and our services PDF, Ronald meticulously crossed out and rewrote sections, explaining his rationale along the way. This process deepened my understanding of CEOLI’s mission and goals, and I felt our deliverables were truly taking shape. Also, I wanted to highlight that Sherlyn played a crucial role as our translator, ensuring we grasped Ronald’s feedback effectively.
We also had the opportunity to speak with Daniella during a therapy session in the sensory room. Observing her work with a child who had down syndrome and autism was enlightening; she explained his stims and demonstrated various techniques to desensitize him, such as rubbing sand on his feet and hands and applying pressure to relax him. It was evident how attuned she was to each child’s needs, highlighting the exceptional care provided by the therapists.
In addition to gathering information for our deliverables, we contributed through service activities such as painting their kitchen. I was assigned to “wall duty” and learned techniques from the assigned crew on achieving clean lines and corners. Despite ending up covered in paint and sweat, the experience was rewarding, especially with the workers’ enthusiasm and support.
Our time at CEOLI culminated in a presentation of our deliverables to Ronald, which was moved up a day due to his unavailability on our last day. Despite the rush to finish our work and prepare the presentation, the outcome was well-received, with Ronald and the therapists expressing satisfaction with our efforts.
On our final day, we celebrated our time at CEOLI with a lively dance party and delicious salteñas, creating lasting memories of our impactful experience.
Speaker Series
During our time in Cochabamba, we were privileged to host a diverse range of speakers, including representatives from nonprofits, researchers, and entrepreneurs. On our first day, a researcher delved into Bolivia’s intricate issues, shedding light on corruption, adaptability, and the perceptions of women in Cochabamba. It was eye-opening to discover the underlying complexities of Bolivia, often concealed from superficial observation. She also shared a revealing experience about obtaining her driver’s license, where she was advised by police to simply pay for the license instead of honestly taking the test, underscoring the prevalent corruption.
Among the entrepreneurs, we were introduced to two college students who had launched their own cashback business due to the limited availability of credit cards in Bolivia. Through their innovative app, they established partnerships with almost 150 businesses, offering cashback incentives with purchases. They were amazed with our credit system and associated apps, highlighting the differences between our cultures.
Another speaker, known as Goose, shared his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of following your passion while utilizing your skills. He successfully established a sustainable business producing compostable cups, which were repurposed as flowerpots after use. His creative approach to sustainability left a lasting impression.
Furthermore, we learned about sustainable practices from a speaker who specialized in worm fertilization and composting. Her initiative empowered local women by involving them in creating their own worm gardens, fostering independence and sustainability within the community.
Also, I wanted to highlight how we were impressed by the proficiency of our speakers in English and recognized the importance of this skill in a global business landscape. It underscored the significance of being able to communicate effectively in multiple languages for businesses aiming to operate internationally.
Our final speaker shared insights into his family deeply ingrained in Bolivia’s religious hierarchy, including one member who served as the country’s bishop. Their home was beautiful with grapevines, citrus trees, and an array of colorful flowers. They also had a large variety of unique birds, including albino peacocks and a friendly bird who greeted us with a cheerful “hola” repeatedly.
After a tour of their lovely abode, we sampled their homemade fermented grape juice, raising our glasses in a toast before learning about Bolivia’s Carnival dances. Each dance told a different story including those about love, conflict, demons, and angels. The evening concluded with a hearty meal of silpancho, a dish featuring flattened beef, fries, rice, and fried eggs.
Sightseeing and Exploration
During our time in Cochabamba, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant local culture by exploring its bustling markets, where there was a great variety of goods at incredibly affordable prices. From delicious street food to household essentials, the markets offered a treasure trove of items. Our visit to La Cancha, the largest outdoor market in Latin America, was particularly memorable as I purchased hand-knit llama sweaters crafted from llama fur, among other unique finds. The sheer size of the market was astonishing, and despite only scratching the surface, it was evident that it catered to every imaginable need.
In addition to market exploration, we ventured to the ancient ruins, although reconstructed for tourists, provided a captivating glimpse into history. The panoramic views of Cochabamba from the ruins were breathtaking, offering a unique perspective of the city’s landscape. Interestingly, we learned that “Cochabamba” translates to “flat swamp” in Quechua which made sense from our view at the top of the hill.
Our cultural experiences extended to participating in a ritual where we symbolically acquired possessions to represent our aspirations. I chose an elephant to symbolize progress and success. The ritual involved burning incense, spraying beer, and other mysterious liquids while engaging in meaningful dialogue. It concluded with a symbolic act of pouring beer as an offering to Pachamama, symbolizing our connection with Mother Earth—a blend of Bolivian Catholicism and respect for nature.
Another highlight was our visit to Cristo de la Concondia, a colossal Jesus statue perched atop a high hill, offering sweeping views of the city and its surroundings. The sight was awe-inspiring, providing a serene moment of reflection and appreciation for Cochabamba’s beauty.
Navigating Cultural Differences
I had anticipated being bothered by the cultural perception of time, accustomed as I am to the fast-paced, time-focused mindset of America. I thought I might feel impatient or frustrated by the relaxed approach to schedules. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I embraced and even enjoyed the laid-back attitude towards time in Cochabamba. I found myself effortlessly slipping into the rhythm of going with the flow, feeling calm and stress-free throughout the week.
There was something liberating about not being constantly tethered to a strict schedule, and I relished in the opportunity to simply live in the moment. Riding around in the van, basking in the warm breeze, and engaging in leisurely conversations with my companions filled me with a sense of contentment. Although I occasionally grew a bit restless waiting for meals at restaurants, I appreciated the opportunity to use that time for meaningful conversations and getting to know my group, our guide Ariel, and other individuals we encountered along the way. Shared meals became a bonding experience, allowing me to forge deeper connections than I might have in a more hurried environment back home.
However, there was a moment when the relaxed approach to time posed a challenge. Believing that arriving at the airport an hour before takeoff would suffice, we encountered an issue upon arrival. Our return tickets out of Cochabamba had been canceled due to changes to our previous flights. Frantically, we scrambled to purchase new tickets and narrowly made it to our gate, nearly missing our flight in the process. This served as a reminder that while embracing a more relaxed pace can be enjoyable, there are times when adherence to schedules is crucial.
Connections to Classroom Discussions
Before embarking on my journey to Bolivia, one of the most impactful class discussions revolved around effective collaboration, led by Meade. This discussion encouraged us to examine our own weaknesses and highlighted the importance of patience when working with individuals who spoke different languages and had diverse cultural expectations around communication. This became apparent when I had to handle cultural differences in Bolivia.
Unlike typical conversations in America, where the focus is often on conveying information efficiently, many of the individuals we encountered in Bolivia preferred to share their feelings and experiences, often delving into deeper topics, and veering off on tangents. This required me to remain relaxed and open-minded, allowing conversations to unfold naturally rather than feeling anxious to gather all the necessary information. In particular, interacting with Ronald taught me to appreciate his insights and dedication to the organization on a personal level, rather than solely as a business partner.
Reflecting on my own cultural habits, I realized that I tend to adhere strictly to schedules and sometimes overlook the importance of building personal connections. By adopting a more patient and understanding approach and assuming a listening role, I was able to forge meaningful connections with the individuals we met during our journey, including Daniella, the painting crew, Goose, and my fellow group members. It was these personal connections that truly made the trip memorable and enriched my understanding of CEOLI and Bolivian culture as a whole.
Memorable Moments
To wrap up, I can’t forget to mention some other memorable moments from my time in Bolivia. Firstly, indulging in a Bolivian Burger King experience was quite the adventure; the portions were colossal, but they were definitely more focused on quantity over quality. Then, there was the exhilarating experience of sliding down a local giant slide near our hotel, a simple yet incredibly fun activity. Lastly, being invited to one of Ariel’s business classes at a local public university was a unique opportunity. The students were starting to learn English and interacting with them not only helped me pick up some Bolivian slang but also gave me insight into their lives as young adults studying in a different country and culture. It was eye-opening to discover how similar we are despite our diverse backgrounds.
