MIA

Wouldn’t you know I got sat next to the John Deer dealer?! He’s from Mississippi and was very bitter that he was headed to New Orleans next, explaining that "those people" are constantly ripping off tourists and looking for hand-outs “I mean just look at what happened there after the hurricane. Everywhere those people went they’re trying to get rid of them.” He also explained that his hunting trip was actually helpful to the sunflower farmers because the pigeons and doves are a real nuisance.

The Miami airport has been a real culture shock. The late arrival of our plane, the craziness of the passport check, baggage claim, and gate assignment system shortened my wait time from 5 hours to 2, but it has turned me sour toward Americans, both new and old. I would guess that 80% of the staff and passengers in this airport weren’t born in the United States. Between all the people I had to interact with to get to my gate—the immigration guy, customs guy, airport information guy, wrap-your-luggage-in-saranwrap-guy, and five American Airlines agents, the most pleasant was the customs guy (and I’m not trying to say that he was super nice). Looking around at the passengers I have to ask myself “does your hair need to be that big? Do you really need to be the first in line at customs? Do you need to use that tone with your kid? How much time have you spent on that tan and those nails?”. I thought the Miami airport would have been a nice transition, but I just want to see familiar faces. It's kind of nice that toilet paper can actually go in the toilet though.

Taking off

I’m sitting in the Santa Cruz airport (Viru Viru) waiting for my flight to Miami to board. I just met a couple of Americans who are on their way back from a dove hunting trip 60 miles east of Santa Cruz. They got here Friday, headed straight to the resort/lodge, and are heading back home to the States now. The guy across from me has a John Deer pillow and I just found out he’s a dealer.

There are rumors of a possible confrontation today at the Trompillo airport between the military from Santa Cruz, the military from La Paz, and 2000 indigenous people who have gathered here for the parade. Other government and nongovernment organizations paraded yesterday, August 6 on Bolivia’s day of independence. Today is a full working day, but Evo Morales (the pres) will be in town and most cruceñans will be focused on the defile. Cruceñans (Cambas) are expecting trouble from the indigenous people (Collas), saying that they have arms and will provoke trouble with the military. Celso told me that the indigenous mentality is such that they put their cause ahead of personal safety and would use weapons even if that put them in danger. Chemita said she’s thinking of learning how to shoot a gun so that she can defend herself and her children if the trouble spills over into their neighborhood (next door to the airport where the defile will take place). But my indigenous taxi driver told me yesterday that was a lot of sensationalism, that the indigenous people arrived in peace and don’t wish any violence.

Susan and Mark (the founders of the clinic) took us out to dinner last night with Douglas, Chemita, Daniel (their son), Nune (girlfriend), Xavier, and Kelly, the new medical volunteer. We went to La Suisse where they had escargot and all sorts of fancy cheeses. It was nice, but felt a little awkward since I don't know them that well, and things with Douglas even felt a little strained. I think he was just tired from a long day.

There’s a woman who appears to be a sales lady who is selectively approaching Bolivian women to make her pitch. I’m not sure what it is she’s selling, since I haven’t been selected for her speech. She probably assumes I don’t speak Spanish, which is slightly insulting but an advantage in this situation.

Common words/phrases used in SC

No ve? (you see?)

pues (kind of like um)

Digamos (pronounced digamo)

Ratingo (very short moment)

Besango (big kiss)

Todingo (EVERYTHING)

Ahoringa (used instead of ahorita... the -ingo/-ango thing can be added to as many things as you could add -ita or -isimo)

Que te haga un hijo (if you are really excited about someone/thing)