November 6, 2016

Bolivia doesn't go on daylight savings time. So, this morning we are now 3 hours different than Boise, instead of 2. In Uruguay we would be either 3 or 5 hours different depending on the time of year. At least we don't have to adjust to the time change. Some of you will be suffering for awhile.

Street beggar

There are many poor people in Bolivia. There is a huge contrast in the way many of them dress.  My dad used to get the National Geographic magazine when I was a kid. I was amazed to see the pictures of people all over the world, and how much different they were from us. Some days here, I feel like I'm looking at National Geographic. I have had trouble getting pictures so far, most people don't want their picture taken. In the following picture, a Boliviano had to talk the Sisters into the picture. I hope to get more to share with you in the future. 

The sister in middle is wearing the bolero hat which is common with the indigenous 

Cholas. These sisters were shy, but friendly if you spoke to them. The sister in the pink shawl has her teeth partially capped with silver with a design to it. I am told that those that have money like to wear lots of jewelry, put gold pins on their hats and shawls, and have their teeth capped with silver. You can tell if they are Quechua or Aymara by the length of their skirts, which are layered and full, and have a tie in the front with an opening that usually shows in the front. The women are mostly short and stocky and have small hands. Many of them have bright colored blankets that they carry their stuff, or children on their backs. 

The Cholas almost all have very long braids that they tie together in the back with dark colored tassels. This old man went down the stairs pretty quickly for being old and bent over. He had a pretty cute toothless smile. Don't you love this woman's smile. I wish you could see all the silver on her teeth. 

Sister Farnsworth with another Sister we met in the hospedaje. (where we live, and people can stay while they attend the temple)

Sister Farnsworth has bought some really cute dolls. My first ever photo bomb.

President Jay Jensen and Sister Lona Jensen left a week ago. The Paredes are full time Boliviano workers who live just below us. I will miss the Jensens. They are wonderful people, helped us a lot, and they spoke English.

Transportation is fun. It looks like the picture of the bus is of people getting on. No, this bus is moving. It didn't seem to bother the guy at all that he was mostly outside the bus. 

Many of the taxis are falling apart. The handle on the side where I got in was broken off. It is hard to see, but his broken front windshield is taped together with clear tape, and he has a box and piece of cardboard on his dashboard to help hold the window. They like to put little covers over their dashboards. I don't know if this is supposed to be in place of airbags?  I think they are either for decoration, or to cover what is broken. The seat belts either don't work or are too dirty to use. Martin put one on coming home from church, and his shirt had black marks on it. Half the time we wonder how the cars even keep running. They drive fast, honk a lot, and scare me to death. Today the driver drove between two cars on a two lane road. We made it to church. (I pray a lot) It's an experience!

Tags on clothes can say some pretty interesting things. That's not why I posted this picture. A few years ago, I became allergic to metals. I can't wear any jewelry with metal except for titanium.The only thing in titanium I have seen are watches and rings. My skin either gets a rash, turns red, or actually feels like it has a burn on it. I have to cut the tags off of clothes because they irritate my skin. Last weekend I wore a jacket I have worn many times. When I got home my skin felt burned. I figured out the tag has gold thread. It seems I get more sensitive all the time. I hope I never get arrested, I think that handcuffs would bother my skin.

Our total celebration of Halloween consisted of looking at pictures of some of our grandchildren in Halloween costumes, and eating the popcorn that Sister Angle brought to us. Thank you Sister Angle. We do have pretty cute grandkids. Costumes or no costumes. Miss them all.