I'm sure I can speak for the team in saying we are having a great time in Rio Branco. Like every place we've visited so far the hosts, families and friends cannot do enough for us. We really appreciate it and would be happy to return the favour should the UK be on the visit list!
I'm staying with Fernando and his family who are being extra kind as they are not even Rotarians. Their house is set in woodland so You can imagine the wildlife! A 'pet' tarantula has made itself at home on the outside of the house(!) and monkeys with the strangest walrus-Like whiskers come and feed in the garden every day. I'm beginning to take creepy crawlies in my stride!
Returning to our trip to Bolivia... It was something that William staying with me. It's amazing how different people can look just travelling a few metres over a bridge into a New country. We did see women in long skirts and with long plaits in their hair just as you'd see in books and documentaries. Cobija is a modern border city though and Brazilians flock there to take avantage of chapear electrical goods, perfume etc. However, we noticed that lots of things are more expensive than in the UK so may be we get a better deal than we think!
One interesting fact about Bolivia is that it's illegal TO wear helmets on motorbikes as it's considered threatening! Hmmm. We also saw lots of little ones sitting on the front of bikes- a health and safety nightmare back home! That's what this trip is about though- getting an appreciation of different cultures and ways. One thing I won't be complaining about back home is potholes in the roads- you've not seen any until you've been to Brazil!
By Liz
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| crossing the border into Bolivia |
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| Looking across the river to bolivia |
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| The food here is incredible it would be rude not to sample it all !! |
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| Two drinks and im starting a fight |
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| our wonderful host and coordinator Coracy |
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| Ursy living the Brazilian Dream |
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| VIP status again |
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| Meeting the Supreme court Judge |
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| outside the court room |
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| Liz camera ACTION !! |
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| Meeting with the state governor of Acre |
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| Moving visit to a creche in a very poor area |
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| Happy kids but no water and no toys to play with |
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| no water ?? |
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| The end of a long day and a well earned drink and debrief. It all starts again tomorrow!! |
Just got back from my brother's and I have really enjoyed reading your blogs. Don't know how you find time to do these as well as everything else you are doing. You sound as if you are enjoying your vocational experiences and managing to fit in party time as well.Glad you are seeing some of the Rotary projects as well--I'm always impressed by these when I visit them abroad. Hope they will inspire you to join!I am envying you all the sights--the scenery,the wild-life (even the creepy crawlies but not the mosquitoes!)and the food. Fish and chocolate would be my idea of food heaven--but I do like meat too! I would have loved to visit the schools and the orphanage too---anything involving children would be my choice for a great visit.Kep the blogs coming and continue to have fun. You can always sleep when you get home--Lancome do a wonderful concealer for tired eyes!
ReplyDeleteLove to all,
Jenny