Volunteer Abroad Blog

Author: Fei An Tjan

 In contrast to the city the museum was quiet this week. Silvia still hadn’t managed to get the Internet-man come over and install everything, which resulted in me and her both working at our own favourite internet places to get everything done in time: she at home, me in Cafe 24 with always way too much good coffee. But we’re almost done. The triptych I made has to be approved by all of the ‘cultural board’ and the museum actually starts looking more and more like an actual museum! But as soon as you leave the museum grounds, it’s done with the quietness…

 With the day of La constitución getting closer, the word NO appeared more and more in the street view. For those who are not so up to date yet, Sunday was the day that everybody had to vote no or yes to the new constitution Evo Morales presented. This would amongst others mean more land and rights for the indigenous people, yes to abortion, yes to gay marriage and according to the Cruceños, no to God. Apart from that there were a lot more vague plans, interpretable in a bunch of different ways. Demonstrations were therefore quite common this week and Joel following the lead with his ‘VOTA NO’ toddler bike. Political involvement apparently starts young here.

But even with Sunday approaching and political demonstrations increasing, the city stayed quite calm. Everybody seemed more concerned how he or she would pass the time in the weekend with ‘La Ley seca’. Ley Seca means no alcohol from 00:00 sharp on Saturday (Friday night) till 18:00 Sunday. And as most Bolivians spend their weekend chilling out and drinking, one of the main activities had to be replaced. And wonder above wonder, suddenly Bolivia seemed to obey the timetable for once. At 00:00 Friday night the city was suddenly filled with policemen closing everything down and sending the audience home. But…nothing lasts forever, so on Saturday we saw some sneaky bars and restaurants opening wine bottles and beers again.

The youth found their own way to get around the rules. They just made their own little discotheques, mostly on the streets in Equipetrol, the going out area. The most bizarre cars you can imagine, all lined up, playing all their own favourite music, from Mika to Daddy Yankee with volume stand on MAX. With some imagination you can probably imagine what that must have looked and sound like. The nice thing is, that I was this time one of them. I finally made my first Bolivian girl friend! Veronica invited me to hang out in Equipetrol with her and some other girls (why? I asked) just to drink and watch people and cars. And although I didn’t really see the point of doing that I thought it wouldn’t hurt to immerse myself a bit more in Bolivian culture. So there we stood, leaning against a car with loud music playing on the background, feeling 16 again. Wow, did I feel uncomfortable there, but when I thought about it later, I realised we actually did exactly the same in our own country, only then we would go to a bar and check people out from a comfy terrace seat! Anyhow, also here the party was over soon. The police was clearly prepared for this to happen and people started soon cleaning up their boom boxes at the sight of the green uniforms.

And then it was Sunday again. Kattia and Alvaro organised a little cultural day where we would all cook something from our own country. We invited the Dutchies, and also Veronica came by for a bit to taste all the culinary masterpieces. Afterwards we played some good old game of ‘burro’ (you get a letter each time you drop the ball. Loser = see photo) where classically, someone would end up getting hurt (Renske) and I rediscovered my sports fanaticism. And with sports, there always is a score and surprisingly, Santa Cruz only voted 65% NO! How did that happen? I’m pretty sure the only letters I saw last weeks were N’s and O’s.

It made me realize how misleading situations can be, as if I didn’t know that already, but I get fooled every time again! Secretly in some little corner of Santa Cruz was the other 35% whispering with invisible banners VOTA SÍ…

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RAT BBQ….

Jack, our host suggested as a treat we would enjoy the end of harvest BBQ. Why yes… we had helped, David and I, with the harvesting, along side the Thai farmers. So on the day with a few other locals and friends we hiked through the now brown and some what bare rice fields. First we had to gather hay, arm loads of it, next a stake was placed into the ground with a chicken impaled on it (not a rat at this stage). A large clay pot covered this, then a layer of hay over that. As the “oldest member” would I like to light the fire? Not wanting to hog the limelight, I passed this honor to the youngest member… Another fire was also on the go with corn and sweet potato, fin toil? tongs? No… an hour later we sat down to a truly fantastic meal. Now it gets interesting! Drum Roll!!! Time to go Rat Hunting. The fire will be just right. I am against hunting unless it’s for the right reasons. The farmers are hungry and the rats eat the rice, so they are a menace, can’t argue with that one. Nie, our guide with the gun, leads our little group, we are not allowed to talk. But please, make Rat mating sounds (as if we know how). What seemed like miles later A SHOT!!!! Only the tree. The Rats are close! I think we made so much noise they all went to ground. Back to camp. Surprise!! Here is one I shot and prepared earlier (from the Thai farmer). Take a look, a photo or two. On the fire it goes. Oh Yummy! Why is it that when you/we try a new meat it’s always”like chicken.” I don’t think it did but my mate David thought it did. We will agree to differ on this one. All left overs, cooking pots were donated to the farmers. What a memory!! One more thing. The young daughter of the farmer was so excited to have the tail… As I closed my eyes at bed time. I saw that sweet little face with a rat tail hanging out of her mouth.

LOL Barb in Thailand

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