May 15th 2008

I arrived in Santa Cruz early and went through customs as if it was a breeze. After getting off in Santa Cruz I had a little confusion about how to get to my next flight because I had to exit the building and reenter a little further down. I was so early that they asked me if I wanted to change my flight to an earlier flight. After I understood what they were trying to ask me I declined because I knew that someone was waiting at the airport for me. During my wait, I took time to relax and reflect on my trip so far. However, as I got off the plane in Santa Cruz I felt the altitude difference and became short of breath, but I was able to recover quickly and move on. On my way to Cochabamba, the plane stopped in Tarija and I got off by accident, but realized my mistake and was able to get back on the plane and finally arrive in Cochabamba. I arrived late to Cochabamba, but there was still someone there to pick me up. The person who picked me up was Luigi who is eighteen and one of the sons of the family I am staying with. On the way to his house he told me things about the city. We spoke in both English and Spanish. I then started to get settled into my room when I was told that lunch was ready. I was excited because it was going to be my first Bolivian meal. Lunch was chicken soup that had a whole thigh of chicken in it with potatoes and a rice like substance along with bread. I also had a sweet lemon drink that was like lemonade, but to clear to be lemonade. All the food was delicious and served by the maid. Then I met another student staying here named David along with Kiki who is ten and another one of the family’s sons that I am living with. He also speaks English, but I did get a chance to speak a little Spanish with him as well. I then finally got to meet Susana the professor whose house I will be living in for the next three months. I had to speak Spanish with her because she only speaks a little bit of English. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner. In which I experienced that you serve yourself, but I also had the opportunity to fellowship and eat with all of the family except Luigi. At dinner I was formally introduce to Lucas, the youngest son. During dinner I was able to understand and communicate fairly well, but it was good to have Kiki there to tell me what I did not understand in English so that I could understand. The dinner conversation went well, I am still making mistakes, but the family understands what I am trying to communicate. It was good talking to Lucas because he is only four and I feel that we are on the same level with the language. Dinner consisted of steak which was like liver, pasta, and potatoes. I also found out that the sweet lemon drink is considered their lemonade. After dinner I came back to my room to do a daily devotional and read in Spanish. I then took a shower, read a daily devotional and went to be because I am tired from a long day of travel. This day has truly been a blessing and an answer to prayer because I asked God to force me to use the Spanish that I know and I have already seen improvement in my communication skills.