You know you’re not in Bolivia when…

You know you’re in Amsterdam and not Bolivia when…

-You can walk long distances without stopping to breath (below sea level, as opposed to 3400 meters above)

-On your way from a talk on a Lefty take on the economic crisis…

–You are walking towards prostitutes and weed cafes to find a junkie to sell you a (probably stolen) bicycle

—You get interrupted on your way by fat Italian tourists looking for directions to a museum (which had been closed for HOURS), only to later be offered a “girl, all night, at my place” by those same fat Italians

—-You find good-as-new bedding, sparkly silver branches, an electric tea kettle, a deep fat fryer, and a fridge (all working) on the street

—–You end up with a free bicycle after wandering between strippers and stoners for hours

——That bicycle literally brakes in half after about a half mile

So, that’s been my experience so far in Amsterdam. Definitely a transition from Bolivia. I’m very sad to have left there, as I was especially feeling comfortable and at home in La Paz over my last weeks and especially days there.

In my last weekend, some wonderful people took me to Coroico, a tropical valley area about 3-4 hours outside of La Paz. It was incredible–beautiful, relaxing, fun, warm. The first night we ended up at a Preste (a 3-5 day, 24 hour party, where the ticket in is a case of gigantic beers), and danced with some locals and had a blast. The next day (my last day), we swam in the river… anyway, long story short it was great!

What’s a blog without pictures though, right?

I had been planning on changing the blog title so I could continue with it, but, on the bus ride back from Coroico to La Paz, my camera (with AMAZING pictures) disappeared… It was my dumb fault–falling asleep with it on my lap and not remembering until we had left the bus… On the bright side I have amazing memories, and it means I have to go back! Also, I put together a facebook photo album of my entire trip (some pictures are the same as the ones which have been here).

Anyway, I’m back in Amsterdam, my time in Bolivia is over for now (I would have extended it if my visa didn’t expire), although I am sure that I’ll be back there, and not in too long. For now, I have 206 pages of transcriptions of interviews which I need to somehow turn into a synthesized and concise 60-80 page document (that’s besides the few interviews I still have to translate). In the meantime, I’ll be volunteering at a vegan, organic, sliding scale, volunteer-run restaurant as well as at the IIRE (International Institute for Research and Education)–a ’4th International’-based international organizing center… But not speaking Spanish is definitely the largest culture shock for me. Luckily, I may be moving in with a Mexican teacher at my university, so I could keep it in practice… Oh, and I also may have received a fellowship to present  my research at a conference in Barcelona in December! (cross your fingers for me!).

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