More of Molly's observations

[September 15, 2015] Tuesday

We enjoy our service in the temple and love being together in this beautiful place with these good people we have come to love. We also enjoy our daily walks, which are always interesting and fun. However, some weeks are more eventful than others and this week has been one of the less eventful ones. So I thought I would share again some of my observations. Here goes:

Bolivians are hard workers and find a way to support themselves.

Vendors are everywhere. You always see Cholitas selling orange juice that they squeeze right before your eyes. The orange juice is put in a plastic bag with a straw. A lot of drinks come in plastic bags.

Others sell pineapple rounds. They cut off the peel and very aesthetically cut out the "eyes" so it looks like they have carved a spiral line around the pineapple, then they cut it into about two inch rounds. I have watched them and tried to do it at home. It is a bit of an art that will take me more time to master. Pineapples are very juicy so they are constantly spooning the juice back over the pineapple rounds.

There are even vendors that sell ice cream that they, in Cold Stone like fashion, mix before your eyes on a cold stone.

Then there are the little sidewalk vendors that basically set up a little store with an awning and  chair to sit on. These sell everything from candy, drinks, nuts, puffed grains to snack on, to toys, coloring books, batteries, coin purses, flags, even make up, to name a few.

Younger Cholitas have come onto the bus with trays of jello to sell. They also sell something on trays in plastic cups that looks almost like a pudding parfait with lots of whip cream piled high on top. It doesn't melt in the heat like whip cream (maybe it's mashed potatoes), but I don't know if we'll ever get brave enough to try it and find out.

One day we saw a man riding his bike, carrying a pole, at least 8 feet long (could be 10 feet) full of different colored cotton candy to sell.

There is a cobbler that we see on our way to the Feria who sets up his sewing machine, basically his whole workshop right on the sidewalk. It's interesting to watch him work. He is his own advertisement.

I have mentioned before about the walls in front of people's homes. They make me so curious to know what is on the other side. The condition or appearance of the wall does not always indicate what is on the other side. If there is an opening of any kind, I peek. Sometimes there is a beautifully manicured yard. Other times it could be a parking lot. If there is a gate, it could be a little market or farmacia (pharmacy). The rich and poor often live side by side.

There is a little Cholita who makes her home in the median on Circunvalación.

The buildings have water barrels on their roof and the water is pumped up to them from trucks.

Children are cherished and are darling wherever you go and Bolivia is no exception.

There are quite a few parks around. Lots of toy stores. We love to see the children. It's fun to live next to the school (I think it's K-12 ages) and see the kids coming and going in their uniforms.

Ok, only a few more random ones. Because there are so many dogs, the garbage bags in some neighborhoods are put in metal baskets raised on poles for the garbage collector to pick up. We see people all the time sweeping the sidewalks in front of their houses or stores and even sweeping the park and street with hand made brooms from gathered plants.

I know I said a few, but I have to share one more. As we were walking the other day we heard some music, a small brass band was playing "Sounds of Silence" very beautifully. When we rounded the corner we saw the combo in full costume in front of the Catholic Cathedral. One of the group was holding a statue of Jesus on the cross and a woman, who was all dressed up, was tossing confetti over him.

We love it here. Thanks for letting me share.