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colbycraige
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Name: Colby
Country: United States
State: Oklahoma
Gender: Male
Interests: Mountian Biking, Running, hiking, frisbee, Disc Golf and Traveling.
Expertise: Well I'm no Expert, but I like people and stuff.
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
Member Since:
1/9/2005
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Three days in the midst of creation can do a person’s soul well. Last week I had the opportunity to go on a backpacking trip with a few of the YFC volunteers and nine of the shoe shiners that we have been working with. It known as one of the best trails in Bolivia, almost 90% of it being Incan built roads. The sheer beauty of Bolivia is scene through the waterfalls, crystal clear rivers, mountains, llamas, little towns and the people. It was a nice three day hike, by no means was it easy, in fact I will say that it was rather difficult. I know of few other ways to make friendships grow than through eating, hiking and hurting together.
Things in my life continue to change. My family is changing, my friends are getting older, and some are even married, my life and the way in which I see it seems to always be changing at some level. As I encounter things in my life that I cannot seem to change, I seem to find myself trying harder and harder, instead of just accepting them. I know that I am not that old, but as I continue studying in the university and just continue to live life. It seems that the idea of surrender is just all that more uncomfortable. As I make plains and think of the future, the idea or even the thought of giving those things up for God is rather bothersome, the words of Christ become much more difficult “if you want to gain life, you must lose it.” Yet, does he not know what is best, I think the answer is clear, yet it’s still hard to let go.
As another day looks to be passing me by here in Bolivia, I am glad to know that I am loved.
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| The past few days have proven to be rather interesting. There have been marches and road blocks for the past 22 days or so. Over 80% of the major roads in Bolivia have been shut down; intercity transportation is next to nothing because there is no gasoline. The current president Carlos Mesa (who I meet at a movie) resigned a few days ago and now the parliament is tying to decide who will take over his position. The decision could push Bolivia into a civil war. With all this going on I would like everyone to know that I don’t feel threatened. I honestly don’t have any idea of what is going to happen over the next few days. If things continue to get worse I am thinking of going to Argentina or back to Chile for a few weeks until things settle down, but I guess I will just have to wait and see.
On a different note.
Last nigh I came down with a fever. One of those body aching, hot one second cold the next type things. I was over at one of my friend’s houses when I started to feel really bad, so I decided to lay down for a bit. As my temperature increased, the mother (I call her Hermana Charo) decided to pull out some Bolivian remedies to combat the fever. To start with she rubbed a Vicks type cream on my back, chest and feet and then put newspaper over the top of the cream to hold in the vapors (or so I was told). Then they covered my face with whipped eggs. I was told that it helps to draw out the temperature. I think they were just trying to take advantage of the sick gringo. I don’t know if those things were a contributing factor, but I must say I feel a lot better. I guess it’s just another day here in Bolivia. Thanks for reading | | |
| “A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plains, safeguards, policies, and coercions are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”
Travels with Charley
I have been here a few weeks and as the time passes I see all the more, that this trip is going to be very different from my last. I actually have a place that I can go to get away from people. This is such a nice relief, being that La Paz is a city of a million people and it seems that in every park, plaza, restaurant and even in the place that I call home (for the moment) seems to be full of people. I am beginning to see that I must approach not just my time here but life as some kind of a teaching tool. Here in Bolivia I am learning that I don’t understand people. I might to some degree understand Americans, but Bolivians? I don’t understand why so many people a marching. I don’t understand people in the church here nor do I understand all too much of this language. For this reason, I see the importance of becoming a student.
So let us learn. | | |
| "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
Mark Twain
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| Good quotes from books anyone? | | |
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