Friendship Day

Hallmark would have a field day in Bolivia. It seems as though every week it is the official day of something. This past Monday was the Day of Friendship. For scheduling reasons we celebrated on Thursday by taking the women on an excursion. About 30 km outside the city was a little retreat site and we spent the day playing games and sharing. These women LOVE soccer, it's incredible, and it was great to see them so excited and carefree.

Hopefully from these two pictures you can see why they chose Francesca and Kristen to be in the goals. It wasn't until I quit Kristen's defense to take pictures that the other team scored to goals. Only us gringas seemed to be keeping score though.

After the games and getting to know each other better it was time for lunch. Our instructions were to bring something to share but who was to know how that would have manifested itself. One of the ladies laid out her aguyo in the center of the circle and put a ripped trash bag over it. Kristen and I looked at each other quizzically and then a large bowl of pasta and meat was dumped onto the bag. Quickly to follow were everyone else's pasta and potato dishes. Spoons were passed around and everyone shared out of the communal "bowl" while looking warily at the green beans and carrots that we brought. I might add that the beans and carrots were the only vegetables at the meal.

On the subject of sharing, it is really amazing how the sentiment of sharing is built into the culture here, especially in the poorer neighborhoods. If food is brought out, it is offered to everyone in the room. Everyone accepts. It is considered rude and surprising to refuse something that is offered. I learned early on that if you are going to bring something, bring two somethings. There is a much stronger sense of community and thought of "what's mine is ours" than in the States. It is refreshing and I really appreciate it, even though it's difficult at times when what they have to offer in return is full of meat. Considering the rude refusal, I was worried about not participating completely in the act of sharing but everyone has been extremely understanding and accommodating. They seem to be even more excited when they realize they have something vegetarian to offer.