selling out of the leading lame bandwagon

So, I must admit, when I first learned of the blogging world, I thought it was lame.

That's right, lame.

And here I am, several years later, jumping on the bandwagon. Or following the lead. Or selling-out. Take your pick of judgment on me. But you're the one reading it. :)

I decided to take this drastic step because I'm leaving the country. And I must admit that blogging appears to be the easiest way to keep in touch with people without bombarding their in-boxes with emails they really don't want read. Plus, two of my favorite people in the world are bloggers now. :) And since I've joined them, blogging is officially no longer lame.

Tomorrow I leave for Cochabamba, Bolivia. I'm studying abroad for Spring '08 semester. It's not quite like typical study abroad experiences where I'd attend a Bolivian university. Instead, the focus of this Amizade program is Global Service Learning. Me and 5 other Americans are going to learn about Bolivian history and politics and their role in the Global economy, while focusing mainly on helping serve in various organizations in the community.

Here's the itinerary.
10:00am. Leave the homestead.
12:30pm. Lunch in Rock Hill.
6:50 pm. Depart Charlotte bound for Miami.
11:10 pm. Depart Miami for La Paz, Bolivia. (6 hour flight)
--> La Paz (hopefully don't pass out b/c of the high altitude) to Santa Cruz to Cochabamba
2:05 pm. Arrive in Cochabamba.

I think by Wednesday afternoon I'll be wondering what in the world happened to Tuesday. And perhaps why the English language seems to have disappeared.

Some fears I have going down:

• I've taken too much luggage.
• I've not brought enough.
• I'll be the person to know the least Spanish these Bolivians have ever seen and will further their view of ignorant Americans.
• Forgetting I'm not supposed to drink the water.
• Not knowing much about my host family, my classmates, my professors, or what exactly I'll be doing down there. Or if it's socially okay for me to wear shorts.
• I'll lose my place in my life here.

How I plan to deal with these:

• Not pack any more. I did one test run up and down the stairs with everything. And, although it's an aerobic workout (all my luggage together weighs over 70 lbs.), a little heart thumpin never hurt anyone.
• See bullet above. 70 lbs is more than enough. And besides, I can buy stuff there. I think. Perhaps some llama shirts. hmm. soft.
• Reviewing Spanish on the plane and having a humble and willing spirit. Hoping this will have a positive impact on the population and knowing it will have a profound impact on my character and pride.
• Bringing water bottles. And asking the Angel of the Lord to burn my lips with a coal if I go near tap water. :)
• Being flexible and wearing pants until research confirms or rejects my hypothesis.
  
• Knowing that my place right now is in Bolivia, not here. And that all the places I really care about in my life here won't be filled by anything but care for me.

• But most of all, I had a friend (one of the fellow-bloggers) remind me of what God told Joshua after their great leader Moses had died and he had to take over leading the Isrealites:

  "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." [Josh. 1:9]
  

It's a command. I must be strong and courageous. No excuses with God on my side. And the "wherever you go" part had never so strongly implied travel for me. But that's what I'm doing, and God is just as almighty in Bolivia as He is in America. And perhaps I'll get a greater chance to see Him work there.

Well, this has been my first attempt at a blog. I hope perhaps I have changed your mind if you, too, were a skeptic of blogs. I at least hope that I have not made you finally realize how lame blogs really are. :)
If I did, here's my last effort. Pictures of Cochabamba from the internet and such. I promise following posts will hold my own pictures as well more thrilling stories of wanderlust. Please let me know what you think.

An overview of the city. (Not just a bunch of thatched huts.)

This is the flag of Cochabamba.
No lie.
At least it's a nice color of blue.

A main town square called September 14 Plaza.
And no, I do not yet know why that date is important. But I guarantee you I will.

Some rocks near the city. I guess they're old or something.

p.s. I've had this song stuck in my head since I watched The Holiday over Christmas break. And I still know less than 20% of the words. :)

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Now playing: The Killers - Mr. Brightside