Running away from stress!

Hi folks. I still didn’t figure out how the Bolivian w-lan works… Sometimes I have access to it but most of the time not. Well… Right now I’m sitting in front of the “Laboratorio de Hardware” (again) to find out why it isn’t working this time. Unfortunately, somebody has decided that it is siesta time or whatever because the door is open but nobody is in the office. Who cares. That’s Bolivia and I already got used to that part of life here.

My week so far was great. The cola finally solved my diarrhea problem and except for the nights (still the shouting-girls-and-slamming-doors issue), I really can’t complain. Concerning the nights – I’m working on it. The deans offered me to move to the part for the university students, but I chose the authority to do something against the noisy nights instead (since there are girls who want to sleep but don't have this kind of authority). With God's help I hope, I'll be able to help the girls to get at least 7 hours sleep per night…

On Tuesday, I finally made it to Quillacollo. I decided to do that trip on my own so I wouldn’t have to wait for anybody and I could explore my new surroundings without stress. I actually really like the Bolivian bus system. It's not only cheap but very efficient. You just wait for a bus that goes the direction you want to go, stop it and there you go. No bus shedules and normally you don't really have to wait either. It's very cheap anyways; the only problem could be the savety of the vehicles...

Yesterday though, I went to Cochabamba with Rodrigo (a funny/crazy Brasilian) and Denis (a quieter guy from France) because I didn't feel comfortable to go to town alone. I guess the picture doesn't need an explanation who is who... (yes, there are white people in Brasil). We had a great time although none of us really knew where we where and where we wanted to go. We took a whole bunch of different busses and taxis and at the end, Denis and I left Rodrigo because he had to wait at some office and Denis and I didn't feel like waiting in the sun for hours. I nevertheless burned my neck. At least some color =)

What else? I sarted to go jogging instead of going to supper. It has helped me a lot to get rid of mental stress and not to get angry with the girls in the night. I take my mp-3 player and just run and enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains. Maybe I won't get used to everything over here, but I'm determined to make the best out of all the rules. I won't skip supper every day I guess, but when I feel that running is more important than food, I'll go for running. Today I actually have time for both so I'll say "Good bye" for now and head off to my room to get my sport shoes.

Whatever is bothering you, I encourage you to look and pray for ways how to cope with the situation in a healthy way if you can't change the circumstances. May the Lord help you to develop you personal (stress) coping skills.

maria

PS: The internet is somehow working again.... at least at some places on campus...