Fully funded!

Im extremely pleased to announce that our beekeeping project is now fully funded. Within our small circle of friends and family, we raised $3,400 in just a few months. At then end of July I will be taking a trip to Cochabamba for a conference between all of the agriculture volunteers in-country, and while Im there Ill be able to pick up the boxes and suits from our provider there. The equipment should then arrive in Chimeo just in time for capture season, and our group can really get to work. Thanks so much to all of you who donated or passed the word on to friends and family members. Furthermore, through a serendipitous turn of events I am now the owner of a nice, newish digital camera. This means that I will now be able to take fotos of our activities to share with those of you at home. Im most looking forward to the video possibilities-Id like to tape a capture of a hive of feral africanized bees. So, theres much to look forward to.

Ive also been pretty busy in the mean time. I had, without a doubt, the best fourth of July celebration of my life at my friend Geoff´s site. We arrived in the wee hours of the morning of the 4th on a bus from Santa Cruz and crawled into the beds at Geoff´s house, which doubles as the only hotel in town. A couple of hours later we were woken by his family which, like most families in his town, raises cattle. We marched up the hill and out of town to their corral for a uniquely Chaqueno treat called "ambrosia". Essentially you take a shot of "puro", or watered down rubbing alcohol, a teaspoon of sugar, put them in a cup, and top it off with hot, foamy milk squeezed fresh from the udder. Like that it can be hard to down, but with a scoop of nescafe its as delicious as any Starbucks latte. Really. Many, many ambrosias later we stumbled back to the alojamiento and set about the days other wholesome activities. First we set to preparing dinner, which at 11 am was still walking around and oinking. Although by now we are all quite accustomed to taking part in the killing of our dinners, we all gathered around somewhat solemnly to watch Geoff´s host dad take care of our pig roast. He did the deed, but the rule was that "El que no pela, no come"- he who doesnt help clean the pig, doesnt eat. As a former ethically motivated vegetarian, this to me was the best way to eat meat. While Babe cooked in the oven, we engaged in wiffle ball and a game called nails, which involves a tree stump, a hammer, and one nail per person. Throughout the day, any time anyone won anything, the Star Spangled Banner was sung in tribute. The day was completed with more wiffle ball, a delicious dinner, an excellent fireworks show that woke up the whole town, and fire-side guitar playing until dawn. I think that Bolivias rugged, lawless nature lends itself to indulgence in our idealized, freedom loving American-ness. Even though, or maybe because, we are so far from home, it was an excellent patriotic celebration.

I hope you all had similarly joyous and fun-filled Fourths. Thanks again and keep in touch.