18/6/2011
So I cannot even grasp how grateful I am to be here. I feel so blessed to be immersed in such a magnificent culture! The Bolivians are so passionate and lively. Actually at this very moment it is almost midnight and my room is consumed with the sounds of drums, trumpets, singing and fireworks. La Paz is celebrating Fiesta del Gran Poder, this is the biggest festival of the year celebrating the holy cross. The parade has literally lasted over 15 hours and is filled with beautiful dancing, elaborate costumes, jubilant music, and the capital is in complete and utter euphoria. I guess a proper analogy for it would be Marti Gras in New Orleans…on steroids! Our group finished orientation early so we were fortunate enough to get a nice little break before lunch and post-meal we made our way down the crowded streets of Avenida De Julo, where the festivities were taking place. Street vendors were selling everything imaginable from salchipapas to bootleg copies of Avatar, and we saw everything from participants in the parade stepping out of formation to take shots of alcohol to decorated alpacas! I can honestly say the things I saw today I will never forget!
The best part of the day did not come until around 9 o’clock in the evening when we returned to the streets to check out the night scene of Fiesta del Gran Poder. We actually were in search of ice cream but for those of you who know me are completely aware that I have this problem with “introvertedness“…I lack it completely! So as our group attempted to cross the street hoping to locate a gelateria, I found myself dancing with some members in the parade immediately upon stepping from the curb! Once I was actually wearing part of a gentleman’s costume. The other staff and volunteer coaches could not resist and joined in on the fun as well! We all ended up dancing and marching the night away as participants in the parade; waving, singing, and jiving with all that lined the streets!! By the time we dropped out I was totally out of breath, laughing uncontrollably, and had accumulated a few fans asking to have their picture taken with me!
The best part of the day did not come until around 9 o’clock in the evening when we returned to the streets to check out the night scene of Fiesta del Gran Poder. We actually were in search of ice cream but for those of you who know me are completely aware that I have this problem with “introvertedness“…I lack it completely! So as our group attempted to cross the street hoping to locate a gelateria, I found myself dancing with some members in the parade immediately upon stepping from the curb! Once I was actually wearing part of a gentleman’s costume. The other staff and volunteer coaches could not resist and joined in on the fun as well! We all ended up dancing and marching the night away as participants in the parade; waving, singing, and jiving with all that lined the streets!! By the time we dropped out I was totally out of breath, laughing uncontrollably, and had accumulated a few fans asking to have their picture taken with me!
