Hannah Kim

Ok, so since my camera was stolen I had an idea to ask my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers to send me some of their favorite pictures from their time here in Bolivia. So far Hannah was the first one to send pictues. She was a volunteer in Tarija, in the southern part of the country which borders Argentina. Hannah was always smiling and lifted everyone's spirits when she was around. She was an integrated education volunteer. Unfortunately she decided to go back to the US after Christmas. Bolivia isn't right for everyone. I know I speak for all of us when I say that we miss her. Thanks Hannah for the pictures!!!



Hannah and Anna at the costume party we had after swearing in after training

This one is of all the B-45 Basic Sanitation guys on our swear in day with our then boss and fearless leader, Lex.

Brandon and me in a bigote competition during competition

This is me at the talent show we had during training (mentioned below in the top 5 parties list). I told the hilarious story of my nephew Stone's third birthday party and read a poem. I think I tell good stories.

All the Basic San Volunteers on the day we found out where our new homes would be

"Happiness Is Only Real When Shared"

I just got to watch the movie Into the Wild which was based on a book that I read 6 years ago. My friend Sara gave it to me and it was very powerful and I related to it then. Seeing it this morning brought back memories. What a good book. What a good story. What a sad story. You should do yourself a favor and watch it or, better yet, read it.

The quote is from something he wrote while he was starving to death alone in the bus behind him that became his home and death bed. I don't know if what he wrote is true, but I feel like I get to share my happiness with great friends and a loving and understanding family, and I know that it is real. Thanks

Wow, this is not good news...

This comment was left after the following ABC News story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4262036&page=1

This is a BS story! I have worked in a number of embassies as a US Army Intelligence officer, and State Department people, Regional Security Officers and Other Governmental Agencies know full well you can’t recruit Peace Corps or US Persons. Actually, it's better to recruit local nationals. If they become compromised there isn't any blow back. As far as Peace Corps goes, they are private US persons and they do not even have access to US Embassy services that government employees have. Actually in all my years working in Latin America I never saw that the Peace Corps did much of anything. Honduras had the largest contingent and they all looked and acted like refugees from the counterculture. They dressed horribly and were poor representatives of the US people. They would come in once a month and get their check and then back out to their assignments, which I saw as drinking a lot of the local cheap booze. My people knew well enough to stay clear of them. They were even under orders not to stop and give them a ride if they were hitchhiking even if the weather was inclement. We had a saying: “I’d rather be a baby in the belly of a ####, than a member of the peace Corps” This “Scholar” is a liar!
Posted by:djendrizal 3:22 PM

Carnaval Oruro!!! and then the bad news...

Carnaval Oruro was the wildest and craziest and one of the top five funnest parties that I have ever attended. The list is below:

1. Haines Alaska Brewfest on the set of the movie White Fang and the ensuing party at the nicest guy in Haines' house.
2. Fil's wedding in Hawaii in 2009... Although it hasn't happened yet I'm still pretty excited about it.
3. Oruro Carnaval
4. The Second Annual McMizby Festivizal, With Report which included a blow up jumpy thing, frozen margaritas, and a huge slip and slide with an inflatable orca whale way before Regina Spector had dreams about them
5. "Sexy Lexy's Super Little Talent Show" in Cochabamba during training 2007

The only bad thing about the Carnaval, besides the hangover, was that after taking about 30 minutes of some of the most incredible video and about 200 irreplaceable pictures, my camera was snatched from my pocket and is lost for good. I have no hope in getting it back and no money to replace it. So, my friends and faithful reader or two, so long and thanks for the memories. Bolivia Pictures is on an indefinite redirection. Unfortunately, there will be more of my writing and less pictures. Sorry, and I hope you stick with me.