Videos from Bolivia

Hanging with Thiago

This is Thiago, one of my Kinder students.  We were hanging out on the concha after school one day and he started singing this song.  It's a religious song about God, the words in English that he is singing are "you are almighty, invincible, there isn't anyone like you".  I thought this was too cute not to share!

Elementary School Closing Ceremony

Only kindergarten and seniors have a graduation, however there is a closing ceremony after exams for all students.  Awards are given out to the top students in the class and some students performed a song or a dance.

From The Day of the Student (and pretty much everything else there is to celebrate)

September 21st is known as the day of the student and there have been festivities all weekend long.  Some friends and I were in the Prado walking around the fair of flowers and were surprised by the parade of students in costumes walking by!  My host brothers went to school as a werewolf and as a vampire!

From Cochabamba's Independence Day

This is a traditional Bolivian dance called the Cueca.  This was performed for us at the Maryknoll Language Institute in celebration of the Independence of Cochabamba.  The Cueca is a story in 4 parts.  The story of the Cueca begins when a boy notices a girl and he invites her to talk.  She accepts his invitation and the second part of the dance simulates the "getting to know you" stage.  Next the dancers dance closer, which simulates having deeper conversations.  The man puts the handkerchief in front of her face and asks her to marry him.  She says yes, and the following section of the dance is more explosive simulating joy and elation.