Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!?!

Things haven't slowed down much yet.  For that, we are holding out for December.  Drew had just arrived last week from his jungle adventure, washed some clothes, and we packed our bags for a weekend trip to Cochabamba.  When we got to the terminal, we quickly realized not all the buses were headed to Cochabamba, and heard rumors of blockades.  We found a bus that was going to take the old road to Cochabamba.  Instead of the 12 hours promised us, it ended up being over 15 hours, which is a long time to sit in one place with no food, water, or bathroom.  Nonetheless, we made it to Cochabamba in time for Drew to make it to the university to get some paperwork done, have lunch with some old classmates, and then head up the side of the mountain to our beloved neighborhood.  

This weekend was the Church's anniversary.  With events for 3 consecutive nights, we didn't have time to do much else.  We did get out for a bit with one of my former students and her family, and I got a trip to the market in too.  Since our last visit, two dear friends have had babies, so we got to see and hold the babies which was really special.   

On Sunday afternoon, we called the bus terminal to see if the blockade was still an issue,  and it was.  NO buses were leaving.  Now both highways were closed to Santa Cruz, but not only were they closed, but the small towns were fighting amongst each other.  So we headed to the airport to see if we could get a flight out.  There weren't any until Monday morning, so we splurged on a mini vacation in a nice hotel room and vegged out in front of a tv all night long.  It felt really nice to actually sleep under a blanket, and to wake up to a cool morning with a view of the mountains.  Not to mention, there are NO bugs in Cochabamba, although I still found myself swatting at the air, simply out of habit.  

I am really thankful for that time Drew and I were able to spend together.  It seems like since September, he and I have been flip flopping travels, seeing each other for a day or two at a time before one of us takes off again.  Tomorrow, Drew is off on this last trip for the year (for work), but will only be gone 3 days.  

Here in Santa Cruz, we are busy finishing up the year, and looking forward to next year.  That really just means reports, reports, and more reports for work.  Next week is Jared's, our intern, last week with us, after 6 months.  He will be missed around the office.  

Aside from that, we are enjoying the wonders of living in the tropics.  With fresh mangoes, limes, and coconuts in our yard right now, and pineapples (the sweetest you will EVER eat), avacados, passion fruit, strawberries, blackberries, and other new tropical fruits we are learning about, Drew and I are enjoying this spring and summer already.  

Unfortunately, summer also means it will get really hot, and there will be LOTS of bugs.  The tropical bugs are more varied that the tropical fruits, it seems.  

Today, no one is allowed to leave their house because it is census day.  Supposedly, they are doing a nationwide census in one day, going door to door.  We will see how that turns out.  Tomorrow, we head back to work, and Drew is off to a Guarani Church conference.  It seems so strange that tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the States, it feels more like the 4th of July here.  I am hoping that will help us to not miss our family and the yummy food too much tomorrow.