It is now October and the days are getting longer and hotter. Strange, eh? No longer do I take a jacket to school with me in the mornings. The past few weeks have been fun, but in this particular post, I would like to describe two parties Drew and I attended the past week.
Like I said, we were invited to two birthday parties. The first was an elaborate invitation from a student of mine complete with bright pink foam, pink feathers and a 3-d butterfly. She invited the entire class and more to her party. Drew and I took a bus to the center of town to "Adventure World" or something similar to that. We walked in to find a huge playground with lots of kids playing around. The birthday girl wore an elaborate ball-gown style dress complete with make-up, jewelry, gloves, an up-do and anything else you might need for a birthday party on a playground at age 8. There were tables set up on the side for the parents who quickly divided themselves based on obvious social circles. After about 25 kids had shown up the magician, and clowns put on a 3-hour performance. While the kids were playing, the adults were served a number of snacks and party treats as well. Drew and I had to leave just as the hamburgers were being passed out, we didn't even get a piece of cake. And, believe it or not, we didn't go play with the kids, we sat with the parents of my students.
The topics of discussion were varied, but obviously politics was brought up. It was interesting to hear their perpectives on things happening in Bolivia right now. They admitted that now the indigenous people had realized the power of voting, they (the rich, upper class) would never have the power again. They agreed that eventually all the white skinned people would leave the country to the dark skinned people. Thank goodness they didn't ask Drew or I what we thought, we might have been kicked out for our views.
As far as the party was concerned, the parents of my kids were very critical of everything, and it made the whole experience a little tense.
Three nights later, we walked a few blocks up the hill to some friends house for a birthday party. We were celebrating the 13th birthday of a talented young boy who plays the keyboard at Church. His whole family was there, except his father who is working now in Spain. The entire Church congregation crammed in two small rooms until everyone had arrived. Then we stood up, sang some songs, played some games, and ate some cake. It seemed so much more friendly and inviting. No one was left out, everyone participated together. There was no distinction of rich or poor, old or young. There weren't decorations, just a cake, but the place seemed just as lively with all the people and evidences of community.
These are the two extremes that I feel like I go between each day. Every morning I walk into school which has a beautifully manicured campus, with about 5 full time grounds-crew staff . The grass is green, the flowers that fall from the trees are swept up, the buildings are all in good condition. The people are obviously wealthy. At lunch time I have mothers and maids that come every day to feed their child. After school my kids go to their horseback riding classes, on their own horse, on their own farm. Then I walk outside the gate every afternoon where the sun is a little more intense, the ground is dry and brown and the dust won't leave you alone. The dogs are out in the streets, the kids are playing, and people are going to and from work or the market. Somehow, I feel much more comfortable outside the gates. The relationships aren't as critical, the people are very welcoming, and life is a little more realistic, it isn't a show. I guess these two birthday parties are examples of this as well. Wealth isn't everything in life. Community and relationships are much more important.
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