Well, it has been a long time since we posted anything, but that doesn't mean we don't love each and every one of you! We have been very busy, and haven't had access to the internet! We have gotten semi settled into our apartment, and have even been adopted by the neighbor's dog "Choco." 
We have done a LOT of bird spotting, flower sniffing, and picture taking. So much in fact, that I am going to have to post the pictures in a few days when I hopefully have my computer back up to speed. It is currently dead. We have been busy, but we have also had fun. We just celebrated La Paz' Independence. That is the name of the district we live in. Traditional dress, traditional music, traditional drink, all added to a wondrous event! Susan and I will be in shape sooner rather than later as I don't remember the hill being as steep or as long as it currently is! I think they used a road stretcher on it or something! 
Enough from me. Now I turn the blog over to Delaney, so you don't think we traded her for 4 llamas, a pig, and 2 chickens! (It was tempting!)
God's Peace,
Jeff

'Kay, so Dad talked about La Paz's Independence Day, and celebrating that, but the funny thing is the date that it was on. Hmmm.... what else happened on July 16th? Oh, that's right, my fifteenth birthday! Dad had loads of fun with it, proclaiming to every wide-eyed Bolivian that "all of La Paz is celebrating her birthday!" I found it slightly amusing, but not quite as hilarious as he seemed to think... That was the funny part. The most amazing thing that I have seen here is mostly the countryside, as it is gorgeous! The trees are large, green, and full of life, and the flowers are as vibrant as you could think! The birds are colorful, and often quite loud, with loud whistles and cackles, and sometimes what could pass for giggles. The first time we went down the hill to the lower campus, we had a follower. We suspect that it was a monkey that went crashing through the trees behind us, but we aren't quite sure. It's sure very fascinating here!

Delaney :)

Hi everyone, I'll be brief because I am very tired. :) Our first week here has been eventful, what with such firsts as the first night in our (2-bedroom!!) apartment, shopping for food and other necessities in Coroico, a trip back to La Paz today -- a faculty meeting for me and then more visa business in the morning before we head back to Carmen Pampa for a BBQ with the staff and some students. This week's keywords: ARRIBA and ABAJO. We live ARRIBA, which is the upper campus. The Guest House and the fiestas this week are both ABAJO. After a couple of long trudges up and down, I am quite familiar with ARRIBA and ABAJO!

I am excited to meet students and get started teaching soon. Today I met my colleagues on the faculty, and I was pleasantly surprised at how many of them were female. Mighty mujeres!!

More to come as we get our Internet working ARRIBA in the next few days. We miss you all!

Susan