We have been having several more QBEs. For those of you new to our blog, a QBE is a "Quintessentially Bolivian Experience."

First, we have been placed into the rotation for locking the dorms at 11 each night, and then unlocking them at 6 in the morning. I got my first experience with this a week ago Friday. We had been having a fairly quiet evening at home, punctuated with minivan "bus" horns letting us know when people were coming and going, and when there were seats left on the bus. Around 8ish, there started a fairly loud commotion on the other side of the wall, which is one of the guys dorms. We aren't supposed to interfere unless we think someone is hurt, or smell smoke. :) When 11 finally came around, I went on my rounds. When I got to the 3rd floor, I checked each room, saving the loud room for last. When I knocked, the door opened to reveal about 20 young men playing a bodily game of Uno. (or maybe they call it "One" here?) Each time someone would lay down a card, everyone would cheer like a soccer (futbol) goal had just been scored. Some would be happy, other would boo and attempt to tackle some of those cheering. When  I told them that they needed to quiet down, you would have thought I had just whipped a puppy in front of them. I explained that families lived on the other side of that wall, and they finally, begrudgingly, went off to their bunks and went to bed. Susan's first experience only showed her a bunch of young ladies studying for a test. Not nearly as fun as mine!

Some people have asked for daily schedules, apartment details, and of course more stories! I will post my schedule first and then let Susan and Delaney post their own with a story or 2 thrown in.

I get up around 6 each morning, and report for work at 7. I have coffee (of course) before, to lift the fog from my mind, if not the clouds from around our apartment. I work until around 8:30, when we take a break. At 9, we continue work until 12. We take a 2 hour lunch, then back at it again until 6 pm. It makes for a long day when I get distracted with a project and miss the break, sometimes even working straight thru lunch. I try not to do that too often, as the food here is incredible! I do this usually Monday thru Friday, with an occasional Saturday thrown in. I have been a continual source of discussion among the others. I continue to amaze them when I construct things like our clothes line. My first attempt failed, due to a deterioration in one of my bamboo pieces, it failed, end of that story. My 2nd attempt has so far been a BIG success. We now have 70 feet of clothes drying pleasure! I did reuse some of the original attempt, but only after thoroughly inspecting each piece. I believe that Susan is posting pictures, and I think there is one of my apparatus. I will turn the computer over to Susan now, but don't worry. Many more stories of QBEs will be coming!

La paz y amor,

Jeff