So, the other night these marvelous nuns and their accompanying Nunnettes brought me to Tarija’s ExpoSur – a county fair – type of event. All sorts of businesses and organizations come to chow off their projects/products – from Argentina or Paraguay to Bolivia. There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to who or why one sets up a tent – few are actually selling their products – but it certainly makes for a lively ½ mile walk!!
Dona Hilda, one of my English students and the head of the vocational school. She has a stand (check out the picture) where she promotes the products her students & folks from a community over the rainbow and if she’s lucky – sells a bit. And on the other hand, few of you will be surprised that my beloved Mob is involved.
Petero, the youngest Antelo son (my amazing host family), has clearly inherited his share of the family’s impressive entrepreneurial spirit. Oh yes, that’s right, Petoro and a few of his friends have set up a Discotheque at ExpoSur. This festival continues for about 3 weeks and is the best thing going in town; the young, the old, and the even the Nuns don’t want to miss out. If you want to dance & drink you only have to pay Petoro and his friends to into their tent and party!!
And why on earth not? Unfortunately, the creative industriousness and entrepreneurial spirit we take so for granted at home is truly a diamond in the rough down here. It’s actually pretty refreshing to see people trying to creatively make some money – that’s extremely rare down here. I’m afraid that’s one of the many setbacks of this crawling economy. Sure in principle this economy is based on capitalism – but the incentives we’re all used to – namely monetary – don’t really work the way we’re used to. The majority of folks that become affluent do so through political corruption – it’s not really a pretty sight.
In anycase, one of the biggest “draws” to Expo Sur is the music. All sorts of famous Bolivian artists are invited. As the nun-wagon pulled up last night, we were greeted by none other than the eternal classic “I want to rock you all night long” by ______.
Oh, & just so you know, you’ve really never truly partied if you’ve never lived it up with Bolivian Nuns!! They were still dancing and clapping away at 2:30 in the morning!! The Nun-wagon dropped us off in San Lorenzo about 3AM and I was honestly all partied out – so much for all that training in college!! . . . You know it’s bad when you can’t even keep up with the Nuns!
Obviously partying with the nuns is NOT an experience you should be passing up – but luckily for you – I’m here for another 20 months to offer you just such an exclusive opportunity!
Only for a limited time !! Hurry !!
Besos,
La Sarita
