Well this is interesting

So it's our third day in Santa Cruz. We still haven't found an apartment, kind of like Mary and Joseph (no room at the inn). We just found out that we are training a number of employees at the center tomorrow morning and all week long. We possibly have another workshop scheduled at night time while still are homeless and have not unpacked. Yesterday our manager's car broke down while we were sightseeing, so the tow truck came. And we rode in the car while on top of the tow truck bed. It was a bumpy ride. Our manager always talks about how great La Paz is and how there's nothing here that it's unsafe and uncivil. But, they caught 25 gang members in the city today so that was good. When we walked in the Employment Center this morning, our manager urged us to go inside his office. He then proceeded to tell us that the guy sitting outside was dangerous. He used to live in La Paz and held up the office with a gun and demanded $20,000. The bishop had to come and talk him out of it. Ironically, the bishop still sent him on a mission....that only lasted three months. He just comes in and sits on one of the tables for a couple of hours everyday. They think he's observing the center, but they won't kick him out. What's more, is that our manager tells us that we can't walk outside alone. There's not enough police here so yeah, welcome to the jungle.

INTERESTING FACT! Bolivia may be the only country with no McDonalds. Apparently it's too unsafe for even McDonalds here.

On the bright side, we get to get used to teaching the workshops quickly. We get to go to La Paz for Carnaval. Our manager is SUPER helpful with everything. And it's warm. We still have two beds. And we are hopeful that we'll find a REALLY good condominium with a pool and washer. And internet. We can still dream.

Cristina y Ashley