Museums and Galleries

This week I haven´t been up to that much, although I have had a few problems to sort out!

I sucessfully extended my visa yesterday, but then lost my cash card in the machine. The machines here give your card back last instead of first so I automatically just left after I had taken my money. I only realised all this last night after the banks had shut so I went back today to try and get it back-it was going to be a difficult enough task anyway with my limited spanish-only to discover, yes they have it, and that not only do I have a different name on my card and passport but I also have a different signature on them both, so no, they couldn´t give it me back as my passport proved me not to be the owner of the card. After half an hours span-glish, and 3 bank managers I was just about to resort to busting into an embarassing flood of tears, when my card was finally returned to me. I am going to be so careful from now on!!

On Tuesday, I went the coca museum here, which was fairly interesting, with information on all the aspects of coca here in Bolivia, from it´s spiritual and ancient roots(it is not only seen traditionally by the Aymarans as a medium through which to communicate with the Gods, but it is also a God in itself), scientific research in that chewing the leaves helps to adapt to life at high altitudes as it opens up the bronchioles in the lungs allowing more oxygen to be taken in, and also moving on to the legal and illegal drug trades. It also had a pretty good history of coca-cola, which originally contained cocaine, and was developed as a result of alcohol prohibition when the manufacturers found an alternative stimulant drink by creating cocaine based coca-cola. Of course this was also banned soon after!

Anyway the coca traditions are still well and alive today in Bolivia. You can buy the leaves on every street and while I am sure plenty of people still chew it, it is mostly taken as coca tea, which is just basically hot water poured on the leaves and left to brew. Everytime I have a stomach ache or feel unwell at all, I am quickly given a cup of it. Personally, I find paracetamol far more effective but the Bolivians use it to cure everything.

I also went to the national art gallery, which was shockingly poor for national standards, although I wasn´t really expecting much! It had a total of 3 rooms (although I also accidentally took a walk around the director´s office!) and nothing of any significance, although some of the contemporary bolivian art was alright. However it was a really beautiful colonial building, with arched levels and gorgeous stonework, so I contented myself with trying to take some good photos of the building!

That´s it really. I have been taking some photos of the kid´s at school, which was a really bad idea as they all wanted to see every picture and kept pestering me to take their photos again and again and again....and again! I had to pretend the batteries had run out! I think I am getting used to teaching; it is getting slightly easier....and I am working out how to deal with the naughty ones! ha!

Hopefully going to some ancient ruins tomorrow. Three people have given me completely different directions for bus routes, so the journey should be interesting at least!