Hola! from Bolivia (Where Emma is).

Wow, what an experience. I can't put into words how awesome I feel to have been a part of this program and my job at "Educar es Fiesta." The people I've met here in Bolivia will stay with me forever. They were part of my life at one of its most pivotal moments and influenced me so much. As this is in English, chances are they will never read this but a shout-out is warranted nevertheless -

First, my boss Edson "Queso" Quezada for founding such a wonderful organization 8 years (mas o menos) ago. During my three months here, I have seen a world of good, hard-working people changing the world. Never anything less - an impressive feat. So gracias, Queso!

Second, to Gris, Jime, Nicole, Saraid, Alejandra, Hernan, Danilo, Favi, Daniella, Vivi, Edwin, Willmer and Benjo for never ceasing to amaze me with the good in their hearts. Wonderful people all. Working with them was a dream first job, though the hours were murderous. Their dedication and energy was inspiring - a model for living that I will never forget. Les quiero!

Third, to Teresa and Ceci for being my adoptive mothers and good friends. Forgetting their love and care will be impossible. If I am taking part of their souls with me, then they for sure have part of mine. It is so hard to leave!

Fourth, to Bruno and my kids (that I worked with) for teaching me patience, love and acceptance. For cheering me up, for listening to me, for sharing their lives, for smiling, for laughing (not for jumping on me, Jose!), for playing with me, for knocking over my domino tower (yes you, Ronaldo!), for being excited, for making me special, for letting me love them. I wish them all the best life has to offer and will miss them muchisimo!

Finally, to Bolivia. For opening my eyes and welcoming me. I will miss the culture and the food. The FOOD - saltenas (pastry with the ingredients of meat, egg and delicious inside), mandarinas (an awesome slightly acidic fruit that I adore), tucumanas (sort of like saltenas but served cold) and more mandarinas. This country is underrated; it has everything (except an ocean border, darn Chileans).

Leaving is one of the hardest things that I have ever done. Many thanks to Carpe Diem for helping me find a place that I feel so connected to and in love with. Someday, I want to return to this second family I have found. In the meantime, I anticipate frequent email communication and know that this love can cross the distance.

For now though, it is off to Chile for me! I am meeting my mother there and am really excited to travel with her.

I hope everyone else in Latitudes had a rich experience as well. Good luck to all!

~Emma

I have fallen so in love with Ecuador. The farm I work on in the Rio Muchacho river valley as well as the places I visit on weekends or when I have time off. The seasons are changing now so we are making over the garden, preparing seed beds and planting lots of new things. It is so satisfying to see the tiny little budding leaves of the seeds you planted a couple days earlier. How a sesame can go on to make thousands of itself is so amazing. I love to see the little sweet red peppers I harvested in the morning used in the salsa we eat at lunch. The Rio Muchacho school is a great place to get to know the kids of the community. I have been teaching English two mornings a week, It is exhausting but satidfying work. I am more tired after trying to keep the energy and attention of a group of kids in an outdoor classroom than I am after working in reforestation or making cement. It is so nice to enter the class and ask what day it is and hear the class say together Today is Thursday! when only a week before this was so difficult for them to learn. To see familar faces because in this small community I work with some of their uncles or fathers, their cousins are married to somebodys sister. The roots are so deep, the connections impossible to map out. On the weekends there is a little time to travel, so I have been going to other places for a few days of relaxation and sitting on the beach or to hike to see certain reforestation projects. I spent last week on a short vacation to another farm a couple hours inland. It was great to see the differences between the farm I am working on now and how they do it somewhere else. There were also howler monkeys and sloths in the trees above us, which was almost worth the mosquitoes munching on my entire body day and night, including the soles of my feet. I think my irrational fears of spiders and insect will be gone when I return home and the spiders change to normal sizes. the ones here that are the size of my hand only make me feel a little on edge now when I used to cry and scream and just generally panic. I think traveling can make us all a bit tougher in different ways. I have fallen so in love with this place that it hurts to think about leaving, I have caught the travel bug bad and I definitely want to explore the rest of South America. But I guess college is next on my list...ugh, the transition from this ropical heaven will be tough. Buena Suerte to the rest of the Latitudes crew!

From Rachael Smith at the Rio Muchacho Farm in Ecuador

Desde Cusco!

Hola! This is Alexa writing from the beautiful city of Cusco, Peru!

Cusco is one of the most beautiful and most incredible cities I have ever been to. They call it the naval of the world because it's a spiritual epicenter. There are so many things going on in this city and so many things to do. It has quickly become home to me, and the healing house as quickly become my second family. What I have been doing here for the last 3 months is studying yoga, reiki, and meditation. We have meditation every monday at 6 and have yoga everyday of the week. On thursday mornings we take a hike up to the moon temple and do yoga up there. I got my reiki certification in March and have been practicing it ever since. For those of you who don't know what reiki is it's energetic healing. This week I am studying Tarot and I am super siked!

My parents came to visit last week and we visited Machu Picchu. It was beautiful and absolutely inspiring. So for now that is basically my life. Here are some photos!

- Alexa

Carnaval, Kids, and Cochabamba: Emma Syth

This is Emma checking in from Cochabamba, Bolivia. The city is great and really welcoming and beautiful. Definitely what I would consider a great place to live.

I work at a school called "Educar es fiesta" (To educate is a party) thatworks in a couple locations in the slum-like outskirts of Cochabamba. The program is really great and the people who work there are phenomenal. They are hilarious as well as caring. The kids are really responsible and willing to help with anything. With about 50 at eachlocation, I have my work cut out for me to memorize all their names. I am currently optimistic and making

progress! My coworkers are helping me, for which I will be eternally grateful. They are also exposing me to local traditions as well as international ones.

For instance, last weekend was the beginning of Carnaval (like Mardi Gras). The Thursday before this MASSIVE holiday is called Comadres in honor of the women. My male coworkers dressed up in skirts, dresses and wigs and sang a song about us women that was equal parts hilarious and touching.

The office (for the two schools and circus - yes, circus - involved) really went all out for the holiday. We decorated the whole place with serpintinas (ribbons) and balloons that we strung up all over the building - and the trufi (like a bus). It was all kinds of fun and great bonding. After we finished, we all walked up a few blocks to where the circus is located to decorate it as well. It was my first time up there. (My assessment: a really cool place. My work really walks their walk about believing in connecting art with life.)

My boss then proceeded to spray us all with beer (most of it ended up on the ground as an offering to Mother Earth, another important tradition of Carnival). Thus, the day downgraded into an all out water fight. I ended up with one jean leg completely waterlogged... which was unfortunate because I needed to take a bus later that afternoon to Oruro - Bolivia's "in" spot for Carnaval. For one weekend, all of Bolivia turns their eyes to Oruro. Why? To see the huge array of colorful costumes - from traditionally clothed dancers to bears with giant bat ears to devils with fire coming out of their heads. I even saw dancers dance through a wall of fire! It was the longest, craziest parade that I have ever seen. Actually, it may have been the most people that I have ever seen in one place. The streets were filled to the bursting all day and night long with people in ponchos. It did not take me long to figure out why - I got an earful of foam/shaving cream that everyone was spraying around. There were even guys who would throw water balloons at the unsuspecting. Needless to say, I wasted no time getting a poncho.

Between Carnival and my job, life here has been a party so far!

Hello and welcome to the Latitudes blog! This is a space for you all to share stories from your internships with each other, your families, and the Carpe Diem family. Our first post is from Alex Wentworth, who is interning with Casa de los Angeles in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She is working at a daycare center for children of single moms.

Hi, my name is Alex and I am in Mexico, in San Miguel!! I am working with two years olds and I have 10 children in my classroom, plus on boy with down syndrome. My journey was hard, I cried every night in the first week and I wanted to go home. I did not know anybody, it was scary. What I did to get through it was talk to people and think about why I am here. I am so glad that I stayed because I love my students. They make my day!! I can't believe I've been here for a month, where did the time go? I know I am changing these kids lives, and helping the teacher is a big thing. If you have a hard time for the first week it is normal. I hope the rest of you guys have fun wherever you are around the world!!