Classic Bolivia (and Classic Goldberg)

Over the last couple of weeks emotions have been going through peaks and valleys like you read about. Going from meeting to meeting - good news followed by bad news followed by good news. The start up rollercoaster was really getting old.

However, the rollercoaster took a hilarious/interesting turn today. In typical Bolivian fashion the bid process we participated in (and lost) was declared null and void after a court battle raised by one of the other participants. Now the rural government telecenter bid is back and supposedly will be bigger than before (including more communities). This is great news, because it is exactly what I want to do. So.... here we go again - hopefully we win.

In the meantime, I also hit the lake hard (Copacabana again, Isla del Sol in the middle of Lake Titicaca and Peter's house again) which was awesome. Although the first night it was frigid cold and snowing. The following day we hiked around the island in shorts and t shirts - weather is weird this high up. The island is a taste of untainted (mostly) bolivian culture.

in other news - i continue to be a moron.

i blew up my stereo for the second time. you would not believe how confusing it is having two different power outlets (110v or 220v). you have to check everytime. i am slowly learning my lesson. i made myself feel better by getting buck in front of la paz in our public shower.

also, i went to get an extension on my tourist visa and the lady saw the previous extension and said i couldnt get another one. so i have to pay 10 b's for every day i stay past my visa expiration. i think it will end up being 15-20 days which is not a huge deal. of course i got all fired up and made a little scene at the desk. (just wanted to give the other tourists something entertaining while they waited in line.)

in my argument i also said something about how i was doing volunteer work and needed only 2 more weeks, trying to get some sympathy. bad choice. she went and got the jefe. because i said the word work - i was in big trouble. they stamped a bunch of stuff on my passport and said i would have to do all this paper work. i told em that i wasnt getting paid and the company didnt have any money and i was leaving in two weeks. so she gave me the passport back and i got out of there - feeling beaten and with everyone in line giggling at my display of Americanism.

plan for the weekend - ice climbing

16 days left in La Paz for those still planning a visit (like thats gonna happen)

btw - if anyone knows of good people to talk to in dc, chicago or san francisco working in the development world (ngos, microfinance, international institutions, etc.) i would love some connections. I am tryign to set up meetings in the states for when i get home to bounce some ideas around - not really looking for interviews just conversations.