Burgers, Blockades and some good, old, south american Fútbol rivalry

Fact of the day (at this rate more like week): Near the shores of the mesmerizing Lake Titicaca sits the ruins of one of the most significant civilizations in south american history. While the structures of Tiahuanacu (also known by the spanglised Tiwanaku) may seem dimitutive today, they mark the center of a major state power that is believed to have begun more than a thousand years ago. When asked where the stones that made of the walls of these once great structures have gone, our guide pointed in the distance to a rust red catholic basilica. Hey Colonialism, you ruined everything, but thanks for hamburgers and the postal service.  

Just returned from a great day trip to the ruins of Tiahuanacu that lie just an hour outside the city limits of El Alto, and we got off early enough to avoid the demonstration blockades. Oh yeah I forgot to mention, once every six seconds some one in Bolivia arranges a protest. All jokes aside, you have to admire this nation's respect for civil and political rights. Interestingly enough the only things these city wide protests seem to effect is the public transport known as minibuses, and provide plenty of footage for the local news to set to melodramatic music. Apart from the occasion firecracker for theatrical effect, many people who work in professions outside the unions simply go on about their day but might walk farther than usual, as the blockades are set up around the plazas that connect the main arteries of city traffic, making it difficult to get anywhere central. Note to parents, all is well these protests are very peaceful whatever shows up on the news!

Another great note from this week at the Hospital, Children's Day! After my emotional day in Oncology I was in my scheduled pulmonology and arrived just in time to celebrate sortof a birthday, but for everyone. With clowns, cake and plenty of toys to give away, the entire atmosphere of the hospital was transformed. The worry and stress was still there, but overlaid with such joy and real hope it is hard to describe. It didn´t hurt that many of the children in my ward were on the very tail end of their recovery from severe pnemonias, so after more than 3 weeks in bed they were ready to get up and play. In other parts of the hospital, we even got some surprise visits from the local futbol team, which I am told caused quite a rucus among children old enough to recognize them. And so the rollercoaster continues.

While many of the crew are away in Copacabana, a fellow student and I will be at 'El Classico' the highly anticipated matchup (if two people count as a representative sample) of La Paz's two futbol teams, Bolivar and The Strongest (that is really its name, you should hear with a bolivian accent). As they made the children of my hospital very happy I feel inclined to root for the underdog, the Strongest. Sneak peek: Our treacherous bike ride to Corico will take place next weekend and I can't wait!