BOLIVIA BASICS

Peace Corps: Our group is the 45th Peace Corps group in Bolivia (B45!). My project is Basic Sanitation ( Public health, Bathrooms, Water, Trash…) The other half of the group is training for Integrated Education (Health, Education, Gardens…) There are 28 of us; 3 married couples, average age 26, 2/3 females, 1/3 males.

TRAINING:
3 months in total in the Cochabamba region, before going to our sites. We have now completed 5 weeks of training. Training consists of language classes in the mornings. I am with 2 other girls, Anna S. and Sarah N. We switch off having classes at each others houses. Then we have technical training in the afternoons, where we practice things like building banos, water pumps, filtration systems, and learn how to communicate with local water committees...

CLIMATE:
The Cochabamba valley has a nice climate. It is winter now, and the nights and mornings are cold (even freezing some nights), but the days are hot (getting up past 26 C).

TRANSPORTATION:
Micros, are small colorful buses.
Trufis, are white minivans.
Taxis, are taxis.

COST OF LIVING: 8 Bolivianos= 1 US Dollar. In comparison to the US things are CHEAP here, but not when you are making US $2 a day. When we actually enter service, we will make more money, at least enough to pay rent, buy food, basic needs and a little extra. Given the amount we are making right now, a Boliano and dollar are pretty equivalent in my mind, somethings though are surprisingly different.

.5Bs= Small Chocolate milk or Yogurt in a bag
1B=6 mandarinas
1B=1 soda
1B=1 cheese empanada
1B= 6 fresh rolls
2Bs= 2 rolls TP
3Bs= 25 bananas
6Bs= M &Ms or Toblerone
10 Bs= Huari Cerveza
20 Bs= Dinner out
15-30Bs= Box of Cereal