June 12, 2008

Though it’s hard to believe, our first semester is quickly coming to a close. In fact, I’ve finished lecturing my first course in Bolivia: physical hydrogeology! As I write this, our 12 students are busy taking their second module on GIS (Geographical Information Systems) applied to water resources. They’ve also been studying introductory geology, applied hydrology, and research methods. Next semester, we’ll take them out of the classroom and do our first field school at the site I visited in Oruro a few months ago.

Unfortunately, our Bolivian project director resigned from the project a few weeks ago, so I’ve been very busy working “double duty”. It’s a lot of responsibility but a really good opportunity for me to gain new experience so I’m trying to make the best of it until the USFX, our partner institution here, names our new Bolivian director. I’m grateful to our project administrator, Monica, who’s been working very hard to keep things together!Ruins: The mysterious ruins of “El Fuerte”, near Samaipata.

Fortunately, I had a wonderful weekend getaway to Eastern Bolivia with my sister Kate before she jetted back to Canada. We went to the beautiful town of Samaipata in the department of Santa Cruz, saw the amazing pre-Incan ruins of “El Fuerte”, visited an animal refuge, and enjoyed delicious food from the picturesque farms dotting the Samaipatan countryside. We were anticipating a tropical getaway of sorts but were rather rudely confronted with a “surazo”, an Argentine wind that brought chilly temperatures! Instead of lazing about in hammocks and drinking fruit juice, we lazed about by the fireplace and sipped hot chocolate… but who’s complaining?

Monkey hug: Getting cozy with a howler monkey at an animal refuge.