Message from Donald

Hey Cuz,

Hope you are enjoying it there.. would like to be there with you...think I would like it..especially the furniture factory tour.

Thought you might like to see what other people eat..

I follow your blog and that is a good idea... I just have a hard time trying to send something on it... the damn "Bolivia Mafia Boss" keeps making me change my message.

Take care and will watch for your posts.

Don

Apartment

Here is an outside view of the apartment. Theirs is the 6th one from the top on the left. Right below the balcony that is enclosed. Actually, the owner is going to enclose that balcony for mom and dad. They will still have 2 other great balconies. I can't get over how green it is and it is WINTER.





Dad was supposed to get the keys yesterday so hopefully his is out of the hotel. As nice as it was, know that was getting old. Mom is really excited about living in an apartment. They never have before and it will be a totally different experience. Plus it will be easier for them to meet people, because you know they are so shy. :)

First Apartment fell through

Well got an email from dad the morning and the apartment did not work out. But, of course, everything has a happy ending. Dad found another one... this one with three balconies and BEAUTIFUL views. 1900 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, maids quarters (mom says that is where I will stay- what is she saying?)
This apartment is closer to shopping and restaurants. So all is well. Here are the pics. of their apartment.






Dad is negotiating new furniture.



Told you the view was amazing! And they have 3 of these HUGE balconies.


I love all the beautiful wood.

Went apt. hunting after 3 with Robert. I found the perfect one. 2700 sq.ft. the entire 5th floor of a 6 floor brand new building. Will be completely furnished although the furniture hasn't been delivered yet. We have a prive entrance to an underground garage with electronic gate. From there we get into our own private elevator that opens into our kitchen area. Large rooms, great views, private bath in all four bedrooms. Just what Joeline and I need. I can hide from her for a week at a time.
But what sold the place to Joeline is the fact that the bottom floor houses a shoe store, immediatley across the street is a bakery and restaurant and two doors down is a jewelry store. All the comforts of home.
I think Jody is posting pictures, I'm too tired .
Carl

Forbes Traveler top 10 Landscapes

So I was surfing and msn had an article from Forbes Travler about the top 10 most amazing landscapes in the WORLD. And dad, one is in Bolivia and not far from you!

here is what they say:

There are beautiful landscapes, and then there are unique landscapes — instantly recognizable views that are found nowhere else in the world. This planet has more than 57 million square miles of land, shaped by geological forces and the weather. The terraforming tools are the standard set: uplift, faulting, folding, wind, water, rain, ice. The truly unique situations come about, however, from geological outliers — like the drying up of the giant prehistoric Lake Minchin to form the world’s largest salt flat in Uyuni, Bolivia, at 12,000 feet. Unique landscapes can be some of the most compelling reasons to take a trip; by their very nature, they provide views and experiences you can’t find anywhere else.

With 4,000 square miles and 10 billion tons of salt, the Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. Hills in the distance appear to float, the horizon acting as a giant mirror. Tourists roam its crystalline expanse in jeeps, taking pictures of themselves getting squished by a friend’s giant foot or popping out of a Coca-Cola bottle, using the featureless flats like a blue screen set. The best time to visit is between March and May when the flats are free of water but are not yet freezing. Tours are one or three days long; try to find a group of people you like, since you’ll be six people in the back of a jeep. Book tours in La Paz or Uyuni itself; they’re all the same.

How cool is that!! Can't wait to go.

JODY

It's hard to put into words how completely lost I am down here, so let me tell you of this morning's "shopping".
I need quite a few things, as you can imagine, so I went to the front desk of the hotel, where again no one speaks English, and tried to explain to the guy that I needed a taxi to take me to a big, Grande, Department Store. Evidently somewhere in my explanation I mentioned furniture, big mistake on my part.
We walk out the hotel and he explains to a taxi driver where I want to go. The taxi driver drives for 30 minutes, main roads, back streets, over a mountain, etc. Finally stops in the middle of this alley and points to the right. He says in broken English "Very, very dangerous, no speaka to anyone." and drives off. This is a hugh city of over a million people, and I swear one Gringo.
I start walking and come to a row of furniture "factories". That's it, nothing but people making furniture. I am in like South Chicago, or South L.A., far worse than the Jewlry District in L.A., Joeline.
I start walking. I have no idea where I am, or where I am going, but my feet have always gotten me out of trouble so I just gave them the lead and we headed off.
Two hours later, by some miracle, I came to the street my hotel was on - didn't know the name of the street of course, but I walked past my hotel and then recognized it.
Course the fear suddenly was replaced by hunger and my good old feet said "enough, I gotta rest"
So I sat down at a sidewalk restaurant.
I know enough to order Un Coka.
The waiter said jkljlkjlkjjkjjjj;ljkj,
so I said my usual, No Comprende Espanol
To which he asked j;lkjlkj;lkj;kjj;ljjj
So I said Si
He brought me out a palm said, Hey, my spanish is not so bad.
Then he brought me out some sort of soup. No idea what it was - Well, I do know it was not Octupus Eye Soup, because I ate that in Nam and this was not it. This wasn't that good.
Then he showed me five items on a hand written menu. I looked for carne (meat) and pollo (chicken), but seeing neither I just pointed to one of the five.
Have no idea what it was either, but it wasn't bad, lot of potatoes and rice.
When does school start? I am in my element there, I am at home on any campus, but this big city is "eating my lunch".
Carl

Lunch the Bovlian way

Dad keeps going on and on about the food. What an amazing restaurant. He met with people from school here today. Looks wonderful. I am going to have to go on a major diet BEFORE I go down there.

Jody

Latest Pic from dad

This place really looks amazing. AND it is winter time. Can you imagine what it will look like in the spring (Jan.- that is just strange to say)

Love everyone

Jody

OK, I'm on my third day and still no luggage. Luckily I thought to pack a change of clothes in my carry on (or someone told me to, I can't remember). Anyway, my blanco shirt is more negro now. And, tonight I have to go to dinner with the entire school board.
I did shower!
I still haven't figured out the picture/dialogue thing for this blog.
These are pictures of the school, and remember it is winter here (77 today) so the trees are bare.
Very nice school.
I'll post more of the ones I took today after I get back from eating with the board. I'm not sure if I was told the board was having me out to dinner, or having me for dinner, guess I will find out.
DAT

Cookies

Jordan and Wyatt sent Dat a box of cookies and they sent them to his school. When they sent me a reciept of the order they included this picture of him getting the cookies. Thought you would like to see it.

Notice the coat? He is cold. I had to talk him into taking that coat. He did not want to carry it. Daughter always knows best!!

BTW his luggage has not arrived yet. Poor guy.

Looking out of the hotel

GOOD MORNING COCHABAMBA

That is my Robin Williams impersonation.
Jody said I had to write something as soon as I got here and I do what my little girl says.

She says the Lord has guided us here. I don't know about that, he doesn't talk to me personally, haven't seen any burning bushes, etc., but this all came about as if it was planned by an authority much bigger than mine.

Within a week and a half I got the job, got a passport (it came in 5 days and was supposed to take 6 weeks), got a visa from the Bolivian 'Embassy in Houston, got airline tickets, and got here. Joeline and I put in for our passports at the same time and her's still has not arrived.

I couldn't figure out this blog thing in a week and a half, Jody had to set this up.
While I was typing this I got an email from Bridget. She says she's Nita's daughter but that's not possible as Nita is younger than me so I know she can't have a daughter in Korea. Probably some imposter.

Anyway, I am here. I go out to my school at 9. I will not be wasting your time with useless talk like this. I will write when I have something to say, but Jody made me do it this time.

Robert Pero picked me up at the airport. He is the acting director until I arrived. The first thing he asked was "Were are your golf clubs" Now this guy, I'm going to like. Thinks like Bill and me.

Love to all
Carl

New School Website

http://www.ccs.edu.bo/

Dad on his way

Well dad left this morning from San Angelo. He goes to Dallas, Miami, and then Santa Cruz, Bolivia,

then on to Cochabamba. It was a pretty rough morning but am glad he is on his way and we can start the count down until he returns. The kids are going to have a rough time. They love their Dat. I posted more at www.watersfamilytexas.blogspot.com

but thought I would add something here until dad gets there and starts blogging himself. I know he appreciated all the calls and people who stopped by over the last couple of days. We are so blessed with great friends and family.

Mom is ok. Jordan is spending the night with her tonight.

Dad saying Goodbye

This is my new shopping mall!!!!