As usual I have these stories in reverse.  Sooooo read the story about the kitten first.

Now for the second part of,

 "The Rest of the Story"

I have had a precious little white shadow at my side for over 15 years.  The first one was Cessie and then Lexie.  They both loved me more 

than I deserved and were two of the best friends I ever had.  Anyone who has had a dog, a really special dog knows that feeling.  Somehow dogs, only see the best in us. 

So being without my constant friend down here was an adjustment.  I looked all over Cochabamba for a Maltese.  For months I have looked, finally found one in a jewelry story, beautiful male, sitting right there on the counter just like mine used to do at the gallery and the store.  Big problem, the owner said that as far as she knew it was the only Maltese in Cochabamba, she was looking for a female to breed with.  So with Carl's help we searched Bolivia, none!  Groomers and Vet.'s just said, "No Maltesa dentro Bolivia"!  

So again with Carl's help we found Evita?  She is from Buenos Aries.   From a wonderful kennel whose owner has specialized in Maltese, showing and breeding for years.  Her daddy is a grand champion and beautiful.  Her mother is also a champion and is owned by the breeder also.

Carl took care of everything and even planned a wonderful trip to Buenos Aries for us.  How lucky have I been to have a husband who loves me as much as my dogs do, he only sees the 

best in me. This South America thing has just  been way too much fun!  What a wonderful time we are having.  Really would love for ya'll (that is Texan, still have it) to come down for a visit.  It really is an interesting country with  wonderful, friendly, very diverse people.  Very different than I expected.  Can't wait to explore more of the South American countries!  When Jody and the kids come down we have some interesting trips to take with them.  Can't wait to let the kids see a whole new part of the world.  So glad we are going to be able to share the experience with them.

As you can see, Evita is just too cute and I know will love her new amigo, Tango.

   

Meet Evita, I am sure there is attitude behind that sweet face!

 This is the father, is he not beautiful!                      

OK. as usual I have to come in behind Carl and tell,
"The Rest of the Story"



First, the Kitten! We were at this wonderful Birthday Luncheon. I mean wonderful. Backyard decorated to the "T", white tents, round tables layered with multiple lavender table cloths, beautiful rose bud centerpieces, sushi appetizers, champagne toast, fillet Mignon, etc buffet, and a live band to top it off. It was great! Anyway, back to the story. I met this guest, Christina who was from Austria, she is married to a Pakistani man who travels all over the world. He is a Persian rug dealer. They live here in Bolivia and Christina had a litter of Angora kittens. Having just negotiated a Maltese puppy and a trip to Argentina to get it, I instinctively knew my negotiation skills had been used up. When we got home I mentioned how interesting my new friend Christina was and Carl, all on his own said, "I can't believe you didn't want that kitten". I then mentioned it would be nice for Evita, the name I have given my new puppy, to have a little friend to play with. What did he think? Carl then all on his own said, "Call Christina and see if she still has the kitten". Needless to say 2 hours later the kitten is exploring its new home. The pictures I think will illustrate the immediate bonding between Carl and the new kitten, whose name is "Tango". Get it, Argentina-Evita, Tango!

Here's the deal. You all know Joeline had a Maltese (Chessie) for 13 years before it died of cancer. A few months before it died, I a bought her another Maltese puppy (Lexie). We had Lexie for about 2 years before we came down here.
We had done all kinds of checking with the airlines before we were leaving the states. First they would say, NO, then yes, but it would have to ride in cargo. Then no because it was too small and might freeze in cargo. Then this, then that.
As we were sitting at the Uniform Center discussing what to do, a very good friend of Joeline's came in. She had a Maltese that she was as devoted to as Joeline had been to Chessie. Her dog had just died of old age. She was telling Joeline about it and they were both crying.
To make a long story a little shorter, Joeline gave Lexie to the lady. Not just to keep for two years, that would have been unfair. She gave Lexie to her.

So, we get down here and find that people transport dogs to and from here all the time. NO Problemo.

So now Joeline is going nuts for a Maltese. We check all over Bolivia - literally - thru newspapers, internet, etc. No Maltese for sale here. Everything from Muts to Great Pyrannese, but no Malteses.

She finds one for sale in BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA. Only a short eight hour, over a $1000 airline flight, for two, away.

So, on next Saturday we fly to BA to buy a dog!

Course, one of the places we said we wanted to visit when we got here was BA. She wants to see where EVA is buried and she wants to learn to Tango in the country where it was invented. So, I have booked us a B&B for five nights, booked Tango lessons with a professional instructor, and am having the dog owner get all the paperwork, shots, etc.

Joeline is beside herself, she can't wait. So, today she got a kitten. (don't ask!)

These three pictures are from a bar we went to last night (this morning, as nothing starts until after midnight) We took our own tape and they played it between the bands sets. Rhumba, Waltz, Swing, etc. The young couple are very good at Tango. They are supposed to come to our apt. next week to give us some lessons.

We want to get a head start before we go to Buenos Aires to learn the Tango from the place where it originated.

Joeline had a ball with everyone. They would have put her in the parade. These are at Oruro

He found a nice pillow.

Garbage. A lot of these guys lying all over the streets.

This is inside the mine

I thought I would add a few more pictures of our trip to Oruro.

The two "statues" of the devil are deep in the mine. Every one who goes by them, leaves "gifts", "offerings" whatever you call them. Well, almost everyone, Joeline and I did not. Anyway, the mine in under the church. You come out of the mine into the church and here is the alter in this huge church. A few more pictures from within the church are forthcoming.

Anyway, is this weird, or is it just me? Give offerings to devil while you are underground and then have a church up above? (Covering too many bases?)

This was a darling little girl but as ornery as she was cute!!!  Carl can fall asleep in two seconds, anywhere, anytime.  She turned this into a wonderful game (for her).  Carl would fall asleep and she would find various form of torture to wake him up.

Everywhere I turned my camera was a picture waiting to be painted.  This picture is way to light, but it is just a reminder to paint from.  This was a wonderful adobe wall, with iron grills over the windows and then sitting all alone was this wonderful strawberry plant.    You can't see the strawberries hanging from it or really appreciate the great shadow that it cast on the wall but I will be able to bring those things out more in the painting.  

This wonderful bed is well over 100 years old and probable weighs about 100 pounds.  It was  in the main house, not  the grounds keepers house whose kitchen is pictured.  Their kitchen was in what I would call a wood shed, then a lean to on their house was an open sided eating area, and then their adobe house was attached to that.  Very nice friendly people, loved getting their picture taken.  

We had an interesting Sunday.
Our school's financial manager and her husband invited us to their place in the country. We were to pick them up at 10, and I figured we would be back by 2 to play poker online with the family. (Yes, every Sunday everyone - Tomey, Jana, Jody, Bill, even Wyatt and Jordan play online poker together at a "for fun" site, no money. Wyatt is probably the best poker player of the bunch with Jody a close second)
Anyway Joeline and I picked up an 8 pack of chicken (not Sanders, I think it was Garcia's) picked up a couple liters of coke, and Joeline made a potato salad.
We get to their town house and found that there were four others going in our jeep - it seats a total of five if you really scrunch up - well, we left with six.
Luckily their country home was only about 30 minutes away.
Their property was amazing. About 6 acres covered with apple trees, Dahlias, roses, oleanders, pines, euclyptus, etc.etc. The pictures above were taken there.
Turns out there were about 20 people invited.
Just like Texas, the pit and charcoal were started immediately - but, they kept washing down the chicken and sausage with a lime and lemon concoction, no bar-b-que sauce. We hid our fried chicken away, but Joeline's potato salad was a big hit.
By the time we left at about 8P.M. everyone was pretty well loaded - OH, did I forget to mention that ShuFlys, wine, rum and tequila were served liberally. I didn't drink, as I had to drive back and Joeline never drinks, so we were the token sober people.
On arriving a small child ran up to pet the chained dog, well, they left immediately to take him to the doctor to get stiches over his eye.
Joeline spent most of her time taking pictures and "talking" to the grounds keeper and housekeeper. Their living conditions were interesting. They cook every meal outside on iron kettles, black as night, set on a rack over an open fire. Joeline watched her grind and pound meal and meat on a rock - with a rock.
Sometime during the day we learned to play the Bolivian dice game.
Of course, I took a nap in the rocking chair on the porch - but a little girl kept pulling the hairs on my leg.
Nice Day

She is fulfilled. She is complete. She is happy.

Last night the "older" couple we met in the previous blog called us and we went out with them. They directed us to this small "nightclub". We danced to recorded music, then a very attractive female singer got on stage and sang for an hour - we danced to her music. Then a band came on and we danced to their music. Then an hour of recorded South American music - we danced to it. Then the band came back, etc. At THREE A.M. I told the older couple and Joeline that I was going home, with the car. I think even they were ready to leave by then.

It is a wonderful little club. Small, decent dance floor. Very nice owners. I met the wife and talked to her for awhile, then sent Joeline to talk to her and her husband. Joeline is setting it up so that we can come to the club at 9 p.m. on Friday or Saturday night and give dance lessons to a bunch of my American teachers who have been wanting us to teach them Rhumba, Waltz, TwoStep and Swing. We'll see. Neither of us has ever tried to give lessons.

Oh, did I mention that the older couple were Professional Dancers. They are still amazing to watch dance.

We had an interesting experience last night. We were heading back to the apartment after doing a little shopping. We pass a "Scotter" store - where they sell motor scooters. All of a sudden Joeline decides she wants to be a motorcycle rider in Cochabamba, so we stop to look.
I am looking, comparing and pricing. I notice Joeline is not around - she is down the street talking to this 82 year old man and his huge white dog. (You know her and dogs, and men - they love her and she loves them)

Well, it turns out the guy and his wife were professional ballroom dancers in the states. Traveled the world putting on dance exhititions. So, naturally we had to follow him to his apartment, go up and barge in on his wife at 9:30 on a Friday night.

Beautiful older couple, very gracious and interesting. We left an hour later. At seven tonight they called and now we are getting dressed to go out with them. They say they know where we can go and listen to music and dance - no stopping Joeline now. Course as I have told you before, bars don't even open until after 10 or 11.

Let you know what happens later.

This is me (Jo) behind a Carnival mask,  

I know, it is an improvement. 

 I needed to get your attention because I need your help!

Please read below!

Sorry to use the blog for this purpose, but it seemed the best method.

Just a quick request for help!   I have had 2 email addresses for awhile now, some of you have used joeline@suddenlink.net.  That email address has been discontinued due to our move.  Bad news is that I was unable to print out the contact list for that address before it was discontinued.  Please,  if you have used that address in the past, please just send me a quick note at joelinewieburg@yahoo.com (this will by the only email address I will be using now) and I can then save you email address to that file.  My San Angelo art class people, this means you also, so please contact me so I can create a new distribution list for you.  I do want to keep in touch with you.  I have some things you might like to work on and as things unfold in regard to the Joseph Fettingis workshop I want to keep you posted.   He is booked and planning on conducting a workshop in San Angelo Oct. 12, 13 & 14.  Please contact Joy Beavins at 949-5577 for more info or to get your name on the list.  We already have 2 signed up.  I am planning on coming home for the workshop, and some visiting with my Calif. H.S. girlfriends, my brother, Jordan & Wyatt and the new baby Tomey Too, or T2 as he is being called more and more often.  If you have the email address for anyone you think I know, or you think I might know, and who wouldn't mind you sharing it with me, please send it also. 

John and Jan, I do not have your address either, please get it to me and any of our dance friends you might have also.

 Love to all, come visit anytime.  I promise you will love it.

Jo

P.S.  I promise I will get something interesting on tomorrow.

This is how I love to spend my Saturdays.  We get up a little late, go to Globlos for pancakes (have to bring our own maple syrup) they serve honey here with pancakes.  We eat out on the sidewalk under umbrellas.  Then walk on up the road to the open air market.  My favorite part are the flower vendors.  We bought a gardenia bush, actually tree.  It is taller than I am.  I am putting it on the bedroom balcony, will be lovely with the door open and that sweet gardenia smell drifting in.