It was nearly twenty years ago that Martha Luz and I decided to move to Bolivia. Twenty years ago that we embarked on one of the finest experiences of our lives, both personal and professional.
From the very first weeks of our arrival in August of 1994 we were welcomed into the homes of many families, an embrace that led to some of our closest and most enduring friendships - in good times and in bad.
Martha Luz studied psychology at the Universidad Católica, was a leader of the Wives’ Association of the diplomatic community - and my partner. Without her, I never would have had that experience.
Andrea would become a member of the Caporales de San Simón and participate in the carnival in Oruro, at an altitude of over 3,700 meters, dancing for hours in high heels on cobble stone streets - one night for the people, one night for the Virgen de Socavón. She would go on to graduate from the Calvert School and then reintegrate herself back into her native United States with a third language, a commitment to service, the courage and curiosity to continue to explore, and a sharp sensibility for other cultures.
Chris was the master of ceremonies, the leader of the band, the one who drew crowds of young teens to our home, sometimes in good fun, sometimes with less fortunate results. On a recent visit to Bolivia, I met some of those young people, now in their early 30’s, and a couple of them remembered fondly our hospitality and apologized for some of their excesses. But it’s okay. Chris was beginning to define himself as a man fiercely loyal to his friends.
Jonny grew into his early teens learning how to choose his friends, feel comfortable in the privacy and freedom of his own world, and discover his love of Bolivia. After one year of studying at a private school on the Big Island of Hawaii, he realized that he preferred La Paz, and was very happy to return home.
I had the privilege of working with officials of the government, civil servants - some of whom would become good friends - honorable men and women who were engaged in important social and economic reforms. It was those reforms - and the mountains of Bolivia - that drew me to the country after having served as IDB Representative in Brazil.
On the personal side, I was delighted to be included in the tennis group at the Mallasilla Golf Club, where I spent many a weekend and was treated with enough benevolence as to allow me to occasionally win. And I climbed Illimani, gasping and clawing my way to the top with the support of my partners.
Those were very good times.
