Tarryn and the Despedida

Goodbye Tarryn.  You will be dearly missed here in Bolivia, but we know that we will all see you again in the Great White North in no time!  I don't know how Dave and I will live without you here (or what we will eat), but we know that your family misses you.  We hope you have a great trip home.  Blessings and brotherly love, 

- Dave and Phil

Family and friends, I would like to recount to you the story of "the Despedida" which tookplace last night, but first a few thanks are required.  Dave and I would like to first off thank the Start family for loaning us their daughter (and sister) for the last four months, we have thoroughly enjoyed her companionship and we know how proud you must be of her. She has taught us so much, and we can see how much she is growing into an amazing woman of God (who can speak Castilliano too).  Also, to all of Tarryn's friends back home, thanks for letting us borrow your friend (and unlike most things we've borrowed, she will come back in better condition than she left).  We've heard numerous stories about you and I apologize in advance if you have to endure the even more stories about us!  I know Tarryn loves you all and missed you so much, thank-you all for your support along the whole way.

Now, for the story of the great despedida.  Tarryn's goodbye party (or despedida) was held last night in our friend Julio's clubhouse and todo el mundo was invited.  We were joined by 34 of the friends we have made over the last 4 months (Tarryn is now famous around the world) from Bolivia, Canada, England, and Brazil.  We started out with a time of some good socializing and fellowship; reminiscing about the past semester together.  As the seats filled in, we played a little "Cheppi-Cheppi" (also referred to in  a past blogpost) which is always a total laugh.  We then joined together in a BBQ, because no matter where you are in the world you can't meet together without eating!  After the meal we did the logical thing to do after a meal in Bolivia... we danced!  Traditional Bolivian music filled the air and we joined in dancing many different traditional dances (most of which I don't think Canadians are genetically designed for).  

After working off all the calories from the meal we were ready for some cake, but, as is custom before eating cake, we made public speeches about Tarryn and how greatly she will be missed.  Dave and I serenaded Tarryn to a lovely rendition of "Leaving on a Jetplane" and we too shared a few words about the "third musketeer" (or our bandita).  After eating cake we naively thought that the night was coming to a close (it was now nearing 11), but it was only getting started.  It wasn't long before we went inside of the patio for some cafe and before we knew it someone had found a couple guitars.  We sang worship songs in Spanish, English and Portuguese (usually in what ended up sounding like a strange re-mix actually) taking in every last moment of our time together.  It was definitely the perfect last-night-in-Bolivia to remember.  I have no doubt in my mind that neither Tarryn, nor Bolivia will ever be the same.