Funeral Mass

So, our landlady, Maria Luisa, lives downstairs on piso tres, just lost her husband to emphezema. Because of his serious illness for so long, many family have passed through and stayed in the building during the last few months, so we have gotten to know the whole family. One of the sons lives here with family full time, piso uno. It was Maria Luisa's birthday the day after she buried her husband and they had an intimate lunch downstairs out on the back porch. The last minute, Marie Luisa decides we should be invited. Tom already had a commitment at the orphange, so I went by myself. It was embarassing to be there as it was close family and friends. 4 people got up and made speaches and there were a lot of tears. I sat by awkwardly wishing I had thought to wear black like everybody else there. To make things worse, Maria Luisa had me sit next to her. I think she was afraid I would feel excluded. Anyway, I made it through the 3 hour lunch, noticing that all the old aunts and Maria Luisa were drinking beer, so it was fine if I did too. Two days later we recieve a petite envelope with a tiny invitation to a special mass for the deceased, on the main plaza and cathedral. It was gorgeous. Her husband had been a general in the Bolivian military, so there were like 30 military men if full uniforms and regalia, about 30 more in fatiques and the church was full of well dressed Cochabambinos, all freinds of Arturo. Live music in the cathedral included "the sound of silence" in spanish and Ave Maria, acapella (incredible acoustics in the cathedral). Long recieving line for family. I just now dropped off boquets of flowers for each family and hope things won't be too tough on Maria Luisa (married to Arturo for 53 years). Families are really tight here and kids show so much love and respect for thier grandparents. Anyway, it has been cool getting to know this family and through them, more of Bolivia. (This photo of our apt. building named after grandma, Maria Luisa. Top floor apartment is ours.)