Loyal Dogs

As if swimming across a dangerous river wasnt enough, Salí just keeps proving his loyalty...

Most restaurants and public transportation are (suprisingly) open to dogs, so bringing Salí around hasnt been to difficult. But the other night we were going to a nicer restaurant for dinner and we decided it would be more appropriate to leave our dog, Salí, behind while we ate. We tied him up inside the gated courtyard of Dragon´s apartment, and walked the 20 minutes to the restaurant.

Just as appetizers were about to come out, we heard a commotion down stairs. Jess peered out from the railing and informed us all that Salí was running around the dining area below us. This dog not only escaped from a leash and a gate, but he followed our scent all the way to the restaurant more than an hour after we left him. Talk about a loyal dog.

Salí stole the show that night, but our dinner guest, Narda, was a close second. Narda is an activist from the northern part of the country. Mostly she works with castaña (brazil nut) harvesters, but if a good cause exists, she most likely supports it. EVERY politicion and activist in the country knows her. She is a huge personality, and she told stories with so much energy that I was completely distracted from the fact that she was wearing a hot pink sweatsuit from head-to-toe. She and Evo Morales worked together as union leaders (different unions) for many years. Perhaps my favorite story she told was about how she threw a glass of juice on President Morales during an event one time because he disappointed her! In a country where men usually have the last (often only) say in things, it was wonderful to meet such a strong, powerful woman.