Malia Obama's Secret Trip to Bolivia! (NY Times)

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/opinion/malia-obamas-secret-trip-to-bolivia-and-peru.html?_r=0

"The Bolivian guides were convinced it was the blonde. It had to be the blonde. American Embassy officials in November had told three brothers who led guided hikes across Bolivia’s majestic Cordillera Real mountain range that they would soon be hosting an important American dignitary. When a group of teenagers and a small band of American bodyguards showed up on Nov. 24, it wasn’t apparent to the guides that it was the president’s eldest daughter, Malia Obama, and not a blond companion, who warranted the extraordinary security measures."

The blonde?

Anyway, what a wonderful opportunity for her! She seems like such a sweet kid.

[malaise]

1. Being black has advantages everywhere

We're invisible to many.

Enjoy your life Malia.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

3. Sounds like she really tried to fit in.

I would have never in a million years guessed that she went on something like this due to security concerns.

Good for her parents allowing something like this!

[malaise]

5. Remember how many times Oman himself

walked into restaurants, spoke with folk in parks etc. It's about not being afraid.
It's a wonderful asset.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

7. Are you a dad?

Fear for oneself and for one's child are two completely different things!

I remember when my first child started driving, I thought I would have to live on xanax the first few weeks.

[malaise]

10. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

malaise is female

I think our parents gave us more space than our generation and those after us gave and give their children.
We roamed the neighborhood, did stupid things, climbed trees, rode bikes without helmets, etc., etc.

I'm glad the Obamas let their kids escape from the 'Presidential life'.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

13. Yep. Did all that.

And lots more. I got a pretty bad concussion playing baseball (not softball) in the field across from our house. My brother hit a line drive right into my head. No adults around, of course. I do have to admit that my mom did freak out when she saw the lump on my head...a couple of hours later!

[malaise]

14. The sister after me used to practice the gymnastics we had at school

We'd all swing on a branch in this tree from the fence and were lucky not to hit the little concrete gutter beyond the fence but then she insisted on walking the damned fence, lost her balance and almost lost her front teeth - we still laugh at that one. We were freaking crazy.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

15. It's been fun remembering.

My brother broke his arm falling out of a fig tree while picking figs, so my parents tried to keep us out, but we were back in days later. haha

DAMN, I hadn't thought about those figs in years.

[malaise]

16. Dad's mom had this lovely guinep tree

(a sort of plum). The tree was also full of hairy worms that stung - that didn't stop us

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

17. I'm sure it didn't!

nt

[madokie]

2. A product of the family raising

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

4. Yes.

No doubt.

[malaise]

6. Absolutely

Obama must have walked and talked with ordinary citizens more than any modern president

[madokie]

8. Just thinking about what we're loosing makes my old dry eyes

well up and stream of tears pour forth

[malaise]

11. Like moving from a pleasant dream to a nightmare

[Hekate]

9. "The Bolivian guides were convinced it was the blonde. It had to be the blonde." That cracks me up.

[malaise]

12. Because it can't be

the 'black girl'

[tenorly]

18. Definitely a teachable moment, as President Obama would say.

In their defense though, keep in mind that in Latin America race and status are very closely intertwined.

Thanks to their own often racist TV programming, moreover, the more provincial, uninformed Latin Americans are often of the belief that all important and/or wealthy Americans are themselves blonde or light brunette, with no African or Native American traits.

That said, I'm glad she had a nice time. I've never known an inhospitable Bolivian - on the contrary.

[Leith]

19. Good for Her!

I think that every young person should have the opportunity to go overseas at least once. I myself lived in Japan for 3 years back in the early 80s when I was in my early 20s.

[murielm99]

20. My daughter lived and worked in Bolivia

for a while. She took college classes there, and worked in an orphanage. A short time after her undergrad education was finished, we financed a trip for her so she could visit Machu Picchu. I am glad we could do that for her.

I don't know why Malia chose Bolivia, but it is a good choice.