We had to hike back to town with empty tummies but the real tragedy is, we wasted a perfectly good cucumber.

(and don't worry, we didn't steal it, Jeff left a dollar on the farmer's work bench as we left) 

Want to see your boys (plus another boy) ((plus Stacy)) doing their thing in La Paz, Bolivia? 

Check out this little video I slapped together using the trusty GoPro - may it rest in peace - on one of our first days in country. 

Enjoy!

Drew

Jeff here. 2012 has arrived. Generally when the new year comes around I'm just grateful that I've managed to go another twelve months without being mauled by a mule deer.

This new year is different. I (and Drew and Stacy and a bunch of Bolivian kids) get to look back at 2011 with fond memories and a big smile. We did something very cool and very special and assuming we can get past the pesky hurdles of creativity and logistics, we'll even be able to prove it when we manage to get our production out from the editing bay. 

The project succeeded beyond what we'd hoped and the experience can hardly be described without resorting to hyperbole and overwrought exclamation marks. So I'll leave it at this:

Thank you. Thank you for giving us something to be proud of and Happy New Year.

A few days after we got back from Bolivia I (hi, this is Jeff...) spoke at TEDx Brisbane about the project as a whole and specifically the past month spent in Bolivia thanks to you kind folks.

http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDx-Brisbane-2011-Jeff-Waldman

-Jeff

Hey friends - 

As I sit and wait for all these video files to render out (for those not accustomed to editing lingo, rendering is an endless process of watching a little blue bar slowly tick so the video is usable) I decided to post a quick update. 

First off, we have some incredible footage. I don't know what Stacy was doing with that camera while we were running around hanging swings, but she did it well. There are some shots/places in this footage that definitely were not that pretty when we were there. In fact, you all should probably go to her website and tell her how good of a job she did, she's sick of hearing it from us.

Second, I'm still in the phase of just watching all the footage (and trust me, there is a ton of it) to see what we have. Once I start pulling out some choice scenes and moments maybe we'll put up another little sneak peak for you guys... beware though, your cute-o-meter is going to go bounce off the charts so be prepared. 

What else? Jeff loved Bolivia so much he's considering moving back there. I'm not even kidding. If it weren't for getting this movie edited I would be right there with him. 

Bolivia's Day of Skulls just passed as well, which if you haven't heard about it you should check it out, http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/day-skulls-bolivians-skulls-cemetery-14910164#.TsGQUoBCtmA - it's like if Tim Burton got to run Halloween, and there was a prop department. 

Back to editing. Go outside and randomly do something nice for a stranger, I promise it will make you feel good. 

Drew

From my blog:

I spoke at TEDx Brisbane  a couple weekends ago. Having just come back from Bolivia days prior Drew and I were eager to show someone-- anyone-- a taste of our footage and our trip. So in the bit of downtime we had between Bolivia and Brisbane we cut together a 3 minute reel to air at the end of my talk. 

We're currently in the process of editing our full length documentary and this can't be considered a trailer for that release. This clip doesn't begin to speak of our dialogue, the depths of our emotions, or the ups and downs we endured on our month long journey. The trials and tests we endured and the experiences we shared are nothing to be trivialized and it really pains me to be unable to share them for what will probably be many, many months.

But hey, there's only so much you can show in 3 minutes of dialogue-less video that you cut together in 3 days. 

We'll have a real movie eventually. But for now, a few minutes of gorgeous footage, shot so beautifully by the very talented Stacy Keck and edited by the slightly less talented, but none-the-less charming, Andrew Hartley.

One thing to note: you see a lot of existing playgrounds in this footage. They were there when we got there, but without swings in them. We found them all over the country. And in not a single one of them did we find swings. They'd all been cut out years ago. One woman said that she'd never seen swings there as long as she'd lived there, which was over 20 years. So a constant theme for us became installing new swings in the old playgrounds and swingsets that we'd find in each town. Very unexpected but so incredibly rewarding and instantly gratifying. 

Thank you, all of you, for allowing us the privilege of this experience. 

Edit: Open up the video and select the 1080p High Def version on the bottom right corner and let it load. We didn't spend all that time shooting it with our cameras set to "gorgeous" for no reason.

I didn't sleep well the other night, and I had a good reason.  Stacy, Drew, and Jeff had left the Yungas and were heading back to La Paz by bus on a dangerous road.  Oh, what's the road known as?  Death Road.  And how dangerous is it, you ask?  Ohhh, just the most dangerous, ranked at number one.  in. the. entire. world.

Thanks to a careful bus driver and my anxiety vibrations (What if they lost the footage?!  I mean, what if something happened to them?), they made it back to La Paz--and what a trip they had.  They trekked in the Yungas for most of the week, visiting the towns of Chulumani (home to the largest Afro-Bolivian community), Ocobaya (which was so desolate that Drew described it as a "one horse town, but I think they shot the horse..."), and Irupana. 

As if a tour on Death Road wasn't enough, the team also got caught in terrible rain in Chicaloma and had to seek shelter under a gazebo with a bunch of local kids. They had materials in hand (see where I'm going here?). When the rain ended, that gazebo had a swing on it that allowed the kids to have fun during the storm.  

The gazebo swing was one of many.  In Irupana, they repaired a playground, turning it from scrap metal to working swing sets.  Supposedly the whole event caused quite a ruckus, catching the attention of the neighborhood.  A local mom organized all the kids who chanted "muchas gracias Jeff y Drew"...or versions of "Jeff" and "Drew" I guess.  Very cute.  Go Yeff and Rew!  Aaaand Stacy!

Suffice to say the trip is ending on a high note.  They hung all the swings for the Kickstarter donors, plus many many more.  In 30 days, they took only two days off.  That hard work meant more traveling, more swings, and more happy kids.  Now, armed with a whole lot of footage and a hankering for potato-less dishes, the team is ready to come home.   I'm endlessly proud of them.  Going to Bolivia was a tiny idea that turned into quite an adventure.  Stay tuned for more posts from the filmmakers themselves--I'm sure there are more stories to tell. 

Drew and Jeff, I'll be waiting for you at the airport with two juicy American hamburgers. 

Signing off,

Molly

Dear Kickstarter Supporters,

Just six days left until the team flies out of La Paz and back to Los Estados Unidos.  They’ve seen a lot in the past three weeks.  They’ve been to the highlands and lowlands, seen mountains and jungles, hung swings over pavement and over rivers, eaten fresh fruit and fresh piranha…and I could go on.  All in all, really cool stuff.

The Amazon trip was a resounding success.  The team spent five days in the Basin, traveling through Rurrenabaque, Buena Ventura, Santa Rosa, and deep into the jungle by canoe.   Oh, and it was hot—hot enough that they almost fried their equipment.   The heat may have also induced delusion, because I’m pretty sure there’s a picture of Drew swimming in waters infested with caymans and piranhas.  Clearly he hasn’t seen “Piranha,” the hit horror movie of both 1978 and 2010 (tagline: “there’s something in the water”).    

All in all they hung about 20 swings, varying from a late-night mission to a park (where they spent an hour giving kids the biggest push of their lives), to hanging rope over the river Beni.  They even made a few house calls, hanging swings in individual homes by the request of some parents. 

So who exactly is using the swings?  Here in California it was mostly adults hopping on.  In Bolivia, it’s much younger children.  Jeff said, “The last time anyone here was on a swing they were nine, and by 12 they were working. We're asking them to return to a childhood that never existed. “  Definitely sad, but wonderful that little kids have been able to use either a repaired playground or an entirely new one. 

If all goes to plan, the team is heading back to the Yungas today, then to La Paz, then home.  Although they’ll soon be leaving behind their beloved Ketchup Picante, mystery foods, and crossing guards dressed as zebras (I guess they wear the costume to match the stripes of the crosswalk?), there’s still plenty of time for more swinging, filming, and adventure.   Look out for another update (perhaps my last) next week.  In the mean time, go to http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwopBXy to see Stacy's amazing pictures from their first week in the country.

-Molly-

Quick update--this just in:

I received a call from the Amazon!  It was quite a juxtaposition: me speaking from a stale shopping mall, Jeff and the team amongst tucans and wild monkeys.  Which would you choose?

It seems like they had an incredible day filled with exploring, tree climbing, possum-killing (they didn't do it! But a six year old girl did), and taking in nature.  NINE swings went up (impressive, right?).  Best of all, they were able to interact with locals all day--adults and children alike.  And the kids are pretty cute, as you'll see below.  Looks like those girls all wanted a turn at the same time. 

Up tomorrow: they're heading deeper into the Amazon, via car and canoe.  Jeff mentioned something about catching a piranha along the way...yum?

Again, Happy b-day to Stacy!  Her birthday wish of frolicking with Bolivian monkeys came true. 

--Molly--

Hi all,

Quite a bit has transpired since the last update.  The team left La Paz, went to Salar de Uyuni, came back, left for Yungas, and are now back in La Paz…but leaving for the Amazon tomorrow.

There have been a few roadblocks along the way: first of all, they mistook a cucumber for a zucchini and grilled it—I got a kick out of that.  There is also a gas shortage in La Paz that has been threatening to delay their trip, but they managed to successfully leave town.  Jeff even ate street ceviche—a seemingly insurmountable problem—and survived!

I want to quickly tell you about their trip to Salar de Uyuni, the salt flats.  I spoke with Stacy and Jeff the morning they returned, and their excitement was palpable. I got an adrenaline rush while listening to their sagas, and I’m over 5,000 miles away.  Here are a few highlights (and be sure to look below at the pictures):

*They saw plenty of stunning rock formations, lagoons, and volcanoes.  And thousands of flamingoes in a blood-red lake, at over 15,000 feet. As Jeff said, “We saw natural wonder that I didn't expect…and hung swings off it.”  Awesome.

*They had an amazing guide (who doubled as a cook) who drove them all around the salt flats, showing them things that most travelers don’t get to see.

*They encountered a small, run down park in a town and wanted to help.  They scoured the town for supplies (bought a tiny bit of rope, saw a guy chopping wood and asked for a piece) and hung a little swing in the park.  Two local boys, despite not being tall enough for the swing, managed to stick a backpack on top of a rock, and hoist themselves up.  Best of all, the team caught it all on camera.  And there's a picture of it below!

*Perhaps the highlight of the trip: they hung a swing in a very special and unique place…and you’ll just have to wait and see it.

Tomorrow they’re off to the jungle for about five days, traveling via military plane.  I’m sure we can look forward to some good stories.

And last, a happy happy birthday to Stacy, our fearless lady behind the camera!  She’ll be celebrating with Jeff and Drew on the 24th.  The Amazon isn’t such a bad place to celebrate. 

More updates to come!

-Molly-

Spotty internet, stolen iphone, and adorable street dogs.  Our crew has landed!

Although Stacy is down one gadget (Angry Birds, noooo!), everything else is intact.  The team landed safely in La Paz on Tuesday and hit the ground running.  Well, almost.  The city of La Paz is up high.  Really high.  3,640 meters high (that’s 11,942 feet).  That translates to an almost guaranteed bout of altitude sickness, which did not spare our fearless crew.  After resting and taking some meds, however, they starting doing what they do best: exploring, filming, using gestures as a form of language, and hanging swings.

A few hours ago, just before sunset, they found a park at the southwest end of La Paz and got to work.  Jeff has this little anecdote to share—from now on, I think I’ll have a Story Time segment--and he typed it from his iphone, so enjoy the emulation of Hemingway:

We got the swing up just as a kid and his mom were passing. We talked to her for a minute in the best Spanish we could toss to the floor, and she nodded the kid over to the swing. Drew hefted him up-- they eat well here-- and he swung for a bit. Loved it. Very refreshing. Then as we went to grab the last bit of light for some shots, a cop came by. Very cool, calm and correct-- but made sure we were cutting it down after our "photo session." La Paz is beautiful but we can't wait to get down in the Amazon basin where our installs will be lasting and not so counter-legislative as they are in the country's most major metropolitan city. Really looking forward to it.

I love that story.  The great thing is, there are so many like it.  As swings go up, at sea level or 11,000 feet, people gather.  We can look forward to many more tidbits like this.

In a few days Stacy, Drew, and Jeff will head Salar de Ayuni, the largest salt flat in the world. Wikipedia says it’s “near the crest of the Andes.”  I encourage all of you to Google it and join me in my jealousy.   There’s more good stuff to come, so for now, enjoy the photos (thanks to the talented Stacy) and stay tuned.

-Molly-

Kickstarter supporters,

It’s me, Molly, your designated Updater and lover of all things swing-y.  I’m so excited to be a liaison between the team and the Kickstarter community.  And, although Bolivian internet may not be trustworthy, I plan on updating you as information comes in. 

I must admit that this updater job was my backup plan.  My hope was to be right alongside Stacy, Drew, and Jeff, taking orders and translating Spanish along the way.  Alas, life intruded, so I’ll be waiting patiently here in San Francisco--which isn’t too shabby.

Though my South American travels have taken me to Colombia, Ecuador, and Argentina, Bolivia has eluded me for a long time.  I was supposed visit when I was in high school (thwarted by political crisis) and post-college (supposedly Bolivians don’t like gringas doing research and exposing corrupt prisons, go figure).  I’m confident I’ll visit one day, and maybe take a ride on a swing that some cool people put up in the salt flats.

Throughout this past year, I’ve been lucky enough to watch the swing project blossom from its humble beginnings.  In fact, I started crushin’ on Jeff the day after the first swings went up in San Francisco parks last July.  Since then, it has been amazing to see an afternoon activity develop into an inspiring international project.  I support them 100%, and have tried my best to lend a hand along the way.  Because I’m not known for my biceps and brawn, I haven’t been able to throw rope over a 30-foot branch and hang a swing.  I have, however, been able to help here and there: I’ve drilled (it’s not as easy as it looks, I swear), sanded, sawed, chauffeured, gone on many walks to hardware stores, and unwillingly been the subject of practice camera close-ups.  Like all of you, I want to contribute in any way I can--even if it means seeing my magnified pores.   

So here we are, about two (!) days before takeoff.  Stacy, Drew, and Jeff seem to have all the bases covered.  They’re packing the big (cameras, tripod, rope) and the small (Spanish-English dictionary, duct tape, malaria meds).  They’ve been busy filming every day, running errands, mapping out the trip, and of course hanging a few swings.

Although they’ll be sorely missed, I’m filled with endless excitement about the next month.  We’ll see where the journey takes them.  Until then, buena suerte to the team, and you’ll hear from me soon.

-Molly-

Hey everyone! I hope this update finds you well. Jeff, Stacey and I are two weeks away from jumping on a plane headed for Bolivia and we're starting to get really pumped. After deciding that planning this endeavor separated by 300 miles was becoming tiresome, I packed up my stuff and moved in with Jeff (see: commandeered his couch) in San Francisco so we can really get this project moving along.

Just this past weekend we spent a day shooting and editing together a little video to get back into the swing of working with each other. Its not too shabby if I say so myself, check it out:

We're still looking for accommodations in La Paz so if any of you have advice, we'd love to talk about it. 

As of now our plan is to get into La Paz and spend a few days getting situated (and definitely hanging up a few of your swings) before heading out to the Salt Flats located near Uyuni. If you've never heard, the salt flats in Bolivia are the world's largest natural mirror during the rainy season, which sounds like some prime real estate for swing hanging. From there we're mapping out trips to Santa Cruz, Sucre, Potosi, and of course Lake Titicaca in an effort to spread our (your) swings across the entire country.

Start thinking about what you guys want on your swings! We're going to be sending out an email soon asking just what you want inscribed on the swings we leave behind... A few things: Jeff and I probably should have failed art class in 5th grade, so please keep the drawings simple; Bolivian's primarily speak Spanish so if you want a specific phrase or anything it might be a good idea to have it translated... 

You guys are all amazing and NONE of this would be possible without you! If we haven't said it enough times, from the bottom of our hearts: thank you!

- Drew

So we've been lacking in the updates and that's mostly due to being very busy. rest assured we'll be updating a lot soon and as we're in Bolivia, but those we'll be coming from Molly. Molly is my lovely girlfriend who hoped to join us on the trip but will unfortunately be unable to make it. It's a real shame. Aside from my own obvious self-serving reasons, she's an astute travler, fluent Spanish speaker, swing aficionado, and lover of Bolivia. In fact she had a scholarship proposal that would have her living in the prison in La Paz, studying it's working and developing improved programs, because she's got it like that. Oh, did I forget to mention how smart she is?

So, while we'll be very busy on the ground she'll be sending constant updates in our place, keeping you fine people informed of our every move. 

Currently tickets are bought and most of the gear is acquired. We're in talks with a few people who live in La Paz and are working with them to try and find housing. Our plan is to base out of La Paz and use the opportunity of staying primarily in one place to really dig into the community and get to know the people. 

I'm going to be sending requests to all of you shortly for the information you'd like on your swing, if that is the reward you opted for. So expect that in your mailbox. 

Thats all for now. Thank you all so much. We love you, you're amazing, and that shirt looks great on you. 

-Jeff, Drew, Stacy (and soon to be, Molly)