Timing it out, we were in the traveling flux for around 33 hours give or take. Everything was smooth sailing until La Paz though. After a 7 hour flight from Miami and having barely eaten, we arrived exhausted and weak, not the combination you want to enter a city nearing 12,000 feet in elevation. It took us about 30 minutes or so 'til I could barely stand from being lightheaded. We found a cafe as soon as we could to drink the local remedy for elevation issues, coca tea.
Coca leaves in Bolivia are commonly used for tea, which to me tastes similar to yerba mate, or a grassier tasting green tea. It is also used like chewing tobacco for the native Bolivians, normally the men I believe. Unfortunately, the misuse of coca leaves to make a concentrated paste which then can be used with other chemicals to make cocaine, is what coca is usually known for in the US. But coca in its natural leaf form is very good for you. Coca tea (mate de coca) helps digestion, fights against altitude sickness, and gives you a light calming boost of energy similar to green tea. It should be a common drink for us here.
So after drinking the tea, things were a little better, but only to an extent. Every time we attempted to walk around, or even walk up one flight of steps, we would be out of breath and need to sit down! We have been told that the Bolivian soccer team always wins at home because the other country teams can't handle the altitude. After 6-7 horrible hours in La Paz, I understand this much more. Eventually though, we took the short flight to Cochabamba and met our friends Brisa and Parker who took us to Chilimarca and the MAP headquarters.
After 12,000 feet, 7,500 feet elevation was nothing! We both felt much better. Brisa and Parker gave us a tour of the MAP compound, clinic, and school. My first impression of MAP was a little intimidating. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, but at the same time everyone had something to do. It will be interesting seeing how we can get plugged into daily activities these first couple of weeks. Brisa, Parker, and Jose Miguel (the country representative for MAP-Bolivia) were on top of everything and very informative, but all the information was a good deal to take in. I wonder if it would of been better to receive a tour after a good nights sleep! I also cannot wait to get started with our Spanish tutor. It is really hard to fight the feeling of being discouraged and feeling useless when everyone around you is talking and you can barely understand them and it's difficult to respond. The more time I spend studying Spanish, I know the more this feeling will start to dissipate, hopefully.
Lastly, we have our own little house! It is a little nicer than what we expected. Many small things to get used to, like boiling all drinking water, but overall everything so far in Chilimarca is great! The people here are very friendly. It is a nice feeling to receive a hola or buenos dias everytime you walk by someone. While the language barrier can be discouraging at times, I am encouraged by all that is happening here and how much it seems everyone is happy for us to be here.
We look forward to giving you a more information about working and participating here after we become more situated. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support.
Peace, Daniel
yay! you made it! now let the party begin :)
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