The hair of the dog that....

I would like to pretence this entry by discussing the effects of high altitude. As most of you know, La Paz is high – as in 3600 metres above sea level high, as in when you get off the plane you have trouble breathing high. People react differently to the altitude and it is advised that in the first couple of days you “camino despacio, como un poco y duermo mucho” (walk slowly, eat a little and sleep a lot). For the most part typical side effects include: trouble breathing, headaches, dizziness etc. I avoided most of these side effects and was able to walk around within hours, however where I felt it the most and still do is my lips, they have never been so chapped in my life.
There are many different variables that combined can result in a bad night – you get stood up, have someone spill something on you, get sick etc. Or in my case, you get bitten by a random dog on the street in La Paz. That is right; it only took a total of 3 days before I dog bit me. The incident was totally random and unprovoked. I was walking to a coffee shop with some friends when a dog (on a leash, thank god) jumped up about 3 feet and bit onto my arm. Thankfully I was wearing a sweater and so it was my sweater that got it the worst but still, when you are in a developing country, especially Bolivia with a high rate of rabies among dogs, you DO NOT want this to happen. In a midst of panic and mainly due to my lack of Spanish, we did not ask the owner if the dog had received a rabies vaccination. Instead we rushed down to a drug store to obtain the necessary means to clean the wound (by wound, really it was more of a scratch). In the pharmacy my Spanish speaking friends were asking for disinfectant, bandages, tape etc explaining the urgency to the sales clerk and that I have just been bitten by a dog. I nod in agreement and hold my arm showing her where the wound was. The sentiment in the store was quite intense, at least until I piped up out of nowhere “y uno lobella por favor” – requesting chap stick. My friends burst out laughing insinuating that I didn't have my priorities straight. However, I beg to differ. The truth being I had walked around for 3 days looking for chap stick, and the only place I had seen it was for sale on the street. Problem is the street vendors can tell that I am a gringo and consistently rip me off – or try to – something that would cost 3 bolivanios somehow costs me 7 etc, so I saw an opportunity in the drug store and I took it. Who says you can’t multitask while in a state of panic?

If anyone is concerned (as I was yesterday about getting rabies) I went to the doctor yesterday and everything seems to be fine – I don’t need the vaccine and my mind is at ease. That and I am going to steer clear of all dogs from here on out.

He llegarado

I guess I should pretense this by saying that the impossible has happened - I have started a blog. My apologies to those of you I have made fun of in the past for "Blogging" and I know that there are quite a few. Call me a hypocrite call me whatever you like but this really is the best way to communicate what I will be doing.

Finally after two months of hectic preparation, a couple flight cancellations, and a night in Lima, I have arrived in La Paz. I have to admit that I am extremely grateful for my stopover spent in Lima, after experiencing the road rules, pollution and an attempted robbery I cannot explain how happy I am to be spending the next 5 months in La Paz. The city is beautiful with houses every where you look hanging off the sides of various mountains. For a south american city it is very clean and easy to navigate and I have already found some local go to places. Thus far there haven't really been any challenges, aside from the realization that I am going to have to live eat and breathe Spanish and I have a long way to go. But, I start lessons and work tomorrow and so I am hoping for the best.

The people in La Paz seem really helpful. It's amazing to walk down the street and see the women in traditional dress. As it is to see how open people are to sharing here be it taxis, drinks etc - something I will have to get used to seeing as I get such a kick out of saying "Mio/mia/mios/mias" aka mine.

For the past few nights I have been sharing a room with one of my fellow volunteers Clemence at hotel Espana. It's a decent hotel, and would be better if there was heating, but the location is great and has provided an optimal starting point for exploring the city. Tomorrow I will move in with my Bolivian host family and start work/spanish classes. That's about all for now. I will write another update soon.

hasta luego,

Joanna