My how things change

First things first - I think I forgot to mention something the other day. You can't flush toilet paper down the drain. You have to put it in the trash... as we're on the subject - I had my first defecation and it was semi-solid. Yay me! Moving on...

Well I have had two action packed days in a row and I seem to be handling it well. I thought my body would have wanted to shut down by now but I guess mind-over-matter works. I really don't know where to start so I will just write even though it may not be in chronological order...

Let's start with this city. Obviously it's like nothing I have ever experienced before. It's organized chaos... or at least I think it may be me somewhat-organized chaos. People are everywhere. I really don't think there is a US equivalent - maybe NYC but even then I kind of doubt it. People are running here and there and selling things everywhere on the street. I snapped a couple of pics to share, but I can't always take my camera with me when I go out. But this pic doesn't do it justice.

Since I have been out in the city for two days now I actually feel like I'm getting the hang of it. I'm learning where to go to get things and how to get there. Van rides from where I'm staying to the center of the city are 1.5 Bolivianos which is less than US 25cents. So getting around the city is not an expensive thing to do. I imagine the prices have to be this low in order for everyone to be able to afford to take the vans. I have had quite the experience with the transportation system as 3 times I have had to run and try and fit in a bus so I don't get left behind! On one ride I was literally hanging out the doorway for the ride. But you have to make things happen here because they sure aren't going to be handed to you. I should add that I was almost involved in about 3 accidents this evening as people who drive here pretty much do what they want. I don't think I would ever want to drive here... and I like driving.

The Germans and the Scotts arrived today which has definitely made me feel better about things. Things are starting to take shape and it's been great interacting with all the new people today. Pretty much everyone is very friendly - only a couple of shy ones. I'm actually the oldest out of all of the volunteers that have come in. The next oldest is Rose who is a fellow American at 21. But all of the Germans speak good English and most are definitely better than me at Spanish. I am sharing "the flat" with about 8 other people both guys and girls. It's basically a coed living situation. We even share a large bathroom that has stalls for toilets and showers. I guess you would think of it as a woman's bathroom, but it's for everyone! Yea... may need to overcome some initial awkwardness there. Can't say I've ever pooped right next to a girl before... But nonetheless, it'll be great getting to know them all this next year... even if it's not in the way I would prefer...

Having people here that are about to do the same thing as me is definitely comforting and it sort of eases my mind. The task of being away from family and loved ones for a year is definitely not easy but having people who are doing it too helps to bond us quickly. I can't wait to see how God will use me to do things I didn't know I was capable of. I also can't wait to meet up with the church in La Paz and experience something totally new and awesome! I know God will move but this is definitely no HOPE youth Corps.

Here is a shot of the city when we were walking up to the El Alto markets. Enjoy:

Alive and well!

What a looooong day it's been! I've taken 3 (or was it 4 naps) today and I'm still tired...

The trip down was very OK. American Airline flights are not the most comfortable things in the world but they got the job done. The Miami airport was pretty crazy. It's very very large - I walked almost the entire thing to kill time. And time I had as my lay-over was nothing short of 10 hours. Everyone spoke Spanish there which I guess shouldn't be that amazing. It was to prepare for things to come. I used some of the time there to just get my mind right.

On the flight down I got to sit next to 2 nice people. One was a gringo like myself and he was journeying to document (he was the photographer) some engineers making some kind of clean water system in a remote village somewhere. The other was an American educated Bolivian woman who was a professor at Syracuse. She gave me her business card in case I needed anything. So I'm off to a great start! The plane ride itself was terrible (due mostly to not being able to recline) but I managed about 4 hours of sleep out of a 6.5 hour flight.

Once I arrived in La Paz there was immigration thing to go through... which was not very impressive. There is one little place for baggage claim here. I guess planes come in one at a time.

My first "cultural" experience came when I went to the bathroom after I got off the plane and a woman just came in and started cleaning... I couldn't help but smile to myself.

Once I got to walk out with my luggage I must have walked right past the FAI sign because I proceeded to walk through the entire airport (nothing like Miami) and then back again before I found them (Nina and the driver). Shortly after I introduced myself to Nina a group of about 10 disciples from La Paz came out of no where. At first I didn't know who they were but then it quickly dawned on me (I think it was the altitude and the thin air). They were very very happy to see me for having been waiting for me for more than one hour - and did I mention this was before 6 in the morning?

On the ride down the from the airport you get some great views of the valley below. With the sun rising it was really a site to see. My one crappy picture doesn't do it justice. And I didn't take any pictures of the stray dogs, but they are everywhere!

Once I arrived where I will be staying I had breakfast with Nina and the driver (yea... definitely didn't catch his name) and Teresa (German volunteer). Got to have some Coca tea and as far as I know it works. I haven't had a headache all day... now being a little winded was another story. After breakfast I was left alone for a few hours where I got to nap and relax a little.

My afternoon was spent with Teresa as she showed me the important places know. We walked through the closest market (I'm staying what is considered a middle class area mind you) and sure they had fresh fruits and veggies but they also had pigeons and stray dogs everywhere - and yes, this is inside. After the tour we went back and ate a little. We were waiting for some new volunteers who were supposed to be coming in so I napped. But they never came. So I came back to my room and  now I'm typing this half asleep.

Oh yea, and it's cold. There is seriously no heating in La Paz - everyone just bundles up. Man we have it good. This change of the way of life is going to take some getting used to... but I think I'm up to the task.

So the travel begins

I just want to say thanks to everyone who has supported me in my venture to La Paz. Thanks to everyone who stopped by on Saturday and those of you who sent their well-wishes. I'm incredibly grateful for the blessings in my life - especially the people who have shaped me to become who I am today and have lead me to this awesome adventure. Thank you.

Leaving home and knowing how long I'm going to be gone has made me realize how deeply I love and how emotional I actually am. Emotion for me has not always been something I show on the outside but more of internal reflection... and I have definitely been reflecting. 

Right now I sit in the Miami airport while waiting for my connecting flight to La Paz... a great place to people watch as there are many many different kinds of people walking through. On the flight in I got to take a good look out the window over Miami and see how everything was built up. It's pretty ridiculous actually... There is the beautiful blue water and then just a grid of humanity with just about every square inch of space taken up. Looking down from the plane and seeing how small everything is really made me wonder how we can think so much of ourselves. We are so small yet we think so much of ourselves and want to only please ourselves. I hope I can detox from the American hustle and bustle of the daily selfishness we call our lives so I can humble myself and really make a difference. Maybe that was a little harsh.. but you get the point. I just want to be able to truly live, laugh and love.

I'm getting in to La Paz around 5:30am. Sleep tonight? eehhhh... maybe.