JAN TERM
3 GALS - 3 COUNTRIES
!Hola! and happy new year. I will start this semester by apologizing for my lack of blogging and details in blogs last semester. Apparently (according to EVERY family member), I don’t blog enough so- new year, new/(and hopefully) more blogs!
I am writing from Copacabana in Bolivia which is on Lake Titicaca (hahaha). We (Addie English, Noah Mackay, Josh Benjamin (leader), and I) started this journey nearly a week ago when Addie, Noah, and I landed in Lima, Peru. As my past experience in Peru was less than optimal, I am happy (ecstatic actually) to note that Peru is a wonderful place filled with wonderful people. *My bag arrived which has made this particular experience so much better. #SocksAmIRight
In Lima, we attended presentations hosted by the organization Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope), which was founded out of the lack of attention to human rights during its most recent civil war and now works on women’s rights here in South America. It was a truly humbling experience to see all of the imperative work they are doing here to help disabled children and fight against domestic abuse. They took us to Manchay (an impoverished section of Lima) where we got firsthand experience of everything they have done for the community.
Plus we got some (super) bomb ceviche #YumYum
After two days in Lima, we flew to Cuzco where we stayed in the coolest (and cleanest omg) hostel. We left early in the morning Saturday to drive to Aguas Calientes to hike Machu Picchu (#RoundDos) and we stayed late into the evening. The altitude got to us Sunday so we jchilled and walked around a local market where I purchased more Peru pants to add to my (growing) collection. Sunday night, we hopped onto Bolivia Hop and drove 15 hours to arrive in Bolivia where we currently are. #HopHop
We haven’t seen much of Bolivia but I’ll let y’all in on all the deets as soon as we’ve explored!
15 January 2018
Well, eight days later and let me tell you- we have done A LOT.
In Copacabana, Bolivia, we hiked Isla Del Sol and struggled to find any wifi (anywhere- apparently Bolivia doesn’t have a very large bandwidth). #Disconnected
When we left Copacabana, we headed for La Paz/El Alto (One of the country’s -many?- capitals). We toured an organization which specializes in helping youth struggling with drug addiction get back on their feet. I wore shorts this day and it #rained, but that didn’t hinder us from learning about and loving the girls we met. We also trekked around the world’s largest open air market and saw so many (no like, SO MANY) soccer jerseys. We also picked up some tiny hair ties (I’ll explain — keep reading:)).) Then (best part), we went to a “cholita” fight where female luchadors fake fought each other. We cheered for the women and cried when they lost. So much adrenaline- such a rush #10/10ExperienceHighlyRecommendIfEverInLaPaz .
After La Paz, we went straight to Kera, where an Aymara (an indigenous group) community live and continue to teach about their culture. We stayed there for three days with absolutely no wifi (#ReallyDisconnected) and I utilized the tiny hair ties (pulling this all together, right?) by cornrowing Noah’s hair. We learned how to milk cows, make cheese, make thread out of wool (like straight from the sheep’s back), and play soccer at 13,000 ft above sea level. #WindedJustListingEverything
Last night, we took an overnight bus to Potosi, Bolivia and this morning we toured the local silver mines #Cough. The miners even gave me a rock and I’m going to give it to my fav geologist #Dad. Hopefully, it doesn’t result in a lesson about rocks though because I learned enough about the rocks this morning.
Anyways, I hope everyone is doing well and that this suffices as blogging more… I seriously haven’t had any wifi. But no worries- more to come (hopefully?)
23 January 2018
Ok. Well. Hm. Um.
So, hey guys!
Just got to Uyuni and wow.
Terrible place. (Or as Addie would put it, “Very interesting…”)
We left Potosi this morning and hopped on a bus to land here. Except not here. We got about five miles out of the town and were stopped because of a blockade. Apparently this is typical Bolivia. We grabbed all of our luggage (80 lbs each:/) and dragged it down the road. Addie and I flagged down one of the few taxis that was transporting people down and I handed over $20 (about 120 Bolivianos and WAY too much for a taxi) because we were not doing great with the luggage situation. We grabbed Noah, Josh, and Drew (a Bolivian expert) and drove about 5 minutes before we were stopped because the taxi driver, one of the blockadees, was supposedly making money off of the blockade. (um yes. he was. I threw $20 at him.) The women refused to let us pass so we had to grab our bags yet again and continue dragging our luggage 3 miles down the road. Simply put, not my most happy moment here.
I’m trying very hard to stay positive but the fact is, between the culture shock and the sun/wind burn, its been hard. We head to the Salt Flats tomorrow which promises a cool picture and a fun time so I’m not giving up yet (haha 14 more weeks!).
At least I have a farmer’s tan which is better than no tan at all! Also, I showered so its proving more positive than earlier today. Will post later- #NoWifiLife
Upon thinking about my review of Uyuni, I realized that its not such a bad place. The people are kind and the food is… ok the food wasn’t great but I got pizza so I’m not complaining.
We spent the day after arriving in Uyuni (and after that dreadful blockade) in the Salt Flats which was absolutely amazing. Basically, the ground is completely made of salt and because it's rainy season, the thin layer of water above the salt reflects the sky and it simultaneously looks like an ocean and heaven.
Addie, Noah, and I took so many pictures here and we seriously look like #models. We got to eat lunch amidst the salt water and look out at the never ending horizon. Our lunch consisted of quinoa (which apparently is the “perfect” grain because it contains every amino acid our bodies need), yuca root, carrots, and peas. #YumYum #FoodLove;)
Last night we took a bus to Oruro, Bolivia and we’ve spent the day at an organization which aids juveniles with criminal records and the children of people who are incarcerated. Honestly, the only background knowledge I had about any criminal justice system comes from the documentary 13th and has nothing to do with the criminal justice systems here in South America. Many of the prisons here are completely run by the convicts themselves which seems like it maintains dignity and worth in the inmates. It helps them to set goals and hopefully not commit more crimes (if they committed any to begin with).
Tomorrow we head to Chile and I am #PUMPED (capitalized because I’m that excited.) We’ll be at the beach for two days so maybe I can add to this awesome tan of mine? Except, I’ll be out here in a one-piece so I’m not entirely sure.
Anyways, I’ll keep y’all posted…
P.s.
I ate Llama Jerky today which was pretty good #PrayForMyStomach