"To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change" - Charles Horton Coole
Today was my last day in La Paz, Bolivia. Five and a half weeks have passed since I arrived in the El Alto airport, and now I have to start on the second part of my summer adventure: four weeks in Quito, Ecuador studying Spanish. Two of my friends and I left La Paz at 8:00 a.m. and arrived in Cusco two hours later. From Cusco we plan on riding a bus to Quito, a three day journey.
Even though Cusco is a beautiful city with gorgeous colonial architecture, I already miss La Paz. I am looking forward to exploring more of Latin America and experiencing new places; however, I feel empty right now as I realize that I may not see Bolivia again for a long time. I got used to the country; in a way, Bolivia became a home in the five weeks I have been there. I met new friends, I learned the customs, and I sank into the routine of everyday life. Time flew by between school, friends, traveling, and exploring. I will miss the vibrant colors of the Bolivian markets, the bright and cloudless skies, the magical mountain views. Most of all, I will miss the people I met there and the friends I made. Things can be replaced and substituted; places are empty without human connection. However, people are all different, all one of a kind, all special in their own way. Friends cannot be replaced or substituted. All of the people I met in Bolivia will always have a special place in my heart and I hope to see them someday soon.
I also wanted to add to this post all the valuable life lessons I learned in Bolivia. They are not in any particular order, and they are all my personal experiences so don't take offense if you don't agree with something.
Life Lessons Learned:
1. There is no such things as too much hand sanitizer, and its use is appropriate at any time of the day and night in vast quantities.
2. The more muscle you have, the more the altitude sickness will suck because muscles need more oxygen than fat.
3. Keep an open mind and don't judge everything by your values.
4. In order to survive crossing the road, look both ways and run if no cars are coming. Sometimes you will have to zigzag through a line of cars, and they will try to run you over if given a chance.
5. Speaking in Spanish is a lot harder when a reporter sticks a camera in your face and starts asking questions.
6. Do NOT carry your entire wardrobe with you to Bolivia. However, do bring enough variety. I regretted not bringing more T-shirts and tank tops with me.
7. Kindle is your friend. When you get homesick and lonely, a good book in English is a miraculous cure.
8. Bring lots of Immodium. Be prepared to get food poisoning several times as our stomachs are not used to the bacteria.
9. People in La Paz drive like lunatics. Be prepared to be terrified by manic drivers at least once a day.
10. Good internet in Bolivia is hard to find. Just remember, patience is a virtue.
11. Drink a lot of water, you will get dehydrated quicker at this altutude.
12. For the trip to Tiwanaku, invest in a llama hat, llama gloves, llama sweater, llama pants, and llama socks. 3 A.M. is very cold at high altutudes.
13. There are no fans in Bolivian bathrooms so keep the window open while showering.
14. ALWAYS CARRY AROUND TOILET PAPER. Bathrooms are difficult to find, and sometimes not worth the trouble. Also, you may have to go at an inconvenient time, such as a road blockade due to the car race.
15. Try to speak in Spanish as much as possible. It's easy to fall into the English-speaking routine, especially if all your friends speak English.
16. Watch a sunrise and a sunset at least once if you can. There is a nice park near Plaza España with amazing views of the city.
17. Above all, enjoy yourself. Time in Bolivia will FLY, and you will be dissapointed by the things you didn't do.
