We have finally arrived in Cochabamba. It took us 3 planes: DC-Miami; Miami-La Paz; La Paz-Cochabamba. We had to wait 1.5 hours on the plane on the runway in Miami because La Paz wouldn’t accept us…but we finally got clearance. It was a smooth flight, I was happy to actually sleep for a good part of the 6.5 hour flight. I can’t believe I almost gave up my window seat for an aisle! The view of La Paz was incredible, but hard to describe…very green even at that altitude. Speaking of altitude, I did feel it, but since our plane was so delayed we didn’t have time to stay in the airport except to get through customs and make sure our bags made it to this side of the world. Most of us felt very out of breath, I felt very hot, but I did some nice deep yoga breaths and made it alright. The 35-minute flight to Cochabamba allowed us to get a great sense of the topography of Bolivia. Literally there was a point where all the flat land near La Paz (the altiplano, high plain) just dropped off into rough mountains and valleys below. Cochabamba is in that valley, still at a considerable altitude (8,000 or 9,000 feet), but we’re all breathing fine, just tired from all the stress of travel and the anticipation that has been building up in us. Some current volunteers had a great welcome for us at the Coch airport, they were up on a balcony and were screaming for us when we walked onto the tarmac. Then they made a line and we all had to run through and slap hands with everyone. We got to talk to them for a little bit, I hope I turn out to be as cool and nice and down to earth as they do…because right now I’m so overwhelmed by all the packets of information and places we need to remember to be.
In the first few hours since we’ve been at our hotel (we’re here just for the first few days until we get set up with our host familias), the city seems really quiet, but not at all dead. It’s so sunny here, and not surprisingly, there is a lot to see. The indigenous style of dress can be seen. There are lots of little stands that are selling candy, refrescos (drinks), etc. My favorite sight was a man with a loudspeaker yelling “yo tengo papayas!” while dragging a cart full of huge papayas and bunches of bananas. I’m very happy about the fresh fruit.
And yes, the toilets do flush down the opposite direction, and it’s fun to watch.
I'm also getting the reputation as group historian because I'm taking lots of pictures and videos (Ally I know you'd be proud).
Love you all!
