MY JOURNAL FOR BOLIVIA AND PERU!
03- 03- 2006
Anxious…Hopelessly waiting…For the thrill of a lifetime…Traveling to another
country! Finally packed and on the road, I hope I didn’t forget anything. I made sure to
bring clothes I could give away. In all honesty, I am truly concerned about altitude
sickness!
I slept on the bus ride to the airport in Atlanta. Everything seems hectic when you are
traveling in big groups. Safely on the plane I gathered my wits; did I mention that I hate
flying? I would rather be skydiving! Yes, I would rather jump out of a plane than sit in
one. I can’t believe we are finally on our way! The plane ride was full of really bad
singing to the radio and laughing with Paige and Dan so hard I could split. I am in love
with these two individuals… I can’t wait to spend the next ten days with them!
Flying into South America I see a snow capped peak…
03-04-2006
Oh my, do I feel like crap! When I got off the plane in La Paz, it was all I could do to
drag my luggage to the bus. The drive was full of busy town scenery but I wasn’t
interested yet. After a nice nap and some coca tea, I feel a little tired but alright. We
toured the town toady! A nice ride through La Paz, stopping at every photo opportunity
we could. Our guide is named Rosemary and she is divine; her brother Raphael and
sister Sylvia were also there. I have seen the most beautiful children in the world… the
women carry them around in these slings on their backs. I am amazed at the connection
between mother and child here. In the states, very often children are placed in day care
or in front of the TV with a video game. Here they are carried until they are strong
enough to stand and then they learn their trade for work. Amazing…I bet none of them
are prescribed aderol.
03-05-2006
I have already begun to collect a fair amount of flowers and rocks from here. My favorite
souvenirs to take back are always from the land itself. I can’t identify some of them and it
may be fun to key them out later.
Words I learned today: Kawasaki- how are you
Waliki- I’m great/ I’m fine
Hisa- yes
Que Hora Es?- What time it is!
The Valley De La Luna was so incredible! It really did seem like you were in a foreign
planet, it had craters like the moon and the sand was extremely brittle. I took some great
photos of some lichens and cactus. When we were leaving this man started playing his
flute and we all stopped to listen. I never did take a picture, I was told if you take their
picture it’s like stealing their soul.
03- 06- 2006
More about our guides:
Rosemary- a beautiful soul and smile, with more heart than anyone I have ever
known. We have all fallen in love with her….Hayaya!
Raphael- best hugs with all arms and body…no patting…he seems pure to so much we
take forgranted…he always wore the pimpest sweaters too
Sylvia- quiet until you get her talking…motivated to do Rosemary’s work…she seems to
be going far beyond the other women in her culture with her education
Today we stood on a mountain! Lloco Lloco (heart to heart). Llampo was so clear in the
distance, with its snowy peaks and blue skies! Let’s give thanx to the simple things in
life: family, friends, yourself, the earth and everything around you. Rosemary did a
beautiful ritual to the four winds and we all did our part. I found myself breathing freely
and soaking up the good energy around me. I actually cried a little as everyone’s spirit
joined together…this culture is so real! Why can’t we see our greed and treasure those
things most sacred to us! Why am I standing here on this mountain feeling sorry for our
country?
At Tiwanaku the ruins were so incredible. I walked around them thinking about who
might have been walking there before. The room with the stone heads was really
interesting! I collected some green rocks and Rosemary said if you took them away from
this magical sight they will turn black…guess what…mine did! Crazy huh?