First Day

Well we made it! I have to start this blog entry with saying my kids are awesome. It was a long day and they had to carry the biggest backpack ever, change 3 planes, go through a 2 hour immigration but they were perfect.

So once we make it out of the La Paz airport, missing a trunk, we see my dad waiting! It was so good to see him. This is the longest we have gone without seeing him. We have to take two taxis, because of our luggage, into La Paz. La Paz is the highest working capital city in the world. We are currently at 12,500 ft. It is one of the strangest cities I have ever seen. As you drop down 2000ft. into the city it is like a HUGE bowl completely built up by buildings. Dad said some describe it as a toliet bowl, and you kind of go round and round, spiraling down into the city. But you see No ground, No trees just a cement wall. We arrived about 8:30 in the morning and there were clouds in the "valley" but I tried to capture the image for you.

We check into our Hostel. Great experince. Already met people from all over. Jordan has descovered she loves an English accent. Our room is nice 3 beds and a private shower. I am relieved not to have communal showers. But would love to have heat. Our West Texas Blood is FREEZING! But as you walk in, the family style kitchen is pumping out yummy pancakes as fast as the mostly-college crowd can eat them. We grab a plate and pile them up. NO syrup but the sweetest jam I have ever had.

After breakfast, we bundle up in scarves and head out for a walk. The best I can describe the city is like Mexico. But very BUSY. And pedestrians have NO right of way. So crossing the CRAZY streets is a challenge. We end up in front of the oldest church in Bolivia. Built one year after the city was founded. BUT to put it into the perspective we gave the kids, only 70 years after the discovery of America!

As we walk down the street the kids are most impressed with the ice cream. It is everywhere. And it really is impressive. Beautiful in colors and with fresh fruit on top to show the flavors. Of course it was not long before we found ourselves sitting down to eat at DUMBO's. As we waited for our hamburgers (which dad warned would not taste the same) dad explained some of the dining differences. No ice, no butter for bread, no syrup for pancakes, but wonderful bottled cokes. A couple of ice cream cones later, we were on our way back to the hostel for a much-needed nap. From everything I read, it is very important to take it easy the first couple of days in such high altitudes. BUT of couse, my dad has me riding down the world's most dangerous road, an 8 hour ride into the rainforest, tomorrow, so I better rest today.

Internet will be very scarce during the next several days, I will post as soon as I can and put up pictures soon, I know that is what you really want to see.

THANKS FOR READING
Jody