I miss my visitor! It was nice to finally be able to show someone what my life has been like for the last 5 months. I hope that others will follow Eric's lead and come for a visit!
Classes are over, and most of my gringo friends have returned to the USA. On Saturday, I said goodbye to Nora (not in a bad way; I had always planned to spend the 2nd semester on my own) and moved into a new living situation. I am living in an apartment with three other people: a Chilean, a German, and a Canadian. The apartment is really, really nice and when I have more time I will post pictures of it. Let's just say for now that I have been lucky enough to have not one but two million-dollar views in my life: the Potomac and the skyline of Rosslyn from my room at Georgetown, and the Santiago skyline/the Andes/a park with a huge fountain from the current apartment.
I will not be posting for the next two weeks because tomorrow I leave for Bolivia! Last semester at Georgetown, I was paired up with a guy from La Paz for a language-exchange. I helped Mauricio with his English, and he helped me with my Spanish. Now I am going to visit him, and he has very generously offered to take me around Bolivia in the safety and comfort of his Nissan X-Terra.
For a little background information: La Paz is the highest capital city in the world (11,000+ ft ASL). Altitude sickness is a real possibility. In order to attempt to prevent this, I have started taking acetazolamide, which effectively turns your blood slightly acidic, which allows it to absorb more oxygen. One possible side effect is "temporary impotency". Bolivia would be a horrible place to go on a honeymoon.
So far I have been pretty good about avoiding cravings for American products not available here. A few months ago, however, I was jonesin' for a Dr Pepper. They're not sold here, of course. But today I went to Jumbo (a big-box Chilean retailer) and found a whole section of imported American products that were part of a special sale. They had Dr Pepper for $0.90 a can! I bought two and rushed home. Then I remembered that this altitude-sickness medicine I'm on alters one's sense of taste, especially of carbonated beverages. So the Dr Peppers are waiting in the fridge for when I get back.
Bolivia sounds like it is going to be amazing, and I will have plenty of pictures when I return!
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The chronicles of studying abroad in Santiago for all of 2007.
5 comments:
Mateo,
When you get off the plane in Bolivia, take a moment and get a cup of coca tea. The locals use it to help adjust to the altitude. Many of the working people chew coca leaves while they work. I think it started when the Spanish made they work in the silver mines back in the day. I loved the mission trip I took to Bolivia and hope to return someday.
Dick
If you want to check out a China mission trip blog for the next three weeks, go to http://www.mytb.org/cardiackid
We leave today and will spend 2 weeks in Zhongdian, China teaching English as a second language. The group is from Southland Christian Church in Lexington and we will work for Food for the Hungry. Take care.
Dick
So glad you had a visitor. I am really enjoying reading your blog and miss you a lot. I was wondering if you are visiting every country in South America?...Shelia
Mmmmmm! Dr.Pepper in Chile. That does sound refreshing. Good luck on your Bolivian adventure. I'm sure it will be quite the experience. T is lining out her and Anita's visit in late Sept. Looking forward to apartment photos and especially photos from Bolivia. G
You might not want to mention sodas to your dad. Last Sunday, we ate with a 14 year-old, an eight year-old, and their mother - all from Mexico. Your dad asked them how many sodas they drank each day, and proceeded to tell them how unhealthy they are. The fourteen year-old may not have had another sip. Her glass was at least 3/4 full when we left! I'm proud of him for trying to help them eat healthy, but it has made interesting conversation! I'm so happy you are going to Bolivia. That is a place I would like to see, but I will be content with Chile and Argentina. Love, Anita
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