Granted entry
Trip Start
Jun 25, 2008
1
2
22
Trip End
Dec 17, 2008
Well I made it. The plane ride was torture a long night sitting straight up. The swiss couple had already moved in to my window seat and were sleeping by the time I boarded so I got the isle which sucked but I didnt want to make a scene to start the trip. Well I walked off the plane at 13000 feet and kinda hoped I would pass out, just to have a good story. But actually I couldnt really tell a difference and didnt need the standby oxygen tanks. I stood in line for immigration and got to the front only to be taken out of line to get my visa. Luckily the woman meeting me was already there and the visa was easy, the mandatory proof of economic independance, mandatory yellow fever vaccination, proof of a return flight, were never asked for. The man at the immigration window was wearing a sweatshirt that said šI dont give a (picture of a rat) and a (picture of a donkey), Dont get me wrong-it was really funny. But not exactly good customer service. The woman that picked me up found us a taxi and the air was cold a crisp and felt so good after 110º >The city of La Paz is incredible. It is a winding journey down into a bowl of red housing on every hill and overlooking it is Mt. Illimani (snow peaked andes) and it was sunrise and absolutely gorgeous. Although the poverty was quite obvious on the way down the mountain, my host family here lives in a beautiful apartment with every luxury we have. In addition there are two maids that have made me food, tea, offered to wash my clothes, and clean up after me. It is something I think would be easy to get used to:-) Things will change this weekend because the school I am going to is in a poor neighborhood; I am going to enjoy this treatment while I can.
