Arrival in Cochabamba

Monday December 12, 2005

11.12.2005 - 12.12.2005 -17 °C

Hello all, I just wanted to send a quick email to let everyone know that I am here in Villa Juan XXIII, just outside Cochabamba. I found a local internet "cafe", minus the cafe. I am all in one piece, but a bit tired and frazzled. My adventure has started out more adventurous than I would have preferred.

First of all, they didn't let me get on my connecting flight to Bolivia (something about they didn't have my luggage on board so I couldn't get on) so I had to spend Saturday night (and the next day) in the Miami airport, which was not fun. They booked me for the following night's flight. So not only was I complete dirty, hadn't slept for two days (cause I didn't get much sleep on the plane either) but when I got to Santa Cruz today.... no luggage! So, I got to Cochabamba this afternoon via my third flight leg and Joaquin, the director of the Runawasi program, met me at the airport and drove me back to meet my family.

Their daughter took to me right away, and she is cute, but has thrown about three tantrums so far, including running off with the pictures I brought and refusing to share. Quite a set o' pipes on that one. The parents names are Flory and Feli de Cossio. The señor is an abogado (lawyer), and they are very nice. I'm actually living upstairs in a separate apartment with the Señor's aunt, Juanita (short for Juana), and I like her very much. The house is extremely nice and I have my own room. Here is the view from the front:

And here is the view from the door to Juanita's apartment, where I slept. Every morning I am amazed by the view of the Andes, they look so close!

Then Joaquin was nice enough to take me to the supermercado so I could purchase some soap, shampoo, etc. So, I have showered, but then I had to put my dirty clothes back on, and I have to sleep in them and wear them again tomorrow. Excellent. Also, it´s REALLY hot here today, and I've got on wool socks and hiking shoes. Yeah, it's killing me. I just want my flip flops! I guess the temp does vary, but it´s not the best day to be stuck in my travel clothes.

I guess there are only seven students in my school. I get to meet them tomorrow, hope they are cool and will want to hang out. I think Joaquin said I'm the only American. Also, I'm the only one who's staying over the holidays, which is a bit disappointing, but should be more comfortable in my new surroundings by then.

Hope this message finds you all well, and I will be in touch!

Posted by Laur456 16.10.2008 19:15 Archived in Bolivia