August 28, 2011

Life is good in Bolivia! These last weeks found us being driven away from school multiple times OR being called to the Office to either sign our names and give fingerprints all for work visas. All the newbies have also made multiple trips to either a hospital or a doctor’s office all for the work visa. For the “physical” at the hospital we had to give a urine sample, have our blood drawn, stepped on the scale for a kilo and height check, had our teeth examined by a dentist who asked us what our degree was in and what was our highest degree, in addition to a chest X-ray (everyone wears the same privacy robe!!)!  Whew! The hospital was “downtown,” which is uptown–one can truly tell the difference in altitude! Four of us “seasoned” teachers had an appointment with a cardiologist this week for an EKG and an increase in our blood pressure medicines to adapt to the altitude. I believe the increase is helping. Another trip out from the school was to Interpol–creepy offices, which had been at one time very beautiful! The atmosphere was very sedate and quiet; we were asked our mothers’ and fathers’ names, where we were from, our weight and height, signed our names again many times,  and then had to have nasty ink on every single digit for the fingerprints — took multiple washings plus nail polish remover to get it off! Yes, this was ANOTHER set of fingerprints in addition to the fingerprint session at the Office at school. Quite adventurous trips! We are always driven by our school driver, Marcos — a delightful, happy Bolivian!  At least throughout all these trips we are seeing more of the city!

At last we are in our new home in La Paz. Here’s a few pics of our adventure from our wake-up call in Stapleton at 3:30 a.m. Thursday (7/28/11). [Note: We’re just now, after 2 weeks, connected to the world via Internet; however, it still takes a LONG time to upload!]

Ernie waiting in the Admirals Club at DIA and on the plane from DIA to Miami.

BJ trying to communicate at the Admirals Club in Miami–this was a VERY long layover of 9 hours! 

Here we are flying into Bolivia. Lake Titicaca is the first picture (we were probably over Peru).

Now we’re heading down from El Alto International Airport, the world’s highest international airport at 4,050 meters.

It’s been two days at high altitude (11,500);we’ve consumed about twenty cups of coca tea each.

No major headaches just a lot of shortness of breath. It has been very sunny every day. Our apartment is “cool” in the literal sense. Right now it’s 66 and I’m wearing a hat–the hat does make a difference! Space heaters are high on our list to purchase very soon. If I am wearing a hat, you can guess what BJ is wearing around the apartment. Yesterday we went to a mall, very modern, the Mega Center. Had a great lunch – grilled chicken ranch sandwich and tomato soup and iced tea. We then found a store that sold household supplies. When it came time for check out, our US credit cards did not work, but they took dollars–need to find an ATM soon! We did not have Bolivianos to hit the grocery store, Ketal. The school provided us with food for the weekend and the PTA had some delicious baked goods for us, too! 

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Today we slept in! I think it’s the altitude and the stress we worked through the past month or so. Our bed has been a bit of a challenge, it’s a double! For a couple that has been sleeping on a king for six years, and while we were in Tripoli–a super king–it has been reeducation. We have queen sheets in our shipment and a queen in the guest room. Since we only have the sheets from the school we are waiting until the “anticipated” arrival of the shipment bins to change beds. Today also saw our first walk to school. It’s down hill eight blocks. Explored the school. ACS is a great campus, all brick but a lot of stairs. The school has a nice gym and indoor pool close to their theater. Looks like BJ and I will be on opposite sides of the campus. The walk up the hill was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. We didn’t set any speed records but we arrived there just fine and even walked a bit farther up the hill. Couldn’t go to any stores, they are closed on Sundays. Called home from our apartment. Very good connections. Much better than standing in line at a pay phone like we did in Bogota in ‘94! Wow, I have written twice! Miracles do happen!