Reflections on Bolivia

Well, I’m finally en route back to LGA, the place where this whole journey started 30 days ago. I can’t believe how quickly the month has passed. It really does seem like just yesterday I said goodbye to my family and navigated my way through airport security headed for La Paz. Yet, I cannot believe how much I have done and seen since then. And, although cliché to say, I have learned about myself as well.

For one, I am surprised at how well I adjusted to living on my own in a different country. Prior to going to Bolivia, I anticipated a fair amount of culture and language shock. I even prepared myself for nights of feeling lonely and just in case, I packed lots of comedic movies to lift my mood and bring familiar American culture to my lonely Bolivian bedroom. However, I can happily report that I did not need a single one of those movies, and although I missed my family and certain aspects of life in the U.S., I was happy— really happy— in Bolivia!

Mostly, I believe my avoidance of culture shock is due to the amazing group of friends I had with me. Joanna, Erica, and Annie are some of the most open, fun, and caring individuals I have ever met, and I am so lucky to have had them with me! – So if you guys are reading this, thank you so much for sharing this experience with me and making it what it was!! You are all awesome and I will miss each one of you!

I was also surprised at how welcoming Bolivians were to us “outsiders.” In other countries, I have felt slightly less than welcome: weird tourist stares, inappropriate comments, etc. However, in La Paz, people really couldn’t care less where you are from, or what you are doing in their country. As far as they are concerned, their lives are too busy (and probably too interesting) to really care who you are. That sense of anonymity really helped me feel like a regular, Bolivian resident.

Another important lesson I have learned while in Bolivia concerns healthcare. Regardless of the problems of our healthcare system, I am so grateful that we have all the newest technology, treatments, and facilities at our disposal. Yes, there are major flaws with our medical system, but a child would never be refused necessary treatment because his parents could not afford it. Can you imagine living in a country where you know there is a treatment for your child’s illness, but there is nothing you can do for him/her simply because of where you live? Yet, despite the drawbacks of their medical system, Bolivian parents and patients are so kind and gracious for what they do have – a refreshing but sad reality.

Perhaps this is just a mild case of reverse culture shock, but immediately upon my entrance into Miami, I noticed that American culture includes an aspect of attitude and perhaps snobbery. Although it’s probably an unfair generalization of my fellow U.S. citizens, one of the first things that struck me in the airport was, gosh, Americans are rude!! In particular, a few custom agents and some passengers made me miss the quiet respect Bolivians have for one another.

Funnily, upon my return, I also had to continually remind myself to speak in English! I have become so accustomed to using simple Spanish pleasantries such as, “Hola, buenos dias, gracias, etc.” that I find it strange that people here speak English! Haha! My Spanish skills have undoubtedly improved while in Bolivia; however, I still wouldn’t describe myself has conversational (maybe at most minimally conversational). I mean, I can get my point across, but my verb conjugations still require a fair amount of thinking before speaking. I believe it would take me a minimum of 4-6 months living in a Spanish-speaking country to really develop fluidity of speech. Maybe we spent a little too much time speaking English with each other? Alas, I hope to continue to study/practice Spanish here at home.

Ahh! As we speak, we are starting to descend into the New York area, and I can't help but smile. Mostly because I know Peter will be there waiting for me, but I also feel a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I had a wonderful time in Bolivia and wouldn't change a thing. I now have countless memories and experiences that are absolutely priceless. I gained confidence in my ability to rely on myself and have fallen in love all over again with the values of travelling and experiencing the world. Bolivia is undoubtedly a beautiful country, and I am grateful to have visited such a place. The people, the landscapes, and the culture have so much to offer, and I consider myself lucky to have experienced the even the smallest amount.

Thank you, Bolivia, for opening my mind and for providing me with a wonderful home over the past few weeks. You are an inspiration, and I am humbled and gracious to have known you.

All the best,
♥ Mallory

Last Day

Well, we said our goodbyes to Erica and Annie, who are on their way back to the states. My room is just about packed up. And it’s almost time for me to bid farewell to Bolivia. I’m surprised at how sad I am to leave La Paz. I feel like there is still so much to see and so much to learn!! The time here has gone by too fast!

For my last day in La Paz, Joanna and I are going to bum around the city for the day … We are going to start with a yummy waffle breakfast at the new Dutch restaurant, then we’ll hit the markets one more time for last minute souvenirs, and finally, we’ll head down to Zona Sur (the wealthier side of town) for some window shopping and a relaxing dinner before heading home in the morning!

Days of Lasts

Wow, my time here in Bolivia has really flown by!! Today is a day of lasts in Bolivia. I had my final day in clinic and soon I will attend my last Spanish lesson. In addition, sadly, I will also have the last dinner with my fellow students who have made this trip what it was. Annie and Erica are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning, so tonight is our last hoorah with the four of us here in La Paz. Cheers! ♥

Last Week in La Paz

Though I can’t say that Hospital del Nino is as beautiful as the Salar, this week in clinic has also been inspiring! I am working with Dra. T, who is a specialist in Sindrome de Down (Down’s Syndrome). The children who come to the clinic are the sweetest kids I have ever met – they love to give hugs and kisses and are sooo much fun to play with! La doctora is fantastic with all the children and is so encouraging to the families. With her help and the aid of different services, many of these children complete school, attend university, and some are even bilingual! Wow!

... This is probably the perfect rotation to round out my clinical experience in Bolivia! :)

Weekend of Bolivian Wonder

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve had time to sit down and write a blog entry, but at last, I find myself with a few minutes to reflect on the past week. Today is Wednesday, Sept 1st, which means I will be back in New York in 4 days!!

I think this past week has been my favorite here in Bolivia. Last weekend we ventured down to the Salt Flats of Uyuni, drove through the gorgeous mountains, and visited with flamingos, vicunyas, and other faunal residents of the Bolivian “wilderness.”

I cannot even begin to explain the natural beauty that we witnessed. The multicolored mountains, the vastness of the Salar, and the brilliance of the lagoons left me speechless. It was the kind of place where there is literally nothing to say but, “Oh my gosh, its so gorgeous!” and then repeat. I must have sounded like a broken record, but really, I did not have any other words to describe the emotion and awe I felt in our surroundings. And although I took plenty, pictures never do such landscapes justice.

We spent our first night on a bus – yes, it was an 11 hour bus ride from La Paz to Uyuni. Luckily, the bus was fairly comfortable if only a little bumpy.Plus, the recline-able seats, leg rests, reasonable heat, and Dramamine allowed me to sleep through 75% of the night.

In the morning, we arrived in Uyuni, had a quick breakfast, then eagerly climbed into the jeep with our team: me, Heather, Annie, Ruben (the driver), Nenna (the cook), and our old friend from Copacabana, Quik (the guide)!

Our first stop was a train graveyard. At the start of the desert, there is a deserted rail line, with abandoned, rusted, graffiti-ed train cars. Not very exciting, but interesting I guess? Next, we headed to the Salar – and oh my gosh, it is absolutely gorgeous! Although in our pictures, it appears as if we are in a vast expanse of snow, the blinding whiteness is all salt!! We stopped at an island in the middle of the salar to have lunch and take some silly, but oh so fun pictures in the Salar.

Later, we spent the night in a hotel made completely of salt – how cool?! Admittedly, when we first arrived at the hotel, we were a little weary as it is literally in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the tiniest, deserted town. But once we saw the inside of the rooms and heard they had hot showers, we were game! All the walls, furniture, and floor are made completely of salt! Talk about cuteness and charm ...

The following day, we woke up early enough to see the sun rise, then headed out to see the colored lagoons. Although not appreciable in the pictures, some of the lagoons are home to specific species of algae that make the water appear pink! What a sight! The lagoon was also full of flamingos (who apparently get their color from eating the algae?)!!

That night, we stayed in a ¨hotel¨aka icebox. After a freezing night with no hot water, no heating, and minimal warm blankets, we woke up at 5 am and drove to the nearby geysers – Ack, it was sooooooo cold, but also so worthwhile to arrive at the geysers with the sun rising, and the moon still hanging on for the last few minutes of nighttime (or first moments of the morning).

Once thoroughly chilled to the bone, our next stop could not have been planned better: a soak in natural hot springs! Though the run from the car in our bikinis to the water was quite a sight, the heat of the water was more than worth the pain!

We did and saw so much, that I can only give you the highlights here, but between each destination, there were awe-inspiring landscapes that frequently prompted us to stop our car so we could get out, take pictures, and wallow in the splendor of nature. One stop even included rock formations that are rumored to be the inspiration to many of Dali’s paintings!

Now, I know that I haven’t traveled to many countries, but this weekend absoltely convinced me that Bolivia has to be home to some of the most beautiful, unspoiled landscapes in the world!