Manana manana

So it appeared that “manana manana” was my mantra in the days leading up to my departure for La Paz but soon enough, it was 3:30am and my bags were packed. Running on an hour sleep, I made my flight and was en route to La Paz with stops in Los Angeles and Lima first. My fingers were crossed that once in LA, I would be able to switch to an earlier flight out of Lima, saving me from a 30hr travel day. Luck was on my side and not only was I able to change to the earlier flight but even with a short connection time in Lima, I was also able to catch that earlier flight; the only downside is that my bags did not make it with me and so I wait (note: while typing this, my luggage arrived - yay!)

As usual, the altitude is definitely slowing me down – La Paz sits at 3500m with the airport at 4000m. Not five minutes had passed since I had disembarked the plane that I could feel my heart beating fast and I was feeling slightly light-headed. To adjust to the altitude (and to shake off this cold that I seem to be nursing), I have been enjoying copious amounts of coca tea and ginger tea that should get me back on track over the next few days. The plan for here is to take it easy, although I do have to write a midterm tomorrow for the course that I am taking by distance, and then be ready for a fun festival this weekend in the city of Oruro as they celebrate Carnaval.