Second time around FIRSTS!

Well, my familia, I’m finally here in my beloved Bolivia! The trip here was VERY long, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. For those of you who didn’t hear, I didn’t leave MN until the 7th…a whole day later. I was scheduled to leave on the 6th, but due to the foot and a half of snow in Chicago, and because that day’s flight to Dallas was booked, I had to leave the next day. Which turned out to be perfect, because it gave me a chance to go to church once more and Pablo (Wara’s younger brother)’s cell phone arrived from eBay so my parents didn’t have to ship it down! I also got the Christmas card and gift from my cousin that day….and my paycheck! So, pretty much all in all it was a very successful day.

Day One: 2/7/2008

I got to the airport around 11:30 am, and had no problems going to my gate. For breakfast I had some yummy Chinese food. :) Then, we took off around 1:30, arriving in Dallas around 4. When we got to Dallas, I had to quick get out of the plane, and rush to my next gate because I had only 40 minutes to find it and board. I got to take the sky train thing and got to my gate only to find that it was overbooked and so they were handing out some vouchers.

So, around 5:25 we took off and landed in Miami around 8:45pm. I got off the plane and walked around like 20 minutes in this boring, deserted hallway to gate E. My only option for food was pizza hut. I used up all my calling cards there at a phone booth...calling my parents about the carryon problem on my previous flight (oh yeah…it had to get checked all the way to Santa Cruz because there were no more overhead bins with room ).
Then, around 10:45 or so, about 20 minutes before my plane was scheduled to leave, I go up to the front desk to find out if I could possibly get my carryon back…but instead I find out that I was at the wrong gate…they switched it to Gate D. So, I rushed to Gate D…praying that my asthma wouldn’t act up in this humidity…because my inhaler, etc. were in my checked carryon! I actually made it to the plane just in time. The doors closed behind me and a few others! They were checking the rest of the people in the line’s carry ons below, so that pretty much answered my question! So, we took off for VVI, via La Paz around 11:20pm!

Day Two: 2/8/2008
Finally, around 7am, we arrived in LA PAZ, BOLIVIA! my very first views of Bolivia are posted below from a plane window!:)

I was at the VVI airport (Santa Cruz Bolivia) for almost 4 hours!! SO BORING! (I took some pictures while I was there, and they are also posted below!:))

I called Wara at the VVI airport and checked some emails online…only had ten minutes though. IT WAS SO SO SO HOT!!! Then, I got some ice cream cappuccino drink and also saw ‘Raquel’…who recognized me, but I didn’t know who she was. I mean I recognized her too, but couldn’t remember anything…she said her mom worked at the Capilla…so for you Capilla alums and students do you remember her? I should have taken a picture of her…but wow…didn’t even cross my mind for some reason! :(

I arrived in my beloved Cochabamba around 3pm…had some trouble getting my luggage…I let it go around like 4 times before I finally realized it was mine and around one more time before I finally grabbed it! I got all four of my bags no problems. I walked out into the beautiful Cochabamba airport with Wara, Patita, Eli, Mr. Camacho, and Mrs. Torres! It was so bright! I was SO HAPPY!!! I was pretty warm there too. Then, Mr. Camacho, Wara, and I went to eat at the Asbum’s (sp?) house. YUMMY!!!! I even got to have an amazingly fresh peach!!! SO GOOD! Then, we headed to the Camacho’s house and I got myself settled in and organized all my stuff. Their house is so big and amazing! I love it!

I cannot believe this all actually happened! I half expected myself to wake up this morning (2/9) and see my room in MN!! :)

Day Three: 2/9/2008:

I am currently sitting on my bed here typing this and wondering where/when on earth I will be able to post this on facebook and myspace. Today, I slept in until about 12pm, and no one is home. Wara left me a note saying she’d be back around 12…but it is now 3:45…so, who knows…hehe I am going to hang out with some of my girl friends from school today…hopefully. Today is Carnaval and there are marches, and people throwing balloons…I remember going to the corner stores in Bolivia before Carnaval and filling up water balloons with my neighbors and sisters! Fun Times! We used to go out driving around the city with big ole’ buckets in out truck and throw them at people…but then one time Allison got hit by a really hard one, and we never got to go out again! :(

But yeah, anyway, today for breakfast I had some yummy Bolivian bread and pil brand milk!!! YAY!!! :)

So, I’m going to end this now…it’s about 3:50pm….so, yeah hasta luego peeps!:)

Love,
Emily:)



p.s. pictures are on snapfish.com! :)