24th year

We survived the "elections" here in PC Bolivia and things are relatively back to normal. The week after I got back home, I planned a birthday party for myself by attempting to bake some 'american' goodies and have people over for coffee. I was sung happy birthday and got my face smashed into the cake, but my only picture of the evening is this one,

with mistura (paper confetti) all over my head. I don't think I've ever explained mistura, but it is a strong tradition for anyone who is being celebrated: whether that be a birthday, or Mother's Day, or Teacher's Day, or First Communion or everyone for carnaval. At least it is easier to get rid of than glitter, but you can still find it in your room a month later.

After the party, I left for vacation trying to celebrate my 24th milestone of a year, all of which (minus a 2 week trip home) I spent in this country. Just another year, but I wanted to spend it matching up what I love about this country with something I like to do for me. So, I went hiking, or if you are cool, then you say trekking. Trekking sounds cooler I suppose. I met up with two other volunteers that were on their way out of the country and we scrambled up some gear to embark on the El Choro pre-incan trail that leads out of La Paz down into the humid cloud-forested Yungas valleys into a small town called Coroico.

We summitted the highest point on the trail (16,100ft) within an hour and spent 85% of the rest of the trail descending to below 6,500ft. Uphill can be challenging, but downhill is very hard on your body. By the second night our bodies were one huge cramp and despite the dampness amongst the mist without a tent, I slept great. The world-famous "World's Most Dangerous Road" takes the same plunge from La Paz to Coroico basically just a valley over from the trail, but as I found out on the way home in a small trufi from Coroico back to La Paz, the NEW 2-lane paved road is complete and that other one (in internet pictures) is basically only for bikes now.



The second to last picture is a typical shot of what the trail looked like: a wide paved ´road´ sloping downhill, occasionaly it was stepped, and in other parts narrow and muddy. The rocks were nice and slippery in the mist too, so it was a game of slip and slide mainly adding extra gripping strain on the muscles. This last picture is the morning of the 3rd day, with 2 hours left to reach the end of the trail. We stayed in Coroico and hobbled around trying not to look sore, but that was hard considering the town is up and down. The highlight was the slate-lined hot tub that we soaked in under the stars...so if you come visit it could be on the itinerary. Ok, well that's a quick update for now...it may be the last of the pictures for awhile because my camera battery has died...maybe it got to wet on the trip or maybe it was just time...it has served me well for the past 5 years.