STEPHANIE MORK

One week down and it feels like I have been here forever! Granted my Spanish could use a little a lot (!) of improvement, and I could be more comfortable getting around – but so far so good. I am thankful for my experiences of living in new places and adopting new normals living at camp, moving around in college and my various stays in other countries. It becomes easier to adopt new ways of doing life each time.

This week I spent most of my time learning about the city and being introduced to the work I will be doing as well as learning about Bolivian culture and history. The majority of my work will consist of researching, writing and observing. My tangible takeaways will be a few articles in a newsletter for an organization focused on child sex trafficking and abuse and my research will be about creative and sustainable water solutions as well as information about violence against women in Bolivia. This is probably subject to change as is most public health work, but that is what I know for now 🙂

Here are my favorite things about La Paz so far:

– It’s so chill. Its unlike any other city I have experienced. People are really friendly, public transportation is fairly easy, and I feel safe. Most people also don’t look twice at a white girl or pay much attention to me which is a lovely relief to (for the most part) blend in.

– The public transportation system is basically a gondola cable car type subway system. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen or experienced and it is the biggest transportation system of its kind in the world. Its really smart too – with 11 lines it makes commuting calmer, faster, and cheaper than buses or cars. Since La Paz is really hilly and mountainous, it makes so much sense to travel this way instead of on the ground. The views are just incredible too – mountains and sky and city for as far as you can see.

– My host mom – Olga. She’s the sweetest. She is patient with us learning Spanish and cooks amazing food. Olga is attentive and kind and cares for her students as she would her children. She brought me to the store this week to buy slippers because my feet are always cold 🙂

– This is lame, but accessibility to little luxuries. La Paz is fairly modern. I bought nivea lotion and peanut butter and oreos the other day. There is also a Burger King and a Cinnabon across the street from the apartment building I am living in so first world food cravings can be satisfied at all times. I know I can survive without luxuries but its nice nonetheless.

Overall, I think I’m going to like it here. I am learning a lot about public health in Bolivia and am looking forward to learning more about the culture and history of this unique and beautiful country.

Until next time.