Long awaited but finally here

After what has probably been the worst travel nightmare of my life I can honestly say arriving in Bolivia has been nothing short of breathtaking. Initially planning to do the Choro Trail with most of the group, American Airlines sought to it that I remain in purgatory for 3 days, forced to watch the rain in Miami for what began to feel like and endless amount of time. However, being so concentrated on just leaving the states I was beginning to forget why I was so excited to be in Bolivia from the get go. This being my first time in South America I was aching for an eye-opener, a world and mindset that I had never come been a part of. 

Missing the Choro trek and arriving in La Paz on the 19th, I was surprisingly content with discovering a new city on my own for a day or two. Walking through the hustle of what I couldn't help think was a heartbeat city, I could not get enough of the liveliness that my first two days in La Paz brought. From the close packed houses on the mountain side that lit up city like fireflies, to the salteñas and coca mate on the street I began to feel an anticipation that I finally had made. I won't deny that my first night was in Bolivia was a little rough. Having spent so much mental energy focusing on the anticipation, arriving was so bittersweet. I kept thinking how far from Colorado and my comfortable life I really was, how for one of the first times in my life I was truly on my own. I missed and for a little while questions my own intentions and emotions. 

However, after a day with some random German travelers I began to feel like this trip was meant to be. It isn't till your truly alone that begin to create your own way. Spending a day with those whom I had never met, I began to realize that most of us are just searching for something, anything to obtain that feeling of ultimate content. From Marco to Anna, or even Alberto my mental boarders slowly began to fade and I saw myself similar to so many others that I couldn't help smile. But after that short stay it was off to Coroico for the experience of a lifetime.

Oscar and Lee picked me and Henry up from our hostel in the morning to head out for Coroico. Seeing the various neighborhoods on the way out of La Paz my heart was pounding and my stomach had an uneasy feeling, but not the bad kind. "This is it, this is it," I kept telling myself, it was finally happening.  Finally reaching the point where the worlds most dangerous road began the and the new paved road continued, we naturally opted for the dangerous way. I don't think I'll forget Oscar saying "dont buckle your seatbelt, that way if we fall off it will be easier to get out." Needless to say I took the risk clinging tightly to the hand grip as Oscar whipped through every curve of that road. Chewing coca in the back and keeping my eyes up front, I let it all go. I realized this is the time to embrace the things which you cannot control. I could have chose to think about falling off the mountain side or panicked the whole time, but it would have been worthless. Nearing the end of the drive and pulling into Hotel Esmeralda with eyes wide, I made it. Through all the bumps and barriers testing my character, I made it. Can't wait to see what Coroico and our program will have in store for me and everyone I'm excited to share it with.