November 10
Day 56

Culture shock. Bolivia is unlike anywhere else we've been. Although each county has been different and enriching in their own ways, there have been none like this. Bolivia seems to be a mixture of a way of life from hundreds of years ago, and one verging on modern. Walking through the streets, we pass by people totally unlike each other in any way. Short, stout little women, wearing layered ankle length dresses and tall decorative hats. They carry their children on their backs wrappped in pieces of colorful thick banded material. Then there are teenagers with shorts and Pink Floyd t-shirts (doubtful they know who Pink Floyd are) eating popcorn and taking selfies on their phones.

We drove an hour and a half on a bus going about 10 km/h to a small village that was known for its local Sunday market. We walked the dirt road to the main square along side donkeys and bulls to where the vendors were. The streets went from barren, to crowded with people and merchandize everywhere. I wish so much that we could've photographed everything around us, from the ladies, whom almost all sported two thick braids which fell just above their hips, to the goats and sheep being herded through the pathways, but every photograph taken had to be accompanied by permission. The reason for that being, many of the people believe that when a photograph of them, or of their livestock is taken, it takes away a part of their soul as well.

Today, Colby and I volunteered at an orphanage. It was both an amazing and heart breaking experience. Even though I'm now covered in spit up and smell like baby food, I hope we find other opportunities that are similar. We head to a city called Potosi tonight, and then onwards to the biggest salt flats in the world.

I find it hard to believe that it is snowing in Canada right now, even though its getting increasingly cold here as well because of the altitude. Right now we're at about 2750m above sea level and tonight will be at over 4000. This means the views are amazing, and our breathing comes with much difficulty, but worth it no doubt.

November 1
Day 47
Paraguay was a short voyage, but no less amazing. We crossed the border into Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. A city that envelopes every aspect of 'a border town'. Busy and over populated. Busses and cars crowded the streets, while motorcycles weaved in between and around them. My mom described the hostel we stayed at as 'her limit', that she could cope with the dirt and bugs but wasn't sure if she'd stay in a place much worse. I found the place to be cute, and treasured the air conditioning dearly, even though it happened to be dripping on me all night, and made a lovely damp pillow for cockroaches.

Colby and I had been put in charge of organizing both Paraguay and Bolivia. We figured a few days in Cuidad del Este was all that was needed and then headed up north. After some confusing Spanish phone calls, and a very bumpy bus ride we found our selves at 'Reserva Naturel Laguna Blanca', a nature reserve populated by a group of interning nature nuts. Each intern had their own project, all very different and amazing in their own ways. We were lucky enough to have the opppportunity to volunteer and help with the projects in any way we could, which was probably more fun then work for my family. With piranha fishing, scorpion hunting, searching for monkeys and catching opossums, we were opened to a whole new world and were able to learn about how nature works in the different ecosystems. This of course was mixed in with a lot of swimming, and kayaking in the most gorgeous lake I've ever seen.

I loved everyone we met during our stay at the reserve. There was an amazing combination of  a very laid back environment with down to earth, happy, welcoming people which made it so hard to say goodbye.

Were now back in Argentina, taking the time to see the northern part before venturing into Bolivia. It's only a few weeks until we pick up my cousins and uncle in Lima, Peru, and they join us for a month. Although I love my family so much, I'm beyond excited for my cousins to come and to be able to talk to someone other then the same four people.