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Hello my fellow readers,
"Is it 2029?" was the first thought that came across my mind when we finally landed in Miami, Florida. It was only a 3 hours flight, but yet it felt like 10 years layover flight. I was so very excited and anxious about the upcoming trip that I could barely sleep; instead I stared out the darkness in window. It was forever. Approximately 5 hours before, we were hugging and saying good byes to our parents. We excitedly loaded the bus and before we know it, our trip has begun! Good thing we were flying out from the Austin, instead of Houston like last year so we don't have endure the 3 hours of driving. After the timeless flight to Miami for a layover, the airline workers approached us after taking off the plane and offered us a deal we couldn't refuse! The free cart ride to our next gate, and it ended up being a good thing because apparently our gate was miles away! It also bought us some time to grab something to eat for our last meal in America! L The flight from Miami to Santa Cruz, Bolivia wasn't as bad as the first one. We departed in the nighttime so most of us slept during the flight. However, we all didn't really have good night worth of sleep, as the flight was relatively short, almost 7 hours.
The ground shook and roared as we officially set ourselves on the ground of Bolivia! And so it begins! When we got off the plane, we were definitely given a very WARM welcome! (No pun intended) The humid air blasted our faces and it was warmer than we'd have thought it was here. We went through the visa/passport process and soon enough we all had our passport stamped! We, then, met our fabulous tour guides for the day: Isabel and Paul! Isabel Goyita was born in Bolivia and later moved to Venezuela. She followed her brother, who lived in Maryland, and stayed in the USA to go to Maryland School for the Deaf. (Interesting tidbit: She was in the same class with Nyle DiMarco!) She left in her junior year and lived in Bolivia since then. Paul was born in America but moved with his family back to Bolivia. He later returned to Maryland to enroll MSD for a year before coming back here. Both guides knows very good ASL so it was very helpful! We started our day in Santa Cruz by going to our first deaf school of the trip! The first school we visited was a good learning experience for all of us, especially the first-time travelers. The campus was fairly small and we interacted with many young kids under the playground pavilion. We chatted, tossed balls, and played around! The kids were unbelievable and it inspired us.
After our first stop, we stopped by 24 September Square, a plaza in the downtown. The square was filled with beautiful and bold greenery, different kind of trees. On the ground, there were tens of pigeons flocking around the food. Paul was kind enough to buy us multiple bags of food, and it was a thrill! The sensation of pigeon's beak rapidly tapping our hand was just so weird and ticklish! Pigeons also landed on our hand and arm, and it was rad! We stopped by a restaurant for lunch, and we ate our first `Bolivian cuisine. The first course was chicken soup with a random piece from a chicken. Jayne got the torso part, including the ribs! Some of us got chicken's testicles! Wilmonda got the foot part, 3-pointed talon! Next dish served was chopped onions and tomatoes on the fried egg and beef on rice. Most of us preferred the second dish to first.
It wasn't expected but we got an invitation to visit other "deaf school"! It was a school for both older kids and special education. We really enjoyed the visit because the students from hair styling class offered to braid Ashlene, Ashley, and Rebekah's hair! Meanwhile the boys enjoyed by playing the match of soccer with students under the scorching hot sun! We won the match, 5-2 by the way. ;) We weren't done with the deaf people for the day yet! Our next stop was local deaf club, named ASOCRUZ, where we met bunch of deaf Bolivians! Some were young as we are and elders, and it was glorious hours we spent there. We gave a powerful speech to expose the youngsters, and we also played some games. Telephone line game was very funny. We exchanged the heart-warming gifts, and it was time to say good byes. L
We went back to the airport to catch our flight to world's the highest capital city, La Paz! We all had a productive day running on around 5 hours of sleep or less! We all are looking forward to have a shower and snooze off!
See you all tomorrow! - Nevan G.
- comments
Kristen johnson Great story!! Thanks for update!!
Lina Great update!
Karl Enjoyed the update!
Harvey Awesome! Look forward to reading more!
Mary Hi thanks for your blog. It helps me to be aware of bcz I plan to go to Peru and Bolivia this summer. Already made reservations of lodgings. I’d like to know the exact name of hostel where y’all stayed in La Paz. I read ‘International Hostel’ but it’s not found in Booking . com. There are several hostels in LaPaz. Much appreciated!
Susan Jealous! But glad you all went!!