You know the saying “everything happens for a reason” and “A negative situation should always be turned into a positive situation”, on this part of our journey both sayings apply… We have been in La Paz for about four weeks now, not that I’m counting… quite allot longer than anticipated!!!
When we both decided to visit our friend from Oz, who lives in La Paz we thought we were catching up for one or two weeks. We were waiting on an air pump to arrive at our hostel in Arica, Chile that David had purchased online from the USA and it was taking forever to arrive. So, we thought let’s go to La Paz, Bolivia!!!
Things were going swimmingly, coffee dates, lunches and even dinners catching up with our friend and discovering this amazing place he calls home. Then BMW called a worldwide recall on the front forks for our motorbike. The recall itself wasn’t such an issue, it was the fact that because it was a worldwide recall everyone from everywhere wanted this part which was making it hard to find. Unfortunately, BMW La Paz didn’t have the part in stock so we had to have it ordered from Germany via Mexico via Santa Cruz to eventually arrive in La Paz…. ETA 14th of August. ☹ During this time, by pure coincidence David discovered another recall for our BMW motorbike on the clutch slay cylinder. I think he realized this recall by reading some BMW forums on the internet and finding an oil leak on the bike in the same place. So, this also had to be fixed… The guys at La Paz BMW have been fantastic communicating with David as to what is going on and trying to help fasten up the process, knowing our situation.
So, we have had plenty of time to tour around La Paz, trying some of the local foods, taking up Spanish lessons, exploring the markets, churches, museums, death road and partaking in so many of the local activities. Not to mention getting used to the altitude and lack of oxygen up here. For me this has taken a bit of time to get used to, well over a couple of weeks (I think a few days is the normal amount of time) . And even today I am still sometimes short of breath walking only five steps. We both have had constant colds, sore eyes, blocked sinuses and slight chest infections, using so much nose spray, cough syrup and me having a few penicillin injections to just feel normal. I’m not quite sure how the locals do it. They make it all seem so easy. But it is getting better. ????
So, getting back to my opening lines of the two most appropriate sayings for us on this part of our journey, it has all worked out okay. I mean sure we have had a few issues with the bike but isn’t the end of the world!! Putting yourself out there into unfamiliar grounds, getting things done and change…… Don’t talk to me about change!! Anyone who knows me, knows that change for me is one of the hardest things to overcome. I am happy with my little routines, my safe way of living and when that gets mixed up with change and plans being out of whack it shacks me up. So, for me this is one of my biggest accomplishments and something I hope to overcome on this travel adventure. We have met some awesome people here in La Paz, at the hostel we are staying at rendezvouslapaz.com the staff and other travelers passing through from all over the world have been interesting and fun to chat with (and it’s been great for David and I to practice our Spanish…) And not to mention all the amazing times we are having catching up with our mate from Australia. ????
