HERE at last

I am here in La Paz, Bolivia. The highest elevated city in the world!
I flew yesterday from Boston to DC, then to Miami and then finally to La Paz. We had a bit of a delay so I did not arrive until 10:30ish pm. I sat next to a very friendly woman on the plane who is from La Paz but was visiting her son in New Jersey. She also speaks fluent English. 6 hours later we arrived and I had to go through customs and get a visa etc. Difficult when no one speaks English but I managed to skirt by on the few phrases I know- "I do not understand" was a huge one! After all that I walked through a sliding door and saw people waiting for their loved ones. Then I saw a man holding a sign with my name on it. I approached him and he took me to his taxi. This was very movie (esk). He picked up his cell phone dialed a number, said a few words in Spanish and then handed the phone to me. "Hello! welcome! How are you?" it was the voice of the woman coordinator that I had been emailing back and forth. So nice to here her voice- it made the whole scenario a lot more comfortable. She told me that the driver was taking me to my home- Casa de Gloria. And that she would pick me up in the morning at 10am to take me to the hospital where I would be working. We arrived to Gloria's house and I was greeted and shown my room. The house is very spread out.. many rooms and steps here and there and windows and plants growing. I will post photos soon. I was brought some coca tea (sp?) to help with the altitude.
In the morning I woke up to my phone alarm 8ish and walked to follow the voices in conversation. I approached the kitchen and was greeted by three other foreigners. One older woman who was a previous professor of Spanish in Maryland who arrived on Friday. One gal about my age who is studying Speech Therapy in philadelphia who also arrived Friday and another gal who had been there for a couple weeks. Everyone was so friendly. Speaking Spanish and helping one another with the language. I was given a bannana with yogurt and some yummy bread with a variety of spreads and more coca tea. These women are not in La Paz to study and volunteer as well but through different organizations. I am the only one who networked through REACH BOLIVIA and the founder- Iris.
Quickly I changed my clothes and sat to do some journaling. Then Iris (the coordinator/ founder) came and brought me to the orphan home and then hospital. I dont know if I can even describe the hospital and children. They are in need of a lot and there is not a lot being given to them. First I met with the doctor who met with me about art therapy. I then went to meet the "adults" who are children ages 13-18 who have mental disabilities and some physical. I was immediately approached by one girl who hugged me and would not let go and then another and another. Within 30seconds I had 3 children all around me. They have such little stimulus while at the hospital that they just attack people when they see them. The doctor has agreed to set aside 7 of the 14 children who are more able for me to work with. Tomorrow I will see them in groups of 2 and observe their motor skills to identify what art media/ projects could be beneficial.
Next we went to see the younger children. These children have SEVERE disabilities. From severe autism to lack of movement in 2 or more of their limbs. One of the girls also in the program with me plays with the children, Christine. There is so much to write about my experience with them for that 2 hours- it is overwhelming and very sad. I will maybe write more about this another day.
At 2 Iris took me for lunch and we talked about the plan for my time here. She then took me to get a phone card so I have a bolivian number now! If you dont mind the fee, feel free to call me- 011-591-79582441

Now I am at her office, where she is giving Spanish lessons. I begin my lessons next week. The two girls having lessons today are the other two in my program. They are both studying Fashion design, one from Paris and the other from Canada. She let me use this computer. Then she will take me home where I will most likely pass out. There is just so much to take in- I am very tired. Tomorrow morning, Iris will pick me up at 8:15am and take me back to the hospital where I can start my evaluations of the "adult children". Then lunch and soccer watching with the other 3 girls and then Salsa dancing later that evening!

Okay, Iris is done- I must go.