Rate of exchange:
Currently, but always changing, $7.16/1 Boliviano.
Transportation:
Getting from place to place is pretty easy. We generally have two options (Unless Matt & Elsa or Nate & Kate and their cars are around): Taxi’s or Truffies. Taxi’s a little bit more expensive (10Bs or so), but generally less of a walk. Truffies (1.50 Bs) are public transportation like the CTA. A bit different because although there is a route, there are not designated stops. This is very convenient.
Shopping:
Andrea went on our first solo grocery shopping experience here in Bolivia. It was a lot of fun and a pretty basic grocery store. Although they prefer us to shop at La Concha (huge open air market) sometimes this becomes a bit inconvenient and we are willing to pay a bit more at IC Norte. Here are a few differences we found interesting:
-Ramen Noodles were about .60 (U.S.)
-Fruitloops were $60 Bs
-Ragu pasta sauce was $42Bs
Spanish:
Tina is a Bolivian woman that many of the interns are taking Spanish classes from. I was not really wanting to do this as I have struggled in Spanish classes before and selfishly was hoping to not have to take classes for awhile as I have just graduated J but also realize it will greatly help my ministry. Although it is cheap, it is an added ministry cost I had not considered. ($50Bs/$7 US)
Altitude:
We are much higher in Bolivia that any where in the US this effects a number of
things.
-Constant nose blowing
-Frequent lose of breath
-Cooking is very tricky
-Headaches seem to be a frequent
MORE TO THIS SOOOON....
1 comment:
As far as Spanish classes, I think you might have better luck this time around. Being immersed in a language and speaking it all the time has been shown to be one of the most powerful ways to learn, even if it starts out hard. The act of hearing and speaking the new words every day reinforces the language in your mind very quickly. I hope you do well!
As far as the latitude, it sounds like the end of acclimatization, aka, getting used to the altitude. Headache, nosebleed, shortness of breath, and dizzyness are all symptoms of altitude sickness, which can vary from very mild (headache) to very serious (not the kind of thing you'll ever have to worry about). Give it another week or two, and you should be feeling much better. :-)
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