Anyone been to La Paz, Bolivia?

[wifi4lyfe]

I'm going to La Paz, Bolivia on Saturday to volunteer in some hospitals for 4 weeks through a program my univ. recommended. Just wondering if anyone else has been and has any tips for survival, getting around, things to do in free time, etc. I took spanish in HS and knew it pretty well, but I havent really used it since, so I've been reading up a bit the last week, but still feel overwhelmed with being immersed in another language as I've never done this before. I'm sure I'll pick it back up really quickly so I'm not too worried about that. I got all the recommended shots, have some meds for in case I drink the water, eat bad food, etc, but other than that I just have clothes, toiletries, a family to stay with, my laptop, and a hospital to go volunteer at......I'm both nervous and excited at the same time. Oh and I also have Diamox for altitude sickness, since it's 10K+ ft up!

care to share experiences??

 

[jagec]

I grew up in Ecuador, and went to boarding school in Quito. Not as poor as Bolivia, but similar in many other ways.

DO boil/filter the water. Even if the supply is A-OK, the pipes won't be. Even the locals boiled their water in Quito.

As for altitude sickness, I wouldn't want to rely on medications. You'll probably have a headache for the first day, and won't be able to run for quite a while, but your body adjusts. I could jog around the base camp of Iliniza Norte when I was aclimatized.

Pickpockets: LOTS of them. Have a plan, have a dummy wallet, have copies of everything and emergency cash stuffed somewhere. Remember, some ofthose guys are good, so use common sense and make sure that it's impossible for them to access your money and papers without you knowing about it!

I don't know La Paz, but you probably want to ask around to find out what the "bad" parts of town are. Normally not a problem during the day, but at night it's good to know.

And keep in mind that everyone's corrupt, so don't count on the cops to bail you out. On the other hand, you can get them to look the other way with the right incentive...

 

[wifi4lyfe]

cool, thanks for the tips! The alt. sickness meds were recommended by the program, and you only take for the 1st 3-4 days to help you acclimate much faster, should be OK.

I bought a money belt on amazon the other day (goes around your waste and has a pocket that goes on the inside of your pants, probably near groin). I realize these things are extremely nerdy, etc but my friends who went abroad said they are a godsend for hiding your money, cc's, passport, etc. Is this a good idea or is there something else thats better?

any/all tips and info are appreciated and welcome! thanks.

 

[wifi4lyfe]

anyone else?

 

[AlienCraft]

Since it's been so long since I've been in that neck of the woods, I'll just say that I agree with the water filter thing.
20 / 20 hindsight says that a water filter in strange and distant locals is the what decides where you spend your time there. :Q

 

[wifi4lyfe]

yeah they told us to not touch the water at all except for showers. Dont brush teeth with it, dont have ice, and definately never drink it. Bottled water for everything. Apparently bottled water is about $.20 american a bottle there, niiice.

 

[wifi4lyfe]

t-12hrs! :-/

 

[WildHorse]

Here's the short briefing on Bolivia updated March 2007:
Well worth a read

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: jagec
I grew up in Ecuador, and went to boarding school in Quito. Not as poor as Bolivia, but similar in many other ways.

DO boil/filter the water. Even if the supply is A-OK, the pipes won't be. Even the locals boiled their water in Quito.

As for altitude sickness, I wouldn't want to rely on medications. You'll probably have a headache for the first day, and won't be able to run for quite a while, but your body adjusts. I could jog around the base camp of Iliniza Norte when I was aclimatized.

Pickpockets: LOTS of them. Have a plan, have a dummy wallet, have copies of everything and emergency cash stuffed somewhere. Remember, some ofthose guys are good, so use common sense and make sure that it's impossible for them to access your money and papers without you knowing about it!

I don't know La Paz, but you probably want to ask around to find out what the "bad" parts of town are. Normally not a problem during the day, but at night it's good to know.

And keep in mind that everyone's corrupt, so don't count on the cops to bail you out. On the other hand, you can get them to look the other way with the right incentive...

Rick Steves online store sells a special wallet that you wear under your pants.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneybelt.htm
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catal...seaction=product&theParentId=124&id=32

Carry your passport and docuuments in a neck pouch under your shirt.
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catal...eaction=product&theParentId=124&id=157

Here are some tips.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/theft.htm

 

[sdifox]

you can always chew coca leaves to combat altitude sickness. That's what the natives do.

 

[wifi4lyfe]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: jagec
I grew up in Ecuador, and went to boarding school in Quito. Not as poor as Bolivia, but similar in many other ways.

DO boil/filter the water. Even if the supply is A-OK, the pipes won't be. Even the locals boiled their water in Quito.

As for altitude sickness, I wouldn't want to rely on medications. You'll probably have a headache for the first day, and won't be able to run for quite a while, but your body adjusts. I could jog around the base camp of Iliniza Norte when I was aclimatized.

Pickpockets: LOTS of them. Have a plan, have a dummy wallet, have copies of everything and emergency cash stuffed somewhere. Remember, some ofthose guys are good, so use common sense and make sure that it's impossible for them to access your money and papers without you knowing about it!

I don't know La Paz, but you probably want to ask around to find out what the "bad" parts of town are. Normally not a problem during the day, but at night it's good to know.

And keep in mind that everyone's corrupt, so don't count on the cops to bail you out. On the other hand, you can get them to look the other way with the right incentive...

Rick Steves online store sells a special wallet that you wear under your pants.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneybelt.htm
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catal...seaction=product&theParentId=124&id=32

Carry your passport and docuuments in a neck pouch under your shirt.
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catal...eaction=product&theParentId=124&id=157

Here are some tips.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/theft.htm

LOL I have that moneybelt sitting right next to me. Cost me like $10 on amazon, great purchase

as for the alt sickness, I start my dose of Diamox later today (acetazolamide). Supposed to help you acclimate much faster, hope it works! I was contemplating just not using it and getting that coca tea, but that seems sketchy

thanks!

 

[hurt]

Originally posted by: wifi4lyfe
as for the alt sickness, I start my dose of Diamox later today (acetazolamide). Supposed to help you acclimate much faster, hope it works! I was contemplating just not using it and getting that coca tea, but that seems sketchy

thanks!

Coca tea is good stuff! It really helped me out when I was there. Definitely take a day or so to get acclimated. I helped move some heavy boxes at the airport there and ended up with the absolute worst headache I've ever had from the altitude sickness. The coca tea definitely seemed to help out a lot.

Also, if you get carsick easily, the road from the airport to the city is winds around a lot and is pretty steep. That did me in also.

But it's a really neat place. I'd love to be able to go back again someday.

 

[Old Hippie]

Coca tea is good stuff!

I'm sure it is!