Last two days in La Paz

07.20.2004

Hard to believe it's been ten months already. This was certainly a growing experience — living almost a year in La Paz, Bolivia. I got quite a bit of dissertation research done (though less than the ideal amount).

Not much left to do; I'm almost all packed & ready to go. Tonight I've dinner w/ Daniel & Silvia & Luciana. Tomorrow night's the despedida at O Mundo Café (if you're in La Paz, you should come). Then a 4am taxi ride up to the airport to meet American Airlines flight 922.

Despite missing Michigan (who'da thunk, eh?), I had a pretty good time in La Paz. Sure, there was a political meltdown in October. And the craziness that came after. But. I suppose that if you're writing a dissertation on Bolivian politics, arriving just prior to October & leaving just after the gas referendum is a smashing success, wouldn't you say? Lots of writing material. And suddenly my dissertation has more "relevance" (let's hope that translates into "tenure track position").

Posted by Miguel at 02:13 PM

Comments

i am surprised at how much I miss Michigan as well...

Posted by: sam at July 20, 2004 11:08 PM

Turmoil in Bolivia (La Paz) is pretty much a day to day affair, as far as I can remember it. One just lives with it! :-)

Posted by: MB at July 21, 2004 04:11 AM

Enjoy last days, and have fun in Kazoo before we get there. I am going to a village tomorrow, so I'll be absent for awhile from internet world. have fun, nenad

Posted by: nenad at July 21, 2004 05:30 AM

Hey, u've had quite an adventure. You did great, throughout everything. Well done!

Posted by: Stephanie at July 21, 2004 08:34 AM

I hope you aren't like me and leave everything till the last minute. I hate leaving Bolivia because I never seem to know when I'll return. I think you arrived just as I was leaving to return to the U.S.

The reintegration to U.S. life was difficult, especially getting used to the lack of an overabundance of public transportation, paying more than 1 dollar for a three-course meal and the hurried pace of life. Obviously there were things that I missed about the U.S. (live music, getting larger paychecks that allowed me to save a bit, and better choice of opportunities).

But, when people ask me which I like better: the U.S. or Bolivia, the answer is always "depends".

Posted by: eduardo at July 21, 2004 05:07 PM

P.S. Thanks for making me a little less homesick for Bolivia with your daily posts.

Posted by: eduardo at July 21, 2004 05:09 PM