First days in La Paz

Hola todos! So I arrived in La Paz early on Saturday morning. It's not as cold as we expected it to be, but everyone has been warning us to prepare for the cold winter which typically sets in mid-June. The altitude hasn't been too bad either--we have all just been really tired (and occasionally winded from one flight of stairs). We spent our weekend walking around La Paz and becoming acquainted with banks, grocery stores, cafes, etc. The city of La Paz is very active and the streets are always crowded with people, microbuses, minibuses, trufis (cars with specific routes), and taxis. Lots of public transportation!

On Saturday night we went to La Fiesta del Gran Poder, which is a huge street carnival with dance groups, bands, and STREET FOOD. I had a choripan (chorizo burger) for 6 bolivianos, or less than 1 USD. We were lucky to have arrived just in time for this event, it was a great welcoming!

Right now I am at a cafe translating our focus group discussion guide over a typical Bolivian lunch: quinoa soup, saice (spicy meat dish), and dessert. This week we are meeting with our Bolivian collaborators and the clinics, revising our research instruments, and looking for an apartment. All of our collaborators (and everyone here) have been so warm and friendly so we're all very excited to get started working in the clinics.  More updates and pictures to come!

Lauren