"The aim... is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."
-Aristotle, philosopher and scientist
December, 2016 - Imagine a world were every third person you see on the street is above the poverty line, and TWO out of THREE are poverty-stricken. One out of those two would also be living in extreme poverty, "a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information."
In this world, one in five people you meet live without the enabling power of electricity. One in ten won't taste the cleansing relief of pure, fresh water. And HALF of the people you run into don't even have a sewage connection to take away their own waste...
Imagine this world. Now squish it between two nations who each have almost four times the average GOP of this world. A central deprivation betwixt two relative luxuries.
You're in Bolivia.
In this world, one in five people you meet live without the enabling power of electricity. One in ten won't taste the cleansing relief of pure, fresh water. And HALF of the people you run into don't even have a sewage connection to take away their own waste...
Imagine this world. Now squish it between two nations who each have almost four times the average GOP of this world. A central deprivation betwixt two relative luxuries.
You're in Bolivia.
Even with the facts seeming grim, there is a lot in this struggling world that inspires and warms and delights. It's important to note that most metrics of "Good" and "Bad" are purely relative and subjective to one's personal judgments and experiences. Bolivians live in a startlingly gorgeous world, rife with an enormous variety of fantastic foods and organic vegetation exclusive to their territory, a rich and vibrant cultural pride which blankets the society, and sprawling, stunning landscapes that are truly unlike anything else in the world that I have seen.
Bolivia is starkly and beautifully unique to a thrilling degree.
And while traveling, I have repeatedly found two opposing yet complimentary excitements that can take place, one when you find a place that reminds you of home, and one when discovering someplace that shares very little with it.
Bolivia is is one of those "someplaces" that is very, very different from my home.
And while traveling, I have repeatedly found two opposing yet complimentary excitements that can take place, one when you find a place that reminds you of home, and one when discovering someplace that shares very little with it.
Bolivia is is one of those "someplaces" that is very, very different from my home.
That said, I found it to be a delight for my camera (and my stomach).
But seriously, doesn't some of it just look like another planet? You can just picture a spaceship landing and a light-saber duel unfolding in some places...
But seriously, doesn't some of it just look like another planet? You can just picture a spaceship landing and a light-saber duel unfolding in some places...
The society in general, like Peru, felt quite closed to outsiders, and hesitant to engage, despite my sorry excuse for Spanish. We lucked out, though, in having time to spend with some friend's of Daniel for our interview.
The family we were fortunate to have interviewed lives in a more developed La Paz neighborhood that hosts the first (and only) international chain restaurant I saw in all of Bolivia (Subway, for interested parties).
Bolivia boasts a plethora of organic, fresh fruits and vegetables at local markets. The company's "Eat Fresh" slogan seemed silly and ironically out of place and as US-based fast food joint in the midst of such remarkable selections of straight-from-the-dirt food.
The family we were fortunate to have interviewed lives in a more developed La Paz neighborhood that hosts the first (and only) international chain restaurant I saw in all of Bolivia (Subway, for interested parties).
Bolivia boasts a plethora of organic, fresh fruits and vegetables at local markets. The company's "Eat Fresh" slogan seemed silly and ironically out of place and as US-based fast food joint in the midst of such remarkable selections of straight-from-the-dirt food.
Although their home sports any number of modern conveniences that other sections of the country lack (rendering the house on par with today's standard of living) the shortage of educational and medical opportunities is as prevalent here as it was throughout the rest of the nation. In fact, we were told on both sides of the border that medical patients in Bolivia are regularly advised to head to Argentina for treatments, where federal healthcare permits free hospital care that is too expensive for a majority of the population on the Bolivian side. It can often cause problems for Argentina (even where foreigners aren't using services), but we were also told that "that's just the way of things right now."
It was an interesting admission to hear... Seeming to support that positive change is neither imminent nor worth the fight. I'm sure that wasn't the actual intended sentiment, but that's just how it felt to me.
I cannot recall having seen a larger sea of sad faces than in Bolivia... There are so many wonderful things about this very special land, but my strongest memory of the 2.3 million people on the street are their sorrowful expressions, and their reluctant outreach to foreigners.
On the bright side, we met some truly enjoyable people, had a blast making cookies with new friends (flat, silly little things that collapsed under the 12,000 ft elevation (see below)), explored new terrain, and stuffed our bellies with new favorites (namely, the famous trancapecho (literally translated to "chest clogger," a fabulous, carbivoric, high-calorie masterpiece comprised of rice, cheese, potatoes, veggies, two kinds of meat, a fried egg, all on a thick-bread sandwich... Oh... my... goodness...) and as-fresh-as-can-be strawberry sorbet (where they actually blend newly picked strawberries into shaved ice). The allergic reaction was VERY worth the indulgence...
As with most things, there are and were exceptions to the perceived norms (including our door-opening family whom we interviewed, and our bus administrator turned buddy-in-La-Paz), but for someone who felt very sensitive to the emotional ambiance of those bloated streets, I just felt more like an outsider in La Paz than I had at any point on the road.
All things considered, I believe deeply and truly that ALL things work together for Good in the end. I don't believe everything happens for a reason, but I believe you can find a reason for everything that happens. I believe in the human heart, even when there's little evidence to support it. I believe in the Why's behind the What's. I believe that crying is as important and valuable as laughing. I believe in human love, and it's mysterious power to make change.
These people have something special that I wish I had the time to have explored deeper. With time, earning trust, I have little doubt that the spirits of these people would have warmed my own, changing both of us for the better.
These people have something special that I wish I had the time to have explored deeper. With time, earning trust, I have little doubt that the spirits of these people would have warmed my own, changing both of us for the better.
To hopefully activate that change, we are traveling the world. Meeting, talking, and learning how to be better humans. Everyone can make a difference.
We have a promotional video for you to see at the fund raising site for our mission!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! For coming along, for taking steps everyday, for being YOU. Thank you.
We have a promotional video for you to see at the fund raising site for our mission!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! For coming along, for taking steps everyday, for being YOU. Thank you.
Explore the world. Make it better.
In sincere and deeply appreciated gratitude, we would like to thank those donors who have decided that what Daniel and I are doing isn't entirely crazy. In the name of anonymity (nice little pun, there), they remain unspecified. But even so, their generosity in monetary contributions, enthusiastic encouragement, homey accommodations, and yummies in our tummies certainly merits mentioning. Thank you!
For those donationally curious minds who feel compelled to also contribute (anything from foodstuffs to funds to words of affirmation), by all means visit our website and watch a video here!
We are also looking for a housing opportunity in July September outside of the Schengen Area of Europe, where we can work on interview content and photos until our visas can be renewed and we continue. Feel free to write us if you have any friends who want to be our friends!
We are also looking for a housing opportunity in July September outside of the Schengen Area of Europe, where we can work on interview content and photos until our visas can be renewed and we continue. Feel free to write us if you have any friends who want to be our friends!
To Daniel's dear friend and the focus of our interview, we express our appreciation to you and your family for your openness and willingness. This project needed you! And it is better because of you. Thank you!
To my family (both biological and by marriage), who puts up with us vanishing for weeks on end, who inspire me and tolerate me and love me (especially when I don't feel I deserve it) I feel so thankful. I don't need to list names to say how much your words, written and verbal, have warmed me and left me feeling like maybe (just maybe) I have something good to offer this world.
To my patient and caring friends (both years in the making and those I made as early as last week), who may feel abandoned or misplaced while I'm gone, or who simply wait patiently for my eventual return, I'm so grateful to know that when I do go back I can super--duper-squeeze every... last... one... of you.
Thank you for waiting.
Thank you for waiting.
And lastly, we thank YOU, dear reader. Friend, family, or future companion. We love you for coming with us, and making our journey special.
Don't forget to visit our How to Help page to see where YOUR difference can find footing.
Don't forget to visit our How to Help page to see where YOUR difference can find footing.
Like the photography?
There is more to see than a post has room for!
Click the links and take a gander at our internal gallery and Instagram account!
LOVE it? Visit Daniel's store here!
There is more to see than a post has room for!
Click the links and take a gander at our internal gallery and Instagram account!
LOVE it? Visit Daniel's store here!
So... Where were we????