Creature Comforts

I guess when you first go to a new country there are a lot of things you over look. Not that you necessarily take them for granted but they just don't stand out because you've seen them in pictures or you haven't had time to absorb everything. After being in Bolivia for several weeks things are starting to poke their heads out and say "hey, over here. Look at me"! Thanks to friends, family and a camera here are some basic things about that have stood out so far.

Everything builds on something else in a society so if you take a look at houses for instance, they are very different. Apartment buildings here don't go much higher than 10 stories, most are about 4 or 5. I haven't been in one yet that has an elevator so you can imagine walking up that many flights with your groceries and I don't even want to imagine moving. That might be why once people move into a place they don't want to move out again. It's not uncommon for people to spend most, if not all of their married life in the same apartment.

Buildings are mostly a combination of brick and concrete. Roofs are often corrugated metal. Yes the roofs leak when it rains but not as badly as you would think. Many houses have washing machines but don't use them. Most of the laundry is done by hand (I miss a wash machine). Houses have rooftop terraces for drying the laundry. Because La Paz gets a lot of sun, these are also places to relax.

Hot water here is a luxury. Because gas is bought in tanks like you would buy for a barbeque or to go camping, hot water is not available throughout the day and you have to turn on the hot water tank about 15 - 20 minutes before you take a shower so its not freezing cold. Even most of the hotels don't have hot water all day long. Dishes are washed with hot water from the kettle.

Houses also don't have heating. I'm not talking about central heating, just any kind of heating so bundle up. It's cold in the morning because ventilation in the houses is also just a hole in the wall. Literally, a round hole in the wall of the kitchen and the bathroom serves as a vent.

Once you settle in, its the things you take for granted that start to stick out. When your hands start to get chapped from washing your cloths and you're constantly sniffling because there's no heat you miss the comforts of home. And your friends and family of course!