La Paz

JG: Some cursory touring of La Paz so far, and the city is great. Chaotic but subtly civil - it's been nothing but good to us.

We tried some rappelling when we got here, which someone mentioned to us during our last stop in Peru. I guess I'd always passively wondered what it was like to scale an actual building, and so Thursday we got that chance - from 17 stories and in full costume, no less. Sandy took me golfing yesterday for my birthday, to the course known as boasting the highest altitude in the world (yes, it did wonders for the distance off the tee). I could think of no better birthday gift.

We're out of pocket for a few days starting tomorrow - doing some mountain climbing at nearby Huayna Potosi, which takes us up to ~6100m (just shy of 20,000 feet). This will be one of the more difficult things we do. Have I mentioned I'm afraid of heights?

SS: 17 story building!! Geez...
John dressed as Captain America and I was Catwoman, we successfully proceeded down the building like pros! Then congratulated ourselves over a few beers as we watched other scaredy-cats throw themselves out, secretly snickering.
All in all, La Paz is a pretty cool city. Great restaurants, easy to navigate, beautiful scenery, people are friendly, lots of adventure, and still really cheap!

JG: We searched far and wide for a costume of a Canadian superhero - there was no Mountie, Sasquatch, or Ogopogo outfits to be found, so she settled on Catwoman...

Breather

JG: Leaving Copacabana, Bolivia shortly. No postings due to sketchy wifi. Stayed here for 4 nights to catch a breather from the logistical whirlwind - yesterday marked 7 weeks on the road and Sandy and I counted we've slept in 18 beds and on one overnight bus ride during that stretch. Other than a day boat trip to Isla del Sol and a ~8km mostly uphill @ 4000m (12 400ft) hike through some ruins, we've been taking in the small town and catching up on some sleep (this altitude is no joke). And Sandy has continued her fixation on strange animals and consistently wants to take stray cats and dogs into our hotel room, which this time by the way, was a quirky and impressive facility where no two units are the same. Next stop is a 4-hr bus ride to La Paz, where some serious adventure lies ahead.

SS: I may have adopted my own dog here (Max) and maybe a sweet little kitty (Garfield) but they are such amazing animals and just need some love. I'd give them a bath and let them sleep inside if John would let me.
The altitude is serious here. Walking up stairs leaves you breathless, never mind trekking mini mountains. As we head to La Paz and start some crazy adventures we will have to prepare ourselves for another 2000m (6200ft) for a total of 6000m (18600ft) with only 45% oxygen. Let's see if Gil can cut it! Haha - kidding.
We have been relaxing in a totally pimped out pad for a rockstar price of $35/night (splurging) that is complete with private hammocks, huge room, kitchen for breakfast, fireplace with plenty of wood, massive comfy beds that overlooks Lake Titicaca. I'm not sure if it gets better than this. You will all be proud of Johnny - "I am MAN, ME make fire!" His fire building skills are pretty good.

Oh, quick update - John's one shaved temple and one cockeyed sideburn are almost grown back in, but the "design" will still need a few weeks.

Leaving Peru (2)

JG: Some Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu pics attached. Took a 530am bus ride to the site, soaking wet until the rain cleared up a few hours into it....