Let me tell you, it has been a long week for me. We left Huanchaco, Peru on Saturday afternoon. We left for Lima on Saturday night. We were on a bus all night (8 hours to be exact). In Lima we had the day free. From 9am to 9pm. 12 hours in my favorite city what could be better? I even got to see my ‘Brother’ Martin!
Sunday night we left Lima for Arequipa. This was a 17.5 hour bus ride. I was blessed to sleep most of it, but it was still a long time. When we arrived in Arequipa, we had 30 minutes to pretty much unload one bus and get on another. This time we were on a bus for 6.5 hours to Puno. Monday night we finally get to sleep in beds (the previous two nights were on a bus). Puno, Peru is on Lake Titicaca which is at an elevation of 12,400 ft. And because of this, I was sick with altitude sickness. No fun.
Tuesday we spent in Puno. Well I spent most of my time in bed. No appetite, sore body, hard to breathe dizziness, the snot in my nose was bloody, and diarrhea. Wednesday it is time to head to Bolivia. We get on a bus and drive 2 hours to the border. Spend a couple hours going through immigration. Then on the bus for another 3 or so hours to La Paz.
Wednesday I’m still sick, and La Paz, Bolivia is the highest (in elevation) of any capital in the world. Just my luck! At the hostel I stayed in bed once again. At 11:30pm I was awakened abruptly when I knocked my water bottle off my bed. And it was then things got worse. I was up until 1am in the bathroom (I am sure you can guess what). Finally at 1am was feeling well enough to get back to bed and slept until 6am.
Thursday was another bus ride. 8 hours to be exact to get to Cochabamba. Not really looking forward to it. At this point I am on altitude sickness medicine. Still no appetite and the bano (bathroom) seems to be my best friend. (Though it is not a mutual friendship by any means.)
Thursday night we are in Cochabamba and still not feeling better. I have eaten little in the last week. Only some bread and drank some Powerade. Whatever I do eat makes my stomach abrupt in war and then it passes right through me. I go to bed Thursday night restless. And wake up Friday not any better. Friday we get orientated with the restaurant ministry we get to do this month, but I am ordered to rest. And then it is decided that this is something more serious than altitude sickness….
Came back early from Ministry and sent in a sample to get tested. The probable guess? A parasite of some sort. Well the results of my sample came back and negative for parasites. That leaves my sickness still unknown. Another possibility that was brought up was an amoeba.
Things seem to be getting better. More appetite and food consumption. I hope things just keep looking up from here!
Here is driving through Bolivia and Lake Titicaca
