Thursday, August 21, 2008

Altitude Side Effects

Our favourite altitude side effect is sluggish thought processes. Good excuse, eh?? "Lack of oxygen" is quick to exit our mouth when we can't remember something or we screw something up. It doesn't work with the few people that knew us elsewhere, we haven't really got any worse (thank God!) but it's helpful with our new acquaintances!



Nausea, shortness of breath and headaches are mild but were rather consistent for our first few days. The shortness of breath comes back quick still, just walking up a flight of stairs or talking too fast makes us stop and pant a little. Mom can attest to this - I spoke to her a few days after we arrived and I had just walked up a dozen steps to our friend's Vonage phone. Everyone has told us not to exercise at all for atleast 30-45 days.



The side effect that's been bugging John and I the most has been insomnia. John's been taking mild sleeping pills which don't seem to be helping too much. I tossed and turned all night last night so went back to bed this morning after getting the kids on the bus. Slept two hours and now I think I feel worse. Oh, well...had to give it a try.



There may be a shortage of meat here in La Paz as the farmers in the lowlands are threatening to stop sending meat. Ahhh! Third world country...divided country. Keeps one on their toes. Dominga and I are going to go to the market after lunch and hopefully stock up. We have a full size upright freezer here at the house with lots of room. Hopefully there will be meat there to stock it with. I refuse to buy the llama meat though! :-)



Somehow, John's secretary was able to squeeze us in an appointment with the local Internet provider. They're supposed to show up tomorrow morning and John's supposed to stay home to help coordinate the installation. Internet here is slow and expensive. We had to pay for six months in advance...a bummer if we're only at this house for four months but you do what you have to! So Kim, I'll call you at work tomorrow morning if they show! They tried to set a 7PM appointment time...what are the chances that the guy would show up at 7PM on a Friday evening? Ha!



John and I went to the school for the High School Orientation. No big surprise...the girls' teachers are delighted with them. They're in the same Spanish and Philosophy classes together. John got "told" by the Spanish teacher for not speaking Spanish to the girls. She told him it was a crime! Hee Hee! He agreed then walked out with a smile but his head hanging a little lower. Funny how being scolded by a teacher still stings even when she's the same age as us!

Well, time for lunch...leftovers from the dinners I haven't had to cook. Yeah!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have fun! You have such an exciting life and your kids are going to have so much to remember. Love you guys but miss you terribly. Kathy

patsyrose said...

I hate (not really) to say "I told you so" but I've been telling you for years that it's a darned shame that you and the kids haven't learned to speak Spanish fluently. Tell John I'm waggling my finger in his direction because he really should be hanging his head in shame.

luvluvluv

Kim said...

can't wait to hear your sexy breathless voice
xoxox