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"What a fantastic education they have both had; there is no better school."

World Challenge 2014, Bolivia - Blog

15/07/2014

Arrived safely after 2 long flights. Got to our hostel where we will be staying the night and booked our bags in. All just eating pancakes ready to explore La Paz. All in good spirits.

17/07/2014

Arrived in Copacabana today after a longish bus ride and also a small boat journey. We take a ferry over to Isla Del Sol to start our acclimatisation trek tomorrow. Everyone is dealing with the altitude at the moment but tomorrow will be our most challenging part of the expedition so far.

20/07/2014

We have just got back from our acclimatisation trek on Isla Del Sol and just back in Copacabana before we go back to La Paz later. All managed to complete the trek although there were some very challenging parts which tested some of the students. The best part of the day was watching the sunset at our camp site 4100 metres above sea level. It is very cold today and no sun so all the warm clothing that has been packed is coming in useful.

21/07/2014

We are just about to leave to go on our main trek - Apolobamba. This will be a challenging 4 day trek where we will reach 5100m above sea level. All students are looking forward to it if a little concerned about how challenging it will be. There will be no further communication for the next 6 days but we will give an update on how the trek went when we can.

26/07/2014

Wow! We now know why they call it World CHALLENGE. All students managed to complete most of the trek although some parts on horse back and parts in a jeep. Everyone completed the last day. It involved lots of high climbs, some scrambling and some very challenging descents many with snow on them. All of our aches were swept away as we enjoyed a relaxing time in a natural hot spring. A few tired people but we are now back in La Paz for the night before making the journey tomorrow evening to our project site. A enjoyable time so far.

27/07/2014

All are feeling nicely relaxed after an easy day in La Paz sorting stuff ready for our trip down to Uyuni. Paint brushes, sandpaper and shelves have been purchased ready for the work we will be completing. The students have also been preparing lesson plans for the orphans and are looking forward to delivering them. We have had to change our itinerary slightly and are now doing the salt flat tour before our project work due to a clash with another group in the area. We are not sure of the connection in Uyuni so there may not be anymore updates until the 5 August.

01/08/2014

We have just come back from out salt flat tour which has been very good. We visited the salt hotel as well as spent a night in a hostel made of salt. Many have purchased souvenirs made from salt. We saw much of the Bolivian desert and its many lagoons. Today we also visited gysers and the hot springs of which some bathed in. We are looking forward to the start of our project tomorrow.

03/08/2014

We have just completed our second day on our project at the orphanage in Uyuni. We have been tasked with painting two boys' bedrooms and building some football goals. So far, the goals have been made and a good game of football has also ensued. We have also filled, sanded and painted the first coat on both rooms. Tomorrow we intend to get a little more creative with the painting with a jungle theme in the young boys' bedroom and a stylish abstract theme in the older boys'. We have also been teaching some English, maths as well as some creative subjects. We have also been learning plenty of Spanish along the way!

Students have requested that we put down what they would like for their welcome home meal. Watch this space.

Adios for now!

06/08/2014

A couple of hectic last days and students enjoyed purchasing souvenirs from La Paz yesterday before heading out for a final group meal of pizza. Our final day at the orphanage was well received with the students putting on a performance for the orphans before distributing the gifts they had brought with them. The orphans were very grateful.

We are now waiting to board our flight in La Paz.

As promised below are the students meal requests (not expected to be met :-) ), although many will just want a bed after lots of travelling.

  • Millie - Chinese or roast
  • Rachel - Sunday roast
  • Sophie B - cornbeef hash, sweet corn, creamy mash potatoes and cheese sauce
  • Liam - roast potatoes, sausages, Yorkshire pudding and gravy
  • Sydney - surprise
  • Georgia - chicken stir-fry
  • Joe - lasagne
  • Oliver - fish and chips
  • Tobi - Chinese and fruit salad
  • Aimee - Caesar salad and sushi
  • Alice - Jewish chicken soup
  • Alicia - roast dinner
  • Mathew - Axe & Clever
  • Lizzie - Mum's tuna pasta bake and a nice crispy apple
  • Maisie - sweet and sour Cantonese chicken, egg fried rice and strawberries and cream
  • James - sweet and sour Cantonese chicken with boiled rice
  • Lydia - chicken stuffed with pesto and mozzarella wrapped in bacon with oven baked chips.
  • Sophie W - Jug & Bottle

All of the students have lots of stories and memories and they are looking forward to sharing them.

Hasta luego