Copacabana, Bolivia, Day 1

Alrighty, the internet here is slow and expensive so I don`t have much time. Things have changed since my last entry though, and things are great. I´ve officially been in South America for a month! And I´m officially in Bolivia!

Copacabana is such a nice little town. It`s very small and friendly, and the only vehicles on the streets are taxis and buses, so it`s very tranquil, full of pedestrians and cylists.

My journal from earlier this afternoon after I arrived:

¨I`m sitting on a beach in Copacabana and the water is glistening, there are carefree hippy types all over the place, tour boats share the slips with fishing boats and paddleboats, two women behind me are singing this sweet sweet harmony and strumming their guitar. I love the sound of the water lapping against the shore, the breeze, the tranquility of this place. Copacabana, from what I`ve seen in 3 hours, is touristy because of it`s proximity to Isla del Sol, but very laid back.

¨I finally caved and bought one of those South American cowboy hats. God knows how I`ll lug it around, but I love it and don`t care. I also just bought a leather pouch from a hippy street artist, perfect for change, good luck charms, whatever, and it´s on a short string so it`s closer to my core, safer.

¨Already I´ve seen how amazingly cheap things are here in Bolivia. My lunch cost me CA$2.75 and that was expensive for around here. I looked into prices for a day tour of Isla del Sol, which always includes transport to and from Copacabana and a multitude of Inca sightseeing, and they all charge 20bol, or CA$2-3.

¨My hostel, Alojamiento Emperador, is so bright and full of colour. When I walked in a little girl and (probably) her mother jumped up from their laundry with a smile and got me a room. The walls are bright pinks, yellows, greens...it`s wonderful and cheery.

¨I´ve been sick a bit today so I was afraid my day would be crummy again, but since lunch I seem to be ok (after taking a couple pills, fingers crossed), and I love love love that I can just sit here and enjoy the atmosphere. I love big water. I´m afraid I´m torn between cowboy and pirate at the moment.¨

When I walked back up from the beach the hill was sloped so I couldn`t see over the top, the shops and street vendors were all lined up, playing guitars and harmonicas or just chatting, the cobbled street was bare so I was walking right down the middle, the sun was bright, and I felt like I should be in a cowboy movie with my hat on, ready for a draw. Haha.

Anyway I`ve got 3 minutes left so I`ll write again later, and catch up on some e-mails. Tomorrow I go to Isla del Sol but I`ll have time in the evening to go on the net. Later dudes.