Difficulties

The reason this post is entitled "Difficulties" is because I have been facing some recently. First, I have been told that Cambodia will not be happening and for those of you who knew why this was going to happen, understand how sad and upset I am with this. Apparently, the NGO will not fund for a research assistant, only a translator, of course. I even thought about taking up Khmer. Okay, maybe not. Second, the study I have been doing here for my field study, of course, does not get sanctioned by our lovely IRB committee at Touro. Definitely pissed. I have already been interviewing and all, so everything came to a hault and all I have been doing is partying. I have met some interesting people and one of the Cuban doctors I work with just got married yesterday. Beautiful, simple ceremony!

I will try to post some pictures of my travels here. Apparently there is an option I was unaware of.  So how have I been dealing with these difficulties? Well, I definitely think certain things happen for a reason. I did delay my medical school entrance for January so I could go to Cambodia, but now I think I will stay in Bolivia longer. I am planning on staying here an extra month and hopefully being able to go to Peru and possibly Argentina on my way out of South America. Life definitely has been blissful and I am glad I am able to practice my Spanish. I have been told it is getting better and I hope to continue being invested in learning this beautiful language once I return. I will definitely be returning to Latin America and possibly Bolivia. This country has so much to offer and is very loving. I hope that someday every one of you can experience Bolivia in your lifetime. I will keep you updated on my studies here. I am looking forward to getting published, so everyone's well-wishes are definitely appreciated. This photo above is the view a few blocks up from where I work: Alto Llojeta, Bolivia. Alto Llojeta is a barrio of El Alto and El Alto is the most impoverished area surrounding La Paz. It is infiltrated with violence, however during my home visits for my study, the women have been very welcoming and receptive, surprisingly.