here are photos from week two and three in la paz. we are all starting and continuing our own individual projects within the different groups that we have met. my project focuses on teaching the art of photography to street children and lustrabotas. both groups were given disposable cameras to document their lives. with the photos we plan to create postcards and books in hopes to develop a microbusiness for them to benefit from a new creative outlet. enjoy :)

Here are some photos from my first weekend (May 14th-May 16th) in Bolivia. We spent the weekend in the little town of Sorata, Bolivia. Relaxing. Beautiful. Enjoy :)

ok, so… bolivia is absolutely amazing. it is hard to update on everything that has happened so far, but i will simply say that i am definitely enjoying this country very much. i currently do not have the best access to the internet, and when i do, the speed it way too slow to upload all the photos i would like to. we are working on several projects with the lustrabotas (shoe-shine boys), two children’s rehab clinics, street-working children, and maybe some more to come. i am surrounded by some pretty awesome people here. people that really care about making a difference. people that are immensely creative. people that make me really love being here. i have been keeping my daily journal here, which is something new to me, but also very interesting. although i am very far behind, i will try to upload some photos for every day that i am here (no guarantees!).

the first weekend we went to sorata and essentially stayed in a very relaxing and peaceful “oasis”. our trip to sorata was a way for us to get to know each other as we tried to acclimate to the high elevation of bolivia. we explored the tiny town of sorata, as we began to slowly understand the culture and way of life in bolivia. the views were breath-taking, and although i have photos, they will never ever to the area justice. (i will show them eventually though!)

la paz is a beautiful city. the giant, snow-covered mountain known as illimani sits as a backdrop to the city. the city reminds me of a mix between an asian and european city. no one follows the traffic system and there is cobblestone all over the place. the people have been very kind so far, and the food has been great. bolivians love their meat, and so do i.

today is one of the first days that we have had free time during the day. we have been working in our studio (located in the Museo de San Francisco!) or exploring/researching la paz from 8am until 8pm pretty much every single day. there is plenty more to share, but right now i have to start editing down some of these photos so i can actually post them!

adios.

again, another version of my website. more photos, less complication. (oh, and i added poetry)

in less than 24 hours i will finally be in bolivia! similarly to japan, i do not really know what to expect, but hopefully these next six weeks will be as amazing as i am hoping. i was told that i will have (spotty) internet access, so i will definitely try my best to keep this updated (seriously, i will try). i am starting a journal for each day i am there (and maybe i will continue it after bolivia). i will have my digital and possibly 35mm, but i still need to pack, so im not sure yet.

last week i bought two old manual nikon lenses [35 f/2 + 50 f/1.4] to go on my canon body (yeah, cry about it).
here are some photos from the past week with these lenses:

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Oh I do believe
In all the things you see
What comes is better than what came before

And you’d better come come, come come to me
Better come come, come come to me
Better run, run run, run run to me
Better come

Oh I do believe
In all the things you see
What comes is better that what came before

And you’d better run run, run run to me
Better run, run run, run run to me
Better come, come come, come come to me
You’d better run