I´ve been in Bolivia for over 48 hours now. While the culture is not too different from my home culture of Venezuela, I definitely have noticed that I have become quite americanized and that makes me stand out, besides the fact that I have a Venezuelan accent when I speak spanish and also that I am significantly lighter than the majority of the population here. For example, it is customary in the states to allow whoever arrives first in line to partake first in whatever event/transaction/ordeal before those who have arrived later, it´s politeness. However here everyone rushes to the front of the line regardless of whether they arrived first or last, and several times I´ve been left at the back of the line after arriving first. No matter, I am in no rush. My host mother treats me quite well and makes a lot of wondeful food, but I am still a bit queasy in the stomach and have the need to vomit the majority of the day, I think it´s altitude sickness. My placement is actually in the mountain, and I went there for the first time today. I felt incredibly lightheaded and short of breath, but within a week I should be fine and good to go I believe. I really want to try the streat food but after getting worms and food poisoning a couple times from eating street food in Venezuela, I think that for now I will avoid doing so until I see my advisors actually recommending that I try specific stores. Overall, I believe I am adjusting well and that this will be a good summer, I just have to make sure not to let my shyness get the best of me and put myself out there to help during my time with the Nutrition Project.

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