We arrived in Miami at about 5pm today, after an uneventful but lengthy flight from La Paz (7+ hours in the air!). Did you know: airplanes flying to La Paz, Bolivia are equipped with special tires - they need to be able to withstand the additional force resulting from landing at speeds approximately TWICE what is necessary when landing at sea level. As well, the large jets do not take off from La Paz fully fuelled - they would be too heavy to become airborne in the less dense atmosphere.
For most of the trip, the weather was clear... and in between cribbage games I enjoyed spectacular views of the South American topography. From the air, the changes in the landscape are super apparent - the dry, barren altiplano around La Paz turns into vegetated mountains, which turn into flat, lush lowlands as you approach Santa Cruz, which turn into thick jungle as you go north over Brazil along the Amazon River... it is all very beautiful.
Yesterday, Brad, Esther and I checked out a La Paz futbol game. It wasn't as crowded or rowdy as I had hoped, but perhaps it was best that way...?! The fans really get into it, and it was a nice way to spend our last day in the city.
Cheers,
Cheryle
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