Our Leap Year

Author: Chris & Tamara

  • 13Oct13

    13Oct13

    As we shared yesterday, Spanish classes in La Paz are either expensive or far away, so Chris is going to do some self-learning. The two schools that came recommended were Se Habla La Paz and El Nopal. They both also do cooking classes, which we’ll look into.

    My dad lent Chris a CD and workbook, as well as my old Spanish textbook from college. (Forgot he had that!)

    Today it was somewhat cooler in La Paz because the skies were overcast and there was a little rain. It was still really hot, but the sun wasn’t as intense.

     

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    While Chris works on his Spanish and building websites, Tamara is brainstorming special projects to work on. If you have ideas/suggestions, please put them in the comments.

  • 12Oct13

    12Oct13

    Just down the street from our apartamento is Tortilleria Sudamerica where we got 20 flour tortillas for 30 pesos, or $2.30. (more…)

  • 11Oct13

    11Oct13

    La Paz is a city that cares about the environment. This sign says, “We also drink water.” (more…)

  • 09Oct13

    09Oct13

    So…leap year life isn’t all sunsets and rainbows. Today we spent much of the day trying to fix a couple issues with our casita. (more…)

  • 08Oct13

    08Oct13

    Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore! (more…)

  • 06Oct13

    06Oct13

    Tomorrow we fly to Los Cabos, followed by a short drive to La Paz. It has been a really, really wonderful week spending time with family. (more…)

  • 05Oct13

    05Oct13

    Today is Chris’s sister Sarah’s 30th birthday. Happy birthday to Sarah, the Five Crowns champion!

    (more…)

  • 02Oct13

    02Oct13

    Today my mom and I (Tamara) called my grandma in the Philippines. She told us the thing she misses most about the U.S. is Chipotle! (more…)

  • 01Oct13

    01Oct13

    It’s officially day one of our leap year, which began with a leisurely 11 a.m. breakfast with Tamara’s mom and Jay — who made these awesome hash browns. (more…)

  • 29Sep13

    29Sep13

    Here’s the official packing list. This part was easy; the hardest part was what to do with the stuff we’re leaving behind.

    / CHRIS /

    4 t-shirts, 3 long-sleeve shirts, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of shorts, 1 hoodie
    7 pairs of underwear, 7 pairs of socks, 1 bathing suit
    1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of walking shoes
    1 waterproof rain jacket, 1 hat, 1 belt
    1 day pack, 1 water bottle, 1 pair of sunglasses
    Laptop and charger, iPhone and charger
    Toothbrush, razor, deodorant, comb
    Passport, vaccination records (plus photocopies of originals)
    1 Spanish phrasebook, 1 small notebook

    / TAMARA /

    4 t-shirts, 1 tank top, 3 long-sleeve shirts, 2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts
    1 cardigan, 1 light cotton jacket, 1 light scarf
    1 pair of running capris, 1 quick-dry t-shirt, 1 music-player armband, 1 bathing suit
    1 bra, 2 sports bras, 8 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of ped socks
    1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of canvas slip-on shoes, 1 pair of flip flops
    1 waterproof rain jacket, 1 hat 1 day pack, 1 small purse, 1 water bottle
    1 pair of sunglasses, 1 pair of spare eyeglasses, 1 pair of earrings
    Laptop and charger, iPhone and charger
    Powder, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, mascara, tinted lip balm
    Travel hairdryer, 2 headbands, 1 pack of hair ties, 1 hairbrush
    Toothbrush, razor, deodorant 1 compass, 1 journal/notebook
    Passport, vaccination records (plus photocopies of originals)

    / SHARED /

    Travel-size toiletries for our first couple nights: 1 shampoo/conditioner, 1 soap, 1 lotion, 1 toothpaste
    1 tweezers, 1 nail clippers
    Time-release DEET lotion, bug spray, bug repellent wipes, sunscreen
    Small sewing kit, string/twine
    1 digital camera and charger
    1 first-aid kit, including bandaids, moleskin, disinfecting wipes, hydrocortizone, Dramamine, ibuprofen, Pepto Bismol, Immodium, Cipro, altitude sickness pills
    1 Skip-Bo, 1 Five Crowns, 1 Bananagrams, 1 deck of cards
    1 water filter

    / HOLLY /

    1 soft-sided travel carrier, 1 spare carrier-bedding liner
    1 ID tag, 1 collar, 1 harness, 1 leash
    1-week supply of dry dog food, 1 pack of treats, 1 collapsible water bowl
    2 chew toys, 2 rolls of waste pick-up bags, 1 portable hair trimmer, 1 mini bottle of shampoo
    12 months supply of flea and heart worm prevention pills, 1 dose of deworming pills
    Health certificate, vaccination records (plus photocopies of originals)