Bolivia

“I want that” - How to order food

With the help of translation dictionary I was able to communicate with my server to order food at a very local brunch spot. It took awhile to figure out that what was on the menu was the daily special. If you are not sure what to order, look around what others are eating and point to something you would like to try. That meal was probably the most affordable and local dish on that trip. Look up the basic words on your dictionary. Ex. Chicken, Egg, Soup, etc.

UYUNI

“Kindness” - No such thing as language barrier with kindness.

I just got off an overnight bus and am riding in a jeep towards the Uyuni salt flats. To save money my group selected the Spanish tour instead of the English tour. Our driver was a short kind old man. I wasn’t feeling exactly my best having spent the last 36hrs travelling on a plane, by cab, by overnight bus feeling the onset of a cold, persistent cough, sore throat, running a low fever and just getting my period. Exhausted all I wanted to do was relax and enjoy the scenery. Having packed most of my feminine essentials in my carry-on strapped on top of the car, this man climbed up and opened up the tarp that covered everyones luggage to get me what I needed. Thank you for your kindness. That was the first moment on that trip where I was at ease. Because of this kind man who didn’t speak English but went out of his way to help me. 

“Girl Power” - On travelling solo

I meet a lot of people from Argentina who travel. This girl was doing a trip by herself. She was sitting in front of the car and spoke Spanish. We shared conversation with help from the dictionary. It was nice being able to communicate with another girl. I find it much easier to approach another traveller when they are by themselves. It is much more intimidating when they are in a group. Making friends is harder when you already have a travel group. Later on the same trip I saw another girl taking a hiking tour with us. There are probably a lot more women travellers that I meet than men. Maybe I am approached more by females.