Things I've Learnt From La Paz

---

This latest trip to La Paz was not remotely what I expected, but I wouldn't give it up for every penny or tear spent. I've met some amazing people, seen some impressive things (good and bad) and learnt more than I have in a long time. And before I forget every lesson I've learnt, I'm going to write it down so I might actually stop making the same mistakes hehe. Entirely frank and hopefully not self-indulgent.

• All travellers are starting to look the same to me;
  
• Most solo travellers just want a genuine hug;
  
• A lot of solo travelling females are surprisingly filthy and open about it (especially those with boyfriends!);
  
• When everything is fine, I forget I'm alone, when something goes wrong, I am reminded how completely alone I am;
  
• I am eternally grateful for the incredible and easy life I have had;
  
• I hope that when adversity comes my way I can be as brave, strong and selfless as my dear friend who I continue to admire (despite our unending disputes :P);
  
• I hope I never forget the homeless, chronic alcoholic, 59 year old who said friend gave up his time, money, food, drink and favourite hoody, he shook so bad he couldn't even feed himself;
  
• I hope I never forget how grateful I was to go home and have a roof, a matress, and a friend to hold me;
  
• I hate feeling helpless;
  
• Empathy hurts, a lot, but I wouldn't want to be any other way;
  
• Man needs a purpose, without purpose, after long enough, there is no will to live;
  
• I'm still looking for my purpose;
  
• No matter how hard/thug/gangster a man may be, the love of an estranged child can break him just like anyone else;
  
• I hate feeling trapped (mentally, emotionally and physically);
  
• I hate relinquishing the power of my own feelings to others;
  
• I hate to leave;
  
• I love to arrive;
  
• I love to feel adored/special;
  
• I would love to be with someone who was proud to be with me;
  
• I love the familar;
  
• I hate the unknown;
  
• I'm constantly told how strong I am;
  
• I feel constantly weak;
  
• I'm broken from saying goodbye to so many amazing people, I don't want to do it anymore;
  
• Sometimes I think I'm awesome;
  
• Most of the time I can't understand how other people think I'm awesome;
  
• As soon as I open my heart I feel completely unawesome;
  
• My insecurities make others feel bad because they think they are making me insecure, it's really just all me;
  
• My attempts at confidence are instead perceived as not caring;
  
• Perceptions of beauty are wholly nation/continent dependent;
  
• I can't believe that people actually think I might be beautiful;
  
• I absorb the interests of those around me rather than have any specific interest of my own;
  
• I would rather hear the painful truth than a beautiful lie;
  
• I have taken something from each friend and family member I have, I hope one day I can give you all something back;
  
• I am eternally grateful for all the beautiful people who have helped me in place of my friends and family no matter how little or for how short a time I have known them.
  
• I would rather make mistakes and know than always wonder what if (or said much better below by Mark Twain...)
  

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

---