In Bolivia by mistake!

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I was not supposed to go to Bolivia at all , I was supposed to travel from Peru' to Brazil BUT I did a very silly mistake: I didn’t check whether I needed any vaccination coming from Peru' and guess what, I needed a yellow fever vaccine which I didn't have!

When I checked-in in Lima they asked me whether my injections were up to date and when they explained to me that Brazil would DENY me entry without a yellow fever vaccine the world crushed on me...will I have ever be more stupid than that? I hope not!!!!
Because I had a connection in La Paz to go to Rio De Janeiro they suggested I change my ticket and stayed for a bit in Bolivia to try and get those vaccines done....I WAS NOT HAPPY...I had NO DESIRE to go to Bolivia...I heard HORRIBLE STORIES about people going there...I was FREAKING OUT! Anyway, I change my ticket...I board the plane resigned to my destiny and taking the risk...I mean if Peru' felt unsafe imagine Bolivia...would they kidnap and kill me? Would they rape and rob me?

My distress must have been obvious....someone overheard me talking at the check-in desk...it was a Carlos, a nice middle-class man from Paraguay that was travelling on the same plane to La Paz. When we landed he approached me...I must have looked petrified...and he told me he would have helped me getting information about where and how to get a vaccine in La Paz and were to sleep overnight! He had a connecting flight to Paraguay 6 hrs later and he committed to help me in the meantime... However you can imagine how paranoid and suspicious I was even if I accepted his help, what else was I to do?! What was meant to be was meant to be. Carlos was communicating to me in Spanish...which I understand pretty well being Italian but not 100% and this made everything even more blurry and confusing!

He started to ask people at the airport about my situation but all information received was lazy and inefficient! They directed us to a vaccination centre around the corner from the airport but it was closed! Finally he decided to ask taxi drivers...they talked for ages about me but I was not very keen, after all some taxi drivers always try to rip tourists off!

They talked and talked and time was up for Carlos, he had to go to Paraguay...he told me not to worry: Alejandro, one of the drivers, would take care of me.
By then I was in tears....uncontrollable tears, Carlos thought I was scared but I was crying for him....I was crying for his kindness and genuine altruism and concern...this man had never met me and spent the last 5 hrs and a half trying to sort my situation out. I thanked him and hugged him tight before saying goodbye.

I was now all alone with Alejandro, he looked harmless enough, but what if he wasn't and why the hell was I feeling so paranoid?! Well I wish I had never been so suspicious because there was no need at all and the whole experience for me has been the one to teach me that human kindness exists! And perhaps in a poor, resource less country like Bolivia that kindness is at its purest level.

Alejandro took me to a decent hotel, showed me around La Paz, came back the following morning and took me to a medical centre, waited hrs in line with me 'till it was my turn for the injection, translated for me, brought me back to the hotel, came back the following morning and took me to the airport...I never ever once felt any kind of sexual feeling or interest coming from him, he was kind, gentle, calming and seemed to enjoy my company like a friend not a customer. At the end he asked me only for 20 dollars! I mean 20 dollars?! Of course I gave him more, God bless him!

BY THE WAY GUESS WHAT?! ONCE IN BRAZIL THEY DIDN'T EVEN ASK ME FOR MY VACCINATION CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Comments

[Pablo]

Story
I appreciated reading your story- actually was happy for you- try that in Miami- NY- Chicago- Virginia- etc Most Americans assume what they hear and see in movies to be true- if one tourist says it happened- it must happen all the time- with those thoughts- I guess people should be more terrified to come to the US .. Respect your story and how you responded after the fact. Pablo

[Ila]

La Paz
I have a son just visiting in La Paz so I read your blog with great interest. How wonderful that kindness reigns and that you were looked after, and were safe. Faith in human kindness is restored. I hope you had a great rest of your trip.