What to Pack

There are some things that you can easily find in Bolivia, just like here, and others that are almost impossible to find. Also, there are certain items that cost double there than what they do here. I want to pack what is going to be scarce there, or very expensive, of course. We've been gone so long, I'm not sure if our things are still where we left them, or if our friends went and got them.

So, since a fan costs $50 there, and so does an electric stove, and very difficult to locate, I'm going to make sure that these two items fit in the suitcases. The fan I already have. I need to find an electric stove here, though.

Crochet hooks are almost impossible to find, as are most types of crafts supplies, so those will be going. I'm attached to the sewing machine, and fought for the stupid thing, too (that's a whole 'nother blog post there, wow!) so that is definitely going in the luggage. I'm not too sure about the serger. I've never had it up and running, and Nicole has forgotten how to run one.

His toys, well, he's a typical kid, and he wants to take EVERYTHING! That's not possible, so I've started trying to get him hooked on the idea of selling his toys and saving the money for new toys once we get back. I'll keep you posted!

What is this all about, anyway?

Well, it might sound silly, or impossible to do, but I want to try, and it's because when I was in Bolivia with my young son, Karl, I felt alive, and able to really live like I want to. I want to go back there, and so does Karl. I am raising money, so we can go back there and accomplish our goals. He wants a stay at home mom, which I agree with him that that is a good thing, but I'm a single parent and somebody has to support us. (Read about my experience as a surrogate mom for friends of mine.) So, how to make money after we've gone there with only four suitcases and a couple of smaller travel bags? Provide something few can provide, but many want, and are willing to pay for. I speak English and I am from the USA. Ok, few people in Bolivia have both of those attributes, at least not too many who live there do. So, if I provide English in the form of a school, or tutoring or group lessons, there's some income. Ok, and what about the other aspect of having been immersed in American culture since birth? Everyone needs to eat, so what about a restaurant? Many families cook in their kitchens and provide full meals, with a few options offered at the smaller ones. What if I had a restaurant that served meals at the same times as the other restaurants, but it was all American cuisine?

Oh, and what I really want there is to build my own house. There are no building codes there, so you build what and how you want to. Nobody to come along and tell you 'you can't do that.'

And yes, I will still write, and it will have updates on how we are doing. The house plans? I think since we are not used to the heat as much as native Bolivians are, we'll have a lot of screening in it. I've drawn up some plans, and I'll have to work on putting them up here.

This blog will be a record of possible options for building materials, plans, changes, and that sort of thing.