I haven't remembered to blog about it until now, but the first week I was here, my director took the other two new Highlands teachers and me up to a mountain called Chacaltaya, which sits at over 17,000 feet! We drove most of the way up, but what we walked was a steep, rocky climb, so I was pretty proud of us. Here is one of the amazing views from the top.
We had a sip of coca tea at the lodge on our way back down, which was hot goodness because that wind was so chilly! Yes, our coca tea was water and coca leaves, the same plant from which cocaine is derived. It's supposed to calm altitude sickness, and it didn't have any weird effects on us, regardless of what the excited look on my face may say.
This morning--4 am, as a matter of fact--we drove a couple hours up to a trail called Taquesi. Our director made my roomies, me, and a couple others a yummy breakfast of egg and ham burritos and coffee before our pretty strenuous uphill climb. 
Almost there!
And here are my roomies and me at the top of our hour climb. What a wonderful way to worship on Sunday morning!
We each shared Scripture as we took in the beauty of God's creation. "I lift my eyes up to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. " (Psalm 121:1&2)
We each shared Scripture as we took in the beauty of God's creation. "I lift my eyes up to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. " (Psalm 121:1&2) 
