la paz - day three

im a bit dizzy right now.
i arrived in LA PAZ this morning. internet is scarce and sometimes erradic here in bolivia, so i have the privilege of being in the offices of CONACINE BOLIVIA with my host CESAR, who is the president. CONACINE BOLIVIA more like the tele-film of is to CANADA. he has been treating me incredibly well and with a lot of patience and kindness.
this country is just simply beautiful.
more so then i remember it. especially when you are ready for the culture shock.
as i type i am chewing a much needed cocoa leaf for medicinal purpose. it also highly recommended to all new cower of the altitude. you cant walk more then two blocks without trying to catch you breath - 4,500 meter above sea level. CESAR tells me that a lot of people visiting for the first time collapse as they enter the country on plane. its the first place ive visited where they have a medical center right next to the customs office.

things have already started to roll with PACHA MAMA, the feature length film that i am research and i ha vent been here more than six hours. right now they are drafting up a permit for me to film in the streets and throughout the city, if i want, so that when a cop come up to me and asks WHAT ARE YOU DOING? i got the papers. theyre really strict here. i am told that even take away the gear of bolivians when they film without permission.
i am at CESAR'S computer... just one moment....
(an hour later)
i was just interrupted by one of the administrators here at CONACINE who is drawing up the permit and holy shit!
i got in one sitting with a woman named beatrice all the information i ever wanted about the CHOLAS. 40 minutes of her just speaking about them from the different classes to their rituals and belief system. what a resource and for them its just common knowledge.
i got a digital recorder and im collecting all these stories for research.
i am beside myself.
this film is coming alive inside me and in this country by the minute.
eyes wide open.

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11:46pm
what i wrote above was just the beginning of my day... so much more happened. i need to slow down. i am too tired and winded to even type.
tomorrow im off to copacabana on a three day trek into something i cant even start to explain. a fisherman is taking me to his village for the national elections where they will have a ceremony for the PACHAMAMA.
i am so tired right now i cant even think straight.

bed.

god bless bolivia