📸 Photo

CHAPTER 3
KARL AND KEVIN

I awoke at noon and lay staring at the walls. The room's only ornament was a faded poster of La Paz bearing the caption 'The Jerusalem of Bolivia'. My vision was clear, not the distant blur it had been. I sighed with relief. I was my old self again.

I went downstairs, took a shower, shaved, and went out. It was a beautiful day, especially after the gloomy weather of the night before. Huge banners at the city's central soccer stadium proclaimed the imminent contest between The Strongest and Bolívar. On a nearby corner stood a hamburger stand run by a young American, where the mochileros gathered. I walked on in the direction of the amusement park. Little kids, squealing gaily, were sliding down a gigantic chute on plastic bags.

I didn't feel like seeing Dede again. It was weird. Friends had warned me that the trip could turn violent, that either one of us might come to harm, but it hadn't been like that. I had needed her and even been afraid that if something had happened to her, I would be left alone, helpless.