At the Altiplano...and suffering from soroche...

So we've arrived at Tierra de Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama at an elevation of approximately 8000 feet...unfortunately, we don't have a special oxygenated room like that in Cusco so I've really suffered from the lack of oxygen. I have all the major symptoms of nausea, headache, fatigue, and a resting heart rate of 90bpm, suffice it to say I spent the morning trying to acclimate to my very high environment. It dawned on me that if I sit outside I have more access to oxygen so I've spent most of the day on the patio of my little room, fortunately it's been a rather warm and comfortable day. I did have to miss ut on the first of the many excursions planned by the excursion director Max. When I went to tell him that I was not feeling well and couldn't make it, he took one look at me and said "yeah, you don't look good at all." Well, thank you Max! Not only did I feel bad because of my altitude sickness, but apparently I also looked like death! Just what a girl needs to hear! Anyway, the hotel is very lovely, comprised of only a few rooms, and has a capacity of about 70 people. Just my luck, most of that capacity is being filled by Brazilian children on their Winter Break with their parents. Once the sun sets, the Brazilians are bundled up like a deep freeze has set over the region (it's probably about 40 degrees, so it's cold but not layers of scarves and large puffy down jackets cold!), in the afternoon they are running around barefoot and in small bathing suits (72 degrees). I'm trying to avoid them as much as I can, but the seem to be everywhere...I guess I'll just put in my earplugs and find a corner. We actually did attend an evening excursion to the Salt Flats...it was quite a beautiful spectacle to watch the sun set over the volcano and reflect its glowing rays over the white and pink salt. Hopefully, I feel better so I can continue to marvel at the geographical beauty of this region. Hasty luego!