Health

There’s Diamox to help with the altitude going into Bolivia, over 3500m. We have Pepto-bismol, anti-diarrhea pills and two courses of Cipro in case of bad stomach trouble, plus the usual vitamins and tylenol. To get into Bolivia, you need proof of a yellow fever vaccination. I had one over 40 years ago, but my proof of vaccination is in a file box in the US, so we went to the Barranca Hospital at 11:45 am to see whether they had any doses left after treating children, who are the first priority. Usually, children are only vaccinated for yellow fever if they are going to the Amazon and Barranca gets 10 doses on Fridays. In fact, it took longer to get the certificate than the shot, and it was a remarkably short wait considering the bustling corridors of the hospital.