Listen up kids: Altitude sickness is no joke

As soon as I stepped off the plane, there was a huge sign that read: Altitude 9,124 ft. Walk Slowly. That´s some pretty good advice. Had I been walking at my normal airport pace, I probably would have passed out. Even walking slowly, I felt like I had just run a marathon (not that I would know what that feels like) after only crossing the short distance to the customs line. I was out of breath, and my knees felt like jell-o. When I got to my host family´s home, I climbed the three flights of stairs to my bedroom with my heavy bags and was pretty sure I was about to die. Even today when I climb the three flights of stairs without my heavy bags, I´m out of breath by the time I get to the top. I haven´t experienced the all out altitude sickness, but it´s definitely a factor. That´s why I´m here in this internet café. In order to avoid my third nap of the day (because climbing the stairs is exhausting) I decided I better go for a walk around the neighborhood. I think I´ll just work on my book though for the rest of the day.