OK, somebody asked me about the coca leaves we chewed to fight altitude sickness up in the mountains, so here’s the straight goods.
First, you don’t chew them. You just roll up a few and stick the lot in your cheek, much the same as some people do with tobacco. I took the instructions literally and chewed it the first time, and I had a helluva time getting it out of my teeth! Lesson learned.
Anyway, for those of you worried I was picking up an addiction, let me clear it all up. Cocaine is a manufactured product, and coca leaves are just the base ingredient. It’s all the chemicals that are added, and the process itself, that make it narcotic. The leaves are described as a mild stimulant, similar to strong coffee or tea. They definitely help with the altitude sickness.
So to sum up, coca leaves do NOT make you high. They do, however, make you pee a lot!
Thank you for your lovely xmas card Helen.I went straight on line ordered Rare Steak,Red Wine,Hot Tango.I could not put it down! Rollicking is a perfect description.A fantastic read thoroughly enjoyed it.Some of your adventures would have scared me stiff!!, but I love the way you manage to keep your cool.I am sure I would have panicked a few times.You have given your readers a wonderful insight not only to the country but to the people,they sound so nice to be with.I am sure you will have lots of enquiries
Love Elizabeth Paul and Family x
Elizabeth, how lovely to hear from you! And thank you so much for buying my book — I’m delighted you enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, I’m almost finished the first draft of my next “love letter to Argentina” with a shorter book about my trip to the High Andes in the north last month. I can’t get enough of this marvelous country! I’m glad you are well — my love to Paul and the family.