Happy Bolivian Pride !

Written By: Colette Revadillo, Head of Communications

Happy Bolivian Pride!

Hello to all the parents, families, friends—and curious internet wanderers—who’ve stumbled across our blog! My name is Colette, and I have the absolute pleasure of being Head of Communications for APEX 7. What does that mean, exactly? Well, I’m here to spread the word about APEX 7—whether that’s through blog posts like this, press coverage, or social media. If you’ve seen our name pop up in an article or a local news piece, chances are I’ve had a hand in it (with a lot of help from my amazing committee, of course!).

This evening marks the second part of our very first official day in Bolivia, and despite running on next to no sleep, it already feels like something special. While I’m fortunate enough to have been part of APEX 6, for most of our volunteers this was their very first time in South America—some even their first time leaving Europe—which made the excitement all the more infectious.

After spending much of the day trawling the internet in search of the elusive Pride parade location (with little success), it was one of our volunteers, Icarus, who finally stumbled across the celebrations during her exploration of the city. Within minutes, we were gathering the group and heading toward the source of the music, colour, and energy.

The closer we got, the more our exhaustion seemed to lift. The sounds of drums, cheering, and joyous chanting echoed down the narrow streets, and suddenly the heaviness of travel and altitude didn’t matter anymore. It was impossible not to smile. Rainbow flags waved high in the air, glitter shimmered in the dusk light, and the streets of La Paz pulsed with warmth and pride.

What struck me most was how quickly our volunteers threw themselves into the moment. We danced, we laughed, we jumped along to the beat of the music. It was especially heartwarming to see everyone, including our brilliant doctors Nathan, Helen, and Katie, let go and truly enjoy themselves. Watching our group of mostly jet-lagged, altitude-stunned students get swept up in the celebration was a beautiful thing to witness. There was a kind of freedom to it—no expectations, no inhibitions, just joy.

Personally, it was in those moments of movement—dancing, shouting, waving my arms wildly—that I stopped noticing the altitude altogether. I forgot about my oxygen sats, the dull headache, and the fact that I had barely slept in 48 hours. It all faded away into the rhythm of the parade.

Seeing proud parents holding signs for their LGBTQ+ children, dancing alongside young activists, and watching as locals welcomed us into the fold without hesitation—it was powerful. The progressive spirit of La Paz shone through, and it was a reminder of the kind of community and connection that transcends language and borders.

As the sun set and the celebration wound down, I found myself just standing still for a moment, taking it all in. The cool evening air, the distant sounds of fireworks, the feeling of being completely and utterly present. It was, without a doubt, a brilliant first night. A whirlwind start to our expedition, yes—but one filled with colour, connection, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of this remarkable city.

La Paz has already made an impression—and I think I speak for many of us when I say it’s going to be hard not to fall in love with this place.

Stay tuned for more stories from the APEX 7 team—this is only the beginning.