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The next three days were something else! We took a three day jeep ride through the desert...we were literally in the middle of nowhere but words or even pictures would not justify the amazing scenery! We had the chance to see stunning lagoons with mirror reflections, relax in hot springs whilst taking in the amazing views of mountains around us and climb up rocks that looked like they were just abandoned in the middle of nowhere! We got to stay in what was described as "basic hotels" but in actual fact looked more similar to the favelas we first saw in rio. They were situated hours from anything, it was an incredible feeling just being surrounded by nothing but the desert/mountains.I didn't handle the altitude very well at all, had about 2 hours sleep felt like I was going to be sick every two minutes with the worst ever hangover! Coco leaves and lots of water was eventually my cure. We were told that the "hotel" would be providing our food, my initial reaction was rather cautious. We were then told it would be lama, which again didn't fill me with much confidence! But to my surprise....the food was actually really good!
We then reached the abandoned train cemetery which was bizarre to see rusty old trains deserted in the middle of nowhere, however they did make fun climbing frames. Our next stop was the long anticipated salt flats. It was amazing just to be in the middle of what you think is a desert but then with salt covered ground. Even though the weather wasn't as we hoped, photographer Benny had managed to capture some cool photos (even though half our props were flying away because of the freezing winds ha).
Next stop Potosi, the highest city on earth, at 4060m. My thoughts went straight back to altitude sickness but to my surprise I had no issues at all...minus walking around like 90 year old struggling to catch my breath ha. We had a guided tour of the mines, I had learnt so much! We had a guide that had worked in the mines from the age of 10-18, this was so shocking as you aren't even supposed to work there until 18 but there is no one there to stop you, you are your own boss, can work where you want and with whoever you want. Working our way through the mines was hard work, having to duck everywhere you go, still hitting my head every minute, at one point we had to climb through a hole to get up to where the miners work, struggling to breath and getting sooo hot. A lot of people criticise the conditions and are very negative about it but to my surprise the miners are very proud to be miners and to be honest spend a lot of time drinking 96% alcohol so I guess you wouldn't mind if you got to get drunk at work ha.
After coming down a good 1000 metres we arrived in Sucre, which weirdly reminded me of Italy (very briefly). We had the opportunity to visit an orphanage, my initial reaction was oh god, it's going to be awful, but I'm so glad I went! It was like a school, the children ranged between a couple of months to 11 years, they were so happy to just have the chance to play with us. It was the sweetest but most heart wrenching thing ever especially when they were running up to you and calling you "mama". However I did find it easier to leave when a little boy sat on my lap and decided to let off the biggest fart ha!
It was then time for my birthday eve celebrations, which turned from a nice meal and casual drinks into me getting absolutely mortal...standard! Being told in the morning that my dance moves consisted of me standing in the corner, swaying with a smile on my face and attempting to get a taxi back to the hotel which was only 100m down the road sums my night up! I was greeted with a shot of vodka with breakfast no thanks to Shansel and spent most of the day pretty hungover until it was time to get back on it again. The girls were absolute babes and treated my to a bottle of champagne at the top of the city with the most amazing view and a "f***ing fantastic activity voucher" ha. Vanessa even managed to organised a cake after an amazing meal accompanied by a shot on fire, YUM! Oh and not to forget Michelle and Nicole who got me a very special gift which consisted of a bottle of 96% alcohol, some what looked like anal beads but was in fact a candle, a condom and what looked like lube but was actually shampoo haha! So I would say celebrating my birthday travelling was an incredible success :)
Then it was time for another night bus which initially was so comfortable, turned into only getting 2 hours sleep. Regardless, we hit the streets of La Paz and visited the "witches market" full of amazing jewellery, local lama/alpaca jumpers, hats....you name it. I had to restrain myself from spending my entire travelling budget but that was quite easy after going into a shop with dead lamas and lama foetuses. We were then asked if we wanted to do an additional activity called "death road" it's a bike route which takes you up to 4600 meters high and a stretch of 65km long, where apparently 300 people die a year and only 2 weeks ago a Japanese girl had died trying to take a selfie at the edge of one of the cliffs. So anybody's standard reaction would be to give that one a miss....minus a the majority of our group including me ha! I think this has to have been one of the most exciting/nervous/adrenalin filled things I've ever done! Riding down paths that ranged from 5 to 3 meters wide and not having anything there to stop you from falling down the side of a cliff but your breaks has got to have been scariest experience of my life, but the most incredible feeling at the same time. This was until I had to pull out my first aid kit for Benny, who spent too much time admiring the scenery than actually paying attention to the road...nurse Anna to the rescue (well let's hope the savlon and bandage did the trick anyway ha). But to be fair I can't blame him the scenery was absolutely breath taking! Oh and I also got to experience my first ever Milkyway...I was hanging my head out of the bus window like a dog out a car but my god it was something incredible!!!!
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