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YES, I am loving our trip. However, I am still me whether in Bolivia or Britain and am ill. BOO!!!!
Altitude not alleviating, heart just constantly racing, walked for 20 mins today (best I have managed in 6 days) without needing a rest, but not managed to eat at all today (no, not even chocolate!) and it is 4 o f***ing clock! No I am not on a diet, breath too short to chew and take in oxygen!
Things you need to know: 1. Internet in Bolivia is turning out to be a drag. Connection too slow to Skype, (even in here where I pay to use it!) a lot of hostels have wifi but no actual computers. Plus during siesta time you can't even load a page because of the Bolivian sprogs that flock to internet cafes and play games. (It is less than 20p for an hour!)
I have, unfortunately, been ill for the last 3 days (the theme of the last 6 months of my life I hear you cry). Caught a tummy bug and spent full 24hours in bed. Most of the hostel seems to have had it, 2 days ago I was awful, still really drained and horribly tired yesterday. It is times like that you don't want to share a room with 2 other people! It is also bad timing as I couldn't start Spanish school Monday, much too weak. Luckily South America is really relaxed... we originally signed up for a homestay and then chickened out, I didn't start Monday, Mat and I have decided to now do private lessons (less than 5 pounds an hour) etc. You still only get charged per hour, so we aren't being punished for our gringoness, would not get that in Britain! (I am starting tomorrow, didn't think it'd be polite to pass on super bug of doom as means of introduction)
Our hostel is super clean, only been opened for 9 weeks or so, bathrooms fully tiled and lovely kitchen we can cook our own food in. The people here are really sociable too, I think it's because of the large roof terrace we all hang out on. So we are staying in Sucre until Sunday, it's nice to not have to march off with our bags for a bit! (Yes, I am already bored of that, pathetic neck hates it!)
Onto more interesting things! A highlight of the last week has been a religious festival in Potosi we were lucky enough to stumble upon. It started in the day, and Mat and I bought and lit candles in the church. You will be amused to hear that, being such a clumsy goon, I managed to knock all the other lit candles off the stand when trying to force mine onto a spike. Mat wanted to die of embarrassment, I'd dragged him in there in the first place, and we spent ages putting them back on and lighting them in the hush, you only get in churches, that added to our sense of being intruders with criminal intentions.
From the host that evening we heard fireworks and rushed outside, the church party were just letting them off in the middle of a crossroad that cars were still coming down! (bearing in mind Potosi is a city of steep, narrow and winding streets) Ladies were giving out free cake and a band,the type with a little drummer boy, played a mere 5 metres from the erupting fireworks. The church was adorned with silver plates and the like and glowed and reflected each glittering explosion. The atmosphere was electric and it crossed my mind that it was odd, yo us, to see people so relaxed when in Britain we are so health and safety conscious. Everyone was smiling. I'm stowing a part of that night in my heart for safe keeing.
Love, Love, GIGANTIC Love
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