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Hi all, so thought it was my turn to do a wee update on the blog. Have had a few relatively quiet and easy days in la Paz since the somewhat eventful bus journey! Apart from the worlds most dangerous road!
As some of you may be aware from the top gear bolvian special this is a gravel road on which numerous people have died by going over the edge in buses. Jeremy clarkson had a near miss with a bus on his trip! Luckily we were not in a bus but on mountain bikes. Have to admit when Damien suggested it I thought, no, not for me but hey im here to challenge myself so why not? Big mistake! Although I was glad I did it ( when I got to the end) it was most definitely not an enjoyable experience. As a way to help you understand my point I ended up with blisters on both hands and feel a soreness in my entire torso akin to having a vomiting bug for a week. Cause of these - excessive gripping of the handle bars and brakes due to fear of falling off the bike and ending up at the bottom of the worlds deadliest road hours before everyone else! To add insult to injury we appeared to be in the speediest group ever so even though I felt I was hurtling along at a million miles per hour I was so far behind everyone else i couldn't even see them! Also despite the double suspension bike (yes I am a sucker mo!) my ass hurts everytime I sit down. I blame all these difficulties on the lack of athletic prowess as a child! Should also mention that of course Damien enjoyed it!
As Damo has updated you all we are now fluent Spanish speakers (since Maddy left) although I do appear to be having a few issues with interpreting numbers. Yesterday I thought a girl was charging 250 bolivianos (£25) for two pieces of bread! Needless to say Damo looked at me in disgust at that point! She then showed us the money and we realised it was in fact 25p she was asking for! For some reason any number that has a 5 in it just throws me.
Other important points to mention. I can now use a squat toilet, after an impromptu lesson from Mads on the inca trail. I learned that the name squat is in fact misleading as less squatting is required than previously thought! Toilet paper never goes down the loo, unless you want to wait for half an hour with multiple flushes! And I can hold off on using the loo (in any capacity) for whole days at a time!
Any who peeps, think that's enough of an update for now. Generally were having a fab time and mostly still like each other. Off to the amazon for a few days now so have the deet and anti malarials at the ready! Also interestingly we appear to be the only ones getting the plane - very posh!
Love to you all x
I just wanted to add, Jamie, the bike ride has been the first adrenalin-filled thing we have done but I hope I get some points for that. As you can probably see the beard is coming on but not sure about the dreads. I also feel quite old on the tourist trail and fear I may be passed 'finding myself',but I'll keep looking!
Hope all is going good with everything and everybody.
- comments
grainne Wow kim im impressed well done u for the bike ride and ur first blog entry!!!! Glad u r both having a ball take care xxx
Mary Wow! Well done guys :) Kim reassuring to hear that you "mostly still like each other"!!!!! You've not been married THAT long! Damo - I didn't realise that you were trying to "find yourself." If you've not read it - read "the alchemist."
Deb Hi, Damien just wanted to let you know that all is ticking over nicely ready for you to come back and take over. God what have you made me do?????
Claire Hey, sounds like you're both having an amazing time - although not sure if I'd be able to manage the 'death road'! V impressed! You're both greatly missed in Glasgow. Kim - we were out for tea last week and it felt v strange that you weren't there! Looking forward to reading your next blog!..xx
Breige So the term "On yer bike" has a whole new meaning, Kim. If you survived the ride, u can survive anything, even when you don't like each other(just a wee bit). Have fun and keep blogging!!! Hey, Damo nice "mug". B
Maeve So proud, Kim, so proud....