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Along with our new travel buddies Nick and Courtney, we jumped on a bus to Potosi, the highest city in the world!
Highlights:
Our travel companions themselves! Gareth and Nick could not have been more of a perfect fit for eachother, egging eachother on to do more and more ridiculous things much to the amusement of Courtney and I. The fact that they wanted occasional 'man time' gave Courtney and I the excuse to have some amazing time to do girly things and chat to our hearts content, most importantly, not about football! We had an incredible week with these guys after the salt flats and despite their Australian need to mispronounce words and call stuff weird names, we thoroughly enjoyed their company!
Cheap times! Being the cheapest country we have yet encountered, it was incredible to be able to eat for fifty pence on the side of the road and enjoy amazing meals for under five pounds.
The Mining Trip.... I'm unsure whether to put this whole thing in the Highlights or Awkward Moments section. It was a great experience and I'm so glad that I did it, but whether it was 'enjoyed' is another matter. The trip is down a working Bolivian mine, and no attempt is made ot hide the potential dangers of what lies down there. Having signed the disclaimer of our lives away we entered into the mine where the difficulty of breathing at that altitutde is magnified by all the toxic gases that come out of the mine. Unfortunately, Nick's asthma only let him stay in the mine for about an hour, but the rest of us continued on for two and a half hours, going through tiny gaps; going into 40 degree chambers, eblowing up some dynamite, freaking out big time (on my part), getting hit y falling rocks (also on my part), and finally being so glad to come out alive. It was an amazing insight into how the minres have to live. Horrendous conditions and I'm not surprised most of them drink 96% alcohol whilst down there. We tried it, its horrible.
The Potosi v San Jose football match! I'm told that the standard of football was rubbish but the highlight for Courtney and I was most certainly the 'munchkins' or Potosi children, who came on and played on a full size pitch at half time, Bolivian children are so cute!
Awkward moments:
Being very kindly given a free street food meal in the square by a nice Bolivian man to find out bthat none of you like it and having to force it down to be polite....only to be offered more!
Whilst down in the mine, meeting some of the miners and, whilst being told how manger dangerous gases there are about, seeing one of them light a cigarrette. My life flashed before my eyes. Apparently its actually safe to smoke there though... We still left as fast as we could.
The bus on the way out. The station was full of ladies shouting to advertise their destination. The most annoying place to have to wait for a bus. Ever.
Our next destination was Sucre, a beautiful city most definnitely worth a visit.
Highlights:
Yes, we're terrible tourists but in Sucre we found the most amazing western food. Full English breakfasts and the like at Florin and Locots, much enjoyed by all!
The Girly Day! The boys went quad biking for a day leaving Courtney and I to enjoy ourselves however we chose. We decided on a manicure and pedicure, and a little shopping. Perfect. Costing 6 pounds for both it was an absolute steal and it was so nice to feel like a girl again. Travelling can make you feel like you're roughing it sometimes so its nice to be pampered once in a while!
Awkward Moments:
The non-corn tacos! Enough said.
Being given a napkin on our last meal at Florin containing some of the language the boys had taught their tour guide the day before whilst quad biking. 'Gracias w***ers!'. I'm not sure they will be winning any awards for their contribution to helping local tourism...
With our batteries recharged we said a sad temporary farewell to our Aussie amigos and left on an overnight bus to La Paz!
- comments
Dad Hi Maddie, sounds abolutely great. We might be having a lovely sunny spell here but it certainly sounds as if you are topping that. V envious! Love Dad xx