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Trying to Escape
Ok so yesterday was Fri 13th. I have no idea what today's excuse is!
The wifi was still down at the hostel but as a couple of them spoke English and were very helpful, I spent the morning sorting out how I was getting across Paraguay. I knew it was far so thought about flying. After going the old fashioned way - the telephone, the hostel guy told me there are 2 airlines that fly there. The next flight is Tue (and £300) for one, no answer from the other. In the mean time, it was suggested that I go to Taco, which is 5 hours West, stay there overnight, then go to Bolivia next day. Only thing is Taco is 50 degrees as it's in the desert. Fine. No probs. I'm sure there's air conditioning so perfect. That's what I'll do. Will split the horrible 24 hour journey up anyway!
There's a bus to Taco today! Yey! But there is no bus from Taco to Bolivia. I'd have to come back here to Asuncion again first! Great.
The wifi came back on and I looked at going south again to Argentina (for the 5th time), and crossing West there before heading North into Bolivia. I kind of decided on that. Anything but the 24 hour upright bus! There was a bus at 3. It's 1 now so let's just get to the bus station anyway. There may be an earlier one.
So I got there and sat weighing up my options. Money and time. I'd need to buy 3 tickets and 2 nights hostel going the long way round, as opposed to just getting on the stoopid 24 hour bus and getting there. So I resigned myself. I bought the ticket. The guy pointed to two names saying it'll either be this company or this company. Understood. Then I waited at the bus station until 8pm. 5 hours. Closer to the time I went to the supermarket to stock up on snacks, and a small bottle of 40% proof something. Who knows what it tastes like but I want SOMETHING to knock me out!
At 715 I went to the platforms (15, 16 or 17). I looked eagerly for the two bus company names on each bus that approached, not wanting to miss it. It got to 8pm and a few mins after. I started wondering what's going on, as the buses are usually there 20 mins early. At quarter past, I showed the man and lady next to me my ticket to confirm I was in the right place etc. All ok. At half past, a bus with one of the company names appeared in bay 10. I went over to ask the driver, showing him my ticket. He shrugged his shoulders in indifference. I confidently took that to mean, "Don't worry it will come senorita".
At 845 i went to information, still within seeing distance from the bus bays. He called someone and gave me a number to call. I went back to my now best friends to explain the best I could. I showed the man the number and asked him to please call for me. Knowing my UK phone would cost the earth and his local one probably wouldn't. He said there were numbers missing! At 9pm I went upstairs where I bought the ticket. Finally giving up and realising the bus wasn't coming. I'd now been waiting for 6 hours all together. The guy simply pointed to a THIRD company written on the ticket saying that was the bus company that came at 8pm.
I couldn't believe it. Such a stupid simple thing. If the guy had said any one of these THREE companies, I would be half way to Bolivia by now. He very clearly pointed to two, naming them. So while I was sitting there, my bus probably came, waited for 10 mins while I looked at it with the same general interest one may watch anything in front of them (the people getting on and off, the bus driver getting out to stretch his legs), then went again. With me not on it. The next bus is the same time tomorrow night!
So after my anger/frustration tears subsided I thought about what I was going to do next. I was so pissed off I decided to blow £300 on a flight. Then I soon thought more rationally. The bus is £30! I'd be cutting off my nose to spite my face! So I sulked down to my favourite card stealing machine, got out another £30 and went with my head hanging low, back to the ticket seller, thinking I'd ask for the manager's name and details but then thinking that would be too much effort. I Huffily asked for another ticket for tomorrow night and threw the £30 on the counter. He told me I didn't need to buy another and that the one I have will suffice. In my very fragile state I burst into tears again, right in front of him, said thank you, and sniffled my way to relative privacy to compose myself again.
I'd decided I would spend the next 20 or so hours writing my blog, or reading. But just generally chilling out doing nothing. I went back to the same lovely hostel and was greeted with open arms (after the taxi driver scammed me by asking for more money at the end "cos it's the weekend!" but I didn't care as I was so emotionally exhausted). I think the fact I got no Paraguay stamp was a bad omen for me. Something's stopping me from leaving this damned place!
- comments
Anne Starting to feel guilty now about not being very helpful when a Japanese woman asked me on the underground last week how to get to an address in London, and about flights on that day back to Japan. You seem to be travelling the hard way, Pauline. Fingers crossed you get there soon and that it will be worth it. x
Mum Can't work out if you will still be on the bus but if so will be thinking about you trying to straighten up when you get off !!! XXXXXXXXX
Andy Hey Ying and Yang ! You've had 2 Ying days so you're well overdue a a Yang ! ( or is it the other way around !)
Susan Aww!! Time for the tables to turn!! Keep yer pecker up!! Glad you had a nice hostel to relax in!!