a new year.
after so long in peru, we breezed through bolivia, hiking the isla del
sol on lake titicaca, a new years under a moonlit sky and candle
lanterns all around. a quiet experience, wandering the hills and cliffs,
sun on my face, a cool breeze, reminiscent of the mediteranean, but with
a bolivian rough edge that made it all its own. the bolivians are
awkward, nervous, fidgety, frowning. they seemed in a world all their
own, the blacksheep of the south american family perhaps, landlocked,
also with an agitated history ...a bit misplaced so it seems.
our travels took us to the depths of potosi, a mine tour, crawling
through rocks and soot, lanterns lighting the way in the dark tunnels
underground, miners chugging by with their loads. surreal. a beautiful
drive through uyuni, a magical surreal landscape, walking on inches of
water atop a 12,000 sq mile salt desert, where the horizon never ends
and you feel like your driving off the edge of the earth, a reflection
is as clear as a calm lake, blue sky, blue water, in the middle of it
you become only a mirage yourself.
we are happy, though, after 5 months of campesinos, to be in argentina
now, were there is a semblance of civilization and huge steaks! we have
rented an apartment in buenos aires for the next month, we'll explore
tango and opera and soccer and architecture and vineyards...easing right
to the end. i will take a trip down to patagonia the last week to see
larger than life glaciers and migrating penguins.
the days our winding down here in south america...carrying big dreams
and a weathered smile. it has been unforgettable. truly.