Bolivia! So I felt spontaneous and decided to make my way up north. I have been traveling the whole time with an Israeli guy I met at the hostel in Salta. We took the night bus to La Qiaca, were dropped off around 6am in the dark without a clue. We followed the other backpackers in a trail to the border crossing, sat around for a few hours waiting to get through and eventually made our way into Bolivia! Then it was madness trying to figure out what bus or taxi to trust and take and at some point we gave in to the madness and a taxi. The drive was a scary hour and a half, what with the driver passing cars during double yellow lines where you couldn't be sure a car wasn't coming the other way. Everytime it happened I cringed and prayed for my life. But we made it to Tupiza in one piece, exhausted and confused and thoroghly out of it. Then the hunt for a hostel began. We walked for about an hour asking around and eventually landed at an HI. And then, without showering or sleeping or eating, we began the hunt for a tour to the desert! It was a LONG day. We found an Israeli couple in the hostel looking for a tour as well to join us so we'd be able to fill a jeep. We found a company that we trusted by the evening and booked it. Of course, the only ATM in Tupiza was out of money and the only bank was closed...thank goodness for credit cards! The next morning we scrambled to get our bags together and find the jeep...to no avail. We went back to the office and told them we couldn't find our jeep and the woman at the desk made some calls and eventually the jeep arrived and we set out for the desert!
The next four days were spent driving through changing landscapes, seeing some of the most incredibly breathtaking views of my life. There were mountains, volcanoes, lakes, rock formations, flamingos, llamas and so much more! Everyday was a new adventure with new sights and new questions about what we were seeing, and new complaints from the most annoying Israeli couple who apparently couldn't appreciate anything they were seeing - such a shame. As a result, I learned to trancend their negativity into positive energy to give back to the desert in thanks for being in such an amazing place. The last day we ended in the Solar de Uyuni seeing the salt flats. It was all just like a dream!
In Uyuni we hung around for the day waiting for our night bus to La Paz. I tried to avoid the annoying couple as they would NOT stop complaining. Seriously, the most negative and ungreatful two souls I have met on this trip by far. I only wish I didn't have to share my experience with them but at least I didn't understand most of it...I could just feel it. Anyway, we took the bus and arrived here in La Paz where we have been for the past 5 days. We opted for a hotel after finding that most of the hostels were booked - and we all really needed to shower and have our own space after 4 nights without showering! So I have my own room for less than $15 a night! Mostly I've been eating like a queen and shopping like it's my job. There are so many great makets here! Yesterday, we went on a tour to Tiwanaku - an archealogical site. It was pretty interesting, although I must admit I'm getting a bit drained from all the tours. However, I am quite enjoying my time and looking forward to getting back to Chile in 2 days. But I have a feeling I'll be back in Bolivia again soon to see more...:)
