After feeling better at around noon, I decided to venture out and figure out my tour for the Uyuni Salt Flats. It is funny - all of my friends who have seen it loved it, and all of the young hostel goers who have seen it were like - I got bored after 2 days. Hmmm...I think it must be because of their over connectivity with technology that they can´t stop and just explore nature. Maybe that isn´t it, but I am pumped to explore this area...it is a pain in the rear to get there, and I had to push it back one day because the buses aren´t running on Xmas day...go figure. Why do people have to celebrate Xmas? Just kidding... so I leave tonight at 9pm on a comfy, heated bus for Uyuni - I think it takes around 15 hours? We then have Wed/Thurs/Fri to explore various lagoons and areas and then I take another night tourbus back to La Paz and arrive on Saturday the 27th at 8am. The comfy bus costs almost as much as the tour, which takes you out in a jeep, all day for 3 days (you have 5-8 more hours, I think, from the stopping point, which is Uyuni). I know we do get to step out of the jeep/Range Rover and hike around a bit. It has to be easier than hiking around here!
I am exhausted! After shopping at the craft markets on Calle Linares and visiting the Coca Museum on Monday, I needed to sit down and eat a casual meal... I tried the sopa de mani (has peanuts in the base) and saice (which is beef, peas, tomato sauce, onions with rice and one of their famous yellow potatoes!). Yum. No salad for me. But on Monday night, after changing my return flight with American Airlines (I had to go to no less than 7 internet shops to find headphones that worked with Skype - talk about frustrating!) I was crazy hungry and at 9:30pm I asked the hostel for some recommendations...I wanted traditional Bolivian food (yes, it can be quite tasty!) And I said that I had already explored a particular part of the city, so instead of a quaint local joint, she sent me to a ritzy non-Bolivian resto in the Zona Sur? What? I walked in and it was full of stuffy business men and women...yes, they do exist, even in La Paz! When I sat down, he gave me the menu, and then he said, 'Push this button when you are ready to order" and that was my clue. This was not the right place for me! So I left and wandered around semi lost and got directions from one of the many Policia Militar here in La Paz. He didn't want to send me to any 'dangerous' places (which were probably just the places I wanted to go to), but I got a cab to the 'Student Plaza' and found a friendly 24/7 resto. I made the mistake of thinking I was all adjusted and ordered ONE light beer and a Bolivian version of a hamburger and fries. Comfort food. BIG MISTAKE. I am surprised that my hostel mates (this super cool Aussie named Paul and 2 lame Brazilians who slept two days away) weren't wakened up by my frequents to the bathroom. Well, I laid low for most of Tuesday and finally got the courage to shower and check out. It was FREEZING today and rainy again (it rains every day here...and we are talking 40s during the day...geez! That was my cue to do...you guessed it, MUSEOS! Loads of 'em. Though my body is pretty achy - I hate to say it but I think that I have the flu. Taking Aleve, drinking lots of water and mate de coca. Here is hoping I feel better tomorrow...wait, is that possible? I have a 15 hour bus ride starting in 90 mins. Alas...I will figure it out! Went to the Museo de Instrumentos Musicales, to the Bolivian History museum, and to the most awesome Ethnography museum. All very interesting. Especially the latter...funded by the Gov't and really state of the art. No pun intended. My highlight of the day, though, was having an empanada and the peach drink (mocochinchi) with this cute girl named Mariel ...a psych student at the University here. We chatted in line and then sat down together -- she gave me some advice on what Bolivian music to buy and then we just chatted about her life and my life and she was so smart and wonderful and fun to meet. She walked me back to the hostel, and here I am! I need to go call a taxi... Well, wish me health, and then to all of you readers, Merry Xmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Kwanzaa. I will be back online on Saturday the 27th with some *hopefully* awesome stories of the Altiplano - Salar de Uyuni. The Salt Flats! Keep reading and hugs to everyone. Miss Michele
I am exhausted! After shopping at the craft markets on Calle Linares and visiting the Coca Museum on Monday, I needed to sit down and eat a casual meal... I tried the sopa de mani (has peanuts in the base) and saice (which is beef, peas, tomato sauce, onions with rice and one of their famous yellow potatoes!). Yum. No salad for me. But on Monday night, after changing my return flight with American Airlines (I had to go to no less than 7 internet shops to find headphones that worked with Skype - talk about frustrating!) I was crazy hungry and at 9:30pm I asked the hostel for some recommendations...I wanted traditional Bolivian food (yes, it can be quite tasty!) And I said that I had already explored a particular part of the city, so instead of a quaint local joint, she sent me to a ritzy non-Bolivian resto in the Zona Sur? What? I walked in and it was full of stuffy business men and women...yes, they do exist, even in La Paz! When I sat down, he gave me the menu, and then he said, 'Push this button when you are ready to order" and that was my clue. This was not the right place for me! So I left and wandered around semi lost and got directions from one of the many Policia Militar here in La Paz. He didn't want to send me to any 'dangerous' places (which were probably just the places I wanted to go to), but I got a cab to the 'Student Plaza' and found a friendly 24/7 resto. I made the mistake of thinking I was all adjusted and ordered ONE light beer and a Bolivian version of a hamburger and fries. Comfort food. BIG MISTAKE. I am surprised that my hostel mates (this super cool Aussie named Paul and 2 lame Brazilians who slept two days away) weren't wakened up by my frequents to the bathroom. Well, I laid low for most of Tuesday and finally got the courage to shower and check out. It was FREEZING today and rainy again (it rains every day here...and we are talking 40s during the day...geez! That was my cue to do...you guessed it, MUSEOS! Loads of 'em. Though my body is pretty achy - I hate to say it but I think that I have the flu. Taking Aleve, drinking lots of water and mate de coca. Here is hoping I feel better tomorrow...wait, is that possible? I have a 15 hour bus ride starting in 90 mins. Alas...I will figure it out! Went to the Museo de Instrumentos Musicales, to the Bolivian History museum, and to the most awesome Ethnography museum. All very interesting. Especially the latter...funded by the Gov't and really state of the art. No pun intended. My highlight of the day, though, was having an empanada and the peach drink (mocochinchi) with this cute girl named Mariel ...a psych student at the University here. We chatted in line and then sat down together -- she gave me some advice on what Bolivian music to buy and then we just chatted about her life and my life and she was so smart and wonderful and fun to meet. She walked me back to the hostel, and here I am! I need to go call a taxi... Well, wish me health, and then to all of you readers, Merry Xmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy Kwanzaa. I will be back online on Saturday the 27th with some *hopefully* awesome stories of the Altiplano - Salar de Uyuni. The Salt Flats! Keep reading and hugs to everyone. Miss Michele
happy holidays love. thank you for keeping up with the blog, it's so great to read about your adventures. sounds like you're getting to see, eat and experience a lot. be safe, stay warm and i look forward to hearing more about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteleaving for london on sunday. had a great weekend with the boy in LA, can't wait to fill you in on the details. miss you much. xoxo