Sunday, December 25, 2011

Post six: NO PEACE IN THE "CITY OF PEACE" (LA PAZ, BOLIVIA)

GOOD EATS AND OTHER DODGY HAUNTS

I have been based out of La Paz, Bolivia for the last 3 nights, and I only have one more left.  I am staying at Loki Hostel, which appeared to be very cool at first sight but has really worn on me.  Being surrounded by a bunch of sloshy drunk Europeans and Australians is not my idea of a “Merry Christmas”, but here I am.  I am counting down the minutes until I can leave for the more quaint town of Copacabana.

WHERE’S THE DRIVER?!?

Two days ago I took a morning flight out to Uyuni Salt Flats.  The plane was a propeller plane that seated about 15.  I was more scared on that flight than I was on the similar one that I took out to Mt. Everest.  The pilot somehow managed to land us all on the ground in one piece.  I took the local bus for 12 hours back to La Paz that night, and woke up in panic that I was going to suffocate from lack of oxygen in the overcrowded and non-ventilated vehicle.  Transport has been interesting, to say the least.

EVERY SOL SAVED IS A SOL EARNED

Bolivia is very poor.  Money really goes a long way around here. 

THE SWEET SPOT

I came to Bolivia expressly to visit the Salt Flats.  I will leave here knowing that I have one less item on my “bucket list”.  The salt flats are incredibly beautiful.  If it could be managed to get on a 3 day tour with only other backpackers, I would recommend that.  There were some details of my tour that diminished the quality of the experience, but everyday cannot be absolutely exquisite, now can it?

SAY WHA?!?

I was a little disappointed in the short Latin Americans on my Uyuni tour.  They insisted on sitting in the front back seat, forcing me and another tall Caucasian to be jammed in the back back seat.  They had over twice the leg room as us, and about half the leg length.  It was ok while I was still very excited to be going to the flats, but many hours later, I found myself getting a little resentful.  I was glad not to be stuck in that position for 3 days though.  That is something for which I am grateful.

ESPIRITU LIBRE PARA LA VIDA

When I feel like this I know that I must not be in His will.  I am looking forward to getting back on track as soon as possible, so that I can again enjoy the awe that I always feel when I am where I was meant to be.  I’m pretty sure that I was not made for Loki Hostal – La Paz, or any other Loki Hostal for that matter.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Is it inappropriate to spend Christmas working on resumes and business plans?  If you think so, I already thanked Jesus for coming to Earth to save me from sin… and I am sure He would not mind if I keep to myself for a bit.  I would definitely like to be with my family right now instead.

2 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas Lillian... You are a brave and adventurous soul... Keep on writing.

    Jeb

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jib-Elon-Bells!! Thank you and Feliz Nuevo Ano, amigo!!

    ReplyDelete

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