We are in Potosi in Bolivia at the moment. Short blog today but we will try to fill in the gaps later if we can.
Salta was a beautiful city, of around 1 million people. The buildings and architecture was colonial with plazas, parks, and preserved hotels in the city centre. Glen and I have frankly had enough of camping, so we checked out of the campground that was 12km out of the city, and booked into a hotel suite overlooking the central plaza for three nights. It was one of the best decisions we have made. It rained most of the time at the campsite, so everyone was soggy and miserable, while we were dry, happy, and in a wonderful location in town. Our hotel room was fantastic. It wasn`t a new brandspanking suite, in fact, it is likely that most of the furniture in the room was there when it opened, but it was certainly unique. The best part was that it had a balcony that opened up where you can stand and see a spectacular cathedral on your left and look down at the cobblestoned streets on your right. So Evita. In fact, Glen had to restrain me a few times from bursting out from the room on the balcony belting `Dont cry for me, Argentiiiiiiinaaaaaaaa!!`
Another thing definitely worth mentioning when it comes to Argentina. Steak and red wine. The best and the cheapest in the world. The first night we went out with the group, we ordered fillet steaks. I was sensible and got the medium size, while Glen went all out and had the grande. They were MASSIVE. I had two steaks both the same size and length as my hands, while Glen`s steak was almost 25cms long and 15cms wide. It was bigger than his face. They were tender and oh so juicy, it was incredible. Mine cost US$10, while Glen`s was a whole whopping US$13. The bottle of red accompanying was about US$8. Needless to say, we continued our red meat diet well over the next three days!
After Salta we had a full day driving into Tupiza for a good nights sleep before heading into Potosi. Thank God our camping phase is over, and it will be hotels from here on. As we drove over the border from Argentina to Bolivia, it was absolutely astounding the difference between the two countries. As we drove further away from the border, it was as if the rain and the flat land suddenly disappeared to make way for a spectacular mountainous and dry landscape. Bolivia has been intriguing and strangely beautiful to me.
This is a country where approximately 90 per cent of its roads are unpaved, making for a bumpy and scarily eventful ride. We have wound up, down and around vast mountains, with steep cliff drops no less than 1 metre away. We have travelled through `tunnels` in mountains, which was literally holes carved into the granite faces. We have passed countless adobe mudbrick houses with dirt-caked children racing after our truck waving, corn fields, and herds of llamas grazing on the side of the road. I have not had much of a chance to read, as I keep leaning out of my window to take photos. It is hard to describe as I believe you really do need to come to this country to believe what I am seeing.
Another thing that has hit me hard here is the absolute poverty everywhere. It is heartwrenching. It is not like any other country I have seen. Yes, I have seen beggars in other countries before, but I have never seen such poverty and helplessness here. Children walk around with old faces and outstretched palms, while old women plead for money to buy food. I feel so guilty walking around on the streets dressed warmly in my travelling clothes, with money in my pocket and food in my stomach, and these people have so little. I am being a bleeding heart, but I feel so helpless that I can cry.
Anyway, I have to stop here because we are late for dinner. Tomorrow we will be in La Paz which I am looking forward to. So far, we have gone to Potosi to visit the silver mines (Glen got to play with dynamite!!). That is a blog in itself. And yesterday we were in Uyuni for the salt flats which is another amazing experience.
Sorry about stopping here, I will try to write more later!
Take care,
Sandra
Hi guys - yes, I know what you mean by poverty stricken villages. I had to deal with that in Pakistan. We had one not very far from where I lived- heart wrenching is an understatement and when you work with it- you realise that there is only so much you can do.
Anyway - I am looking forward to your next Blog/ facebook/phone call! and seeing you on the 27th!
Oh btw my cousin's daughter is rather impressed with your journey and wishes she could do that! I gave her your site address! Her name is Liz Innis and she is on facebook - love you heaps
Dad
Posted by: Nigel Innis | March 03, 2008 at 10:40 PM