I bow down to those who travel for long periods of time. I've been at it for a little over 6 months and its been quite a ride. Even though I spent the first 5 months in Buenos Aires, the body knows when it's on foreign soil. The life of a nomad however, is a life in itself. As soon as a place feels familiar and homelike, it's time to pack up and move forward. Its been this delicate balance of falling in love but keeping my bearing which is a new dance to me. It takes so much strength, courage, and delicate self care to pick yourself up and walk away from such beautiful people and places. My heart keeps whispering... "I wish I had more time." This is my state of being right now.
But there are challenges. I was sick. I've been sick three times in a matter of weeks. Its incredible! I've never contracted anything more than a sinus cold in the US yet I've managed to sample a cocktail of strange infections on the gringo trail. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say "don't drink the water" and Bolivia definitely isn't the place to become a courageous eater. I'm gonna stick to sweet bread and dried fruit!
However, I must share a few details of my Bolivian experience thus far. I will start with "What a beautiful country!" The landscape is breathtaking. The sun is up, the sky is blue.... :) But in all seriousness, I was not expecting what I've found. Bolivia has such an array of climates and landscapes. One minute I feel like I am in the dusty canyons of Arizona, then I am in the jungle of Missiones, and then I am in a desert of salt... it keeps going. During the day the sun is warm, im literally like a cat in the sun as i type this... but at night forget about it. i dont believe ive ever been so cold... its like suvival of the fittest, how many blankets can you find and how many pairs of socks will fit on your feet. my hair is like a birds nest from sleeping with two hats in an oven of wool.
although bolivia is full of dangerous beauty, my first impression was a bit overwhlemig. Villazon, the border town, really sent me on a spell of fear and "wtf am I doing" because it was dirty, fast, loud and just really poor. It was only a 10 minute walk across the border, yet I felt an entire world away from Argentina. Plus I had "sewege water syndrome" and I was freezing, so rather not spiritually fit for the experience. Then I spent 12 hours on a bus, packed with locals, dogs, dust, and wool blankets. It was an overnight trek over Bolivian soil, literally it was a dirt road, I was snuggled in next to a large, old Bolivian women who wore 10 skirts and ate something that smelt like dried pork loins, while I prayed to God I wouldn't sh** my pants for 12 hours (excuse my language). Note to self: take train through Bolivia, not bus.
However, after arriving and sleeping for 11 hours in a warm bed in Uyuni, a small tourist pueblo, I am feeling refreshed. After a 24 hour fast, clean water, and 2 hydro chlorine pills I am a new woman. I stayed in a beautiful hostel called "hostal Liliana" with a hot breakfast, hot shower, and a rooftop view of Bolivian landscapes.
I spent a day roaming around this beautiful town, its so interesting to explore and watch. Always, always visit the markets. In Uyuni, its just stall after stall filled with beautiful fruits and vegetables with women in beautiful colored outfits and hats. They're smiling and laughing, exchanging stories, laughs, and produce with locals. I wish I could take a million photos, but theyre not too fond of cameras here...
Along the street in front of my hostel there are women making fresh juice and smoothies!! There are about 5-6 stalls set up along a turquiose painted wall. They juice 5 or 6 carrots and then blend a fresh combination of banana, kiwi, apple, pineapple and papaya. Then they pour it into a glass, pop in a bombilla (straw) and you drink your juice right there in the sunshine. I love to sit and talk with the women while I sip my smoothie. And the best part? A free refill! They just make so much. I would stay right here in Uyuni just for the smoothies and conversation.
Today I am heading out for a 3 day adventure into the Salt Flats of Bolivia. This is one of the highlights of my trip. I am free of any expectations as for they are irrelevant, it seems, to traveling.
More photos and stories soon to come. May peace be with you, and warm blankets with me :)
