(See previous post 'Decisions, decisions in Bolivia') So none of my previous plans happened J. The glory of travel & another lesson in why I shouldn't try to force things too much – just go with the flow, relax, and good things will happen.
After a week in Sucre, I was starting to get a bit stir crazy, and as the volcano ash in Europe was playing havoc with my parcel delivery – I decided to give it up for good, take the bus to Santa Cruz and then travel to the Brazilian border. The bus to Santa Cruz was another trial. We literally ran out of road 2 hours into a 12 hour journey, and after that we were driving on what felt like a dry river bed (see video).
On arriving in Santa Cruz, it started raining – I immediately thought of the state the roads would be in and wanted to take a flight to Brazil. Then I thought about how I should suck it up and take the bus/train. I tried unsuccessfully to get a train ticket – the train was cancelled in the end – I never found out why. I booked a bus ticket but the morning of the journey I got the hostel to check the status and it turned out some of the road was blockaded...back to plan #1 and the plane...
By this time I had met some Irish girls and we had decided to go to Samaipata – a village in the forested mountainous valley about 3 hours from Santa Cruz, near to the village where Che Guevara met his end. Samaipata is the starting point for going on a 'Che' tour for those inclined (not me). There is also a prehispanic/Incan fort called 'El Fuerte' nearby. Its a sleepy little town with a surprising amount of expats running tourism based businesses there, but it makes for a friendly, relaxed & easy place to while away a week, good or bad weather (and we had both).
While the 2 other girls headed off on their 'Che' tour, I tried to organise my flight to Brazil with the local tour agencies. I was assured one agency could manage it for me but would charge a commission. I wanted the flight booked, so I didn't mind paying the hefty fee of 100 bolivianos. I was given a reference number, told to turn up at the airport 2 hours before the flight & I could pay then.
Off I went to the airport, sat up all night & to cut a long story short – my booking had expired 24 hours prior to the flight (despite the fact that the booking had been made 36 hours before the flight – sigh). The price of the flight had gone up from what I was previously quoted, and I had to pay an extra US $100 to get on the flight. I was really annoyed at having to pay the extra – but I did it anyway just to get out of the country – I was never so glad to leave.
Looking back at the past month, I realise I have been blogging more about a country I haven't particularly enjoyed more than any of the others (counting number of posts). I need to stop complaining & start concentrating on the more positive aspects of my trip!
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