Buganvillas Hotel Condominio Santa Cruz

I have been in Bolivia for about a week now. I have a story still waiting in Peru, and a few cities to catch up on here in Bolivia.

After my Machu Picchu trek, I decided to hit the bus down to Puno, the base of Lake Titicaca. From what i have been told lake Titicaca is absolutely marvelous.....unless you reside in Alaska. The Puno side of Titicaca has a unique feature probably no where else in the world. Floating islands, believe it ...

... in my price range than in Canada!

Oh, I have to quickly mention the weather! It´s crazy! One night it goes down to 7ēC and then the next day to a high of 25ēC. But 7 here feels sooooooo much colder than at home! And every time I leave the house I don´t know what it will be because it can change 10ēC within a hour if the weather changes! That´s Santa Cruz!

Bueno, that´s all for now!

... vendors selling street food. The weather was lovely when we visited. This was the only time I didn't eat packaged food after being food poisoned in Uyuni, because for the first time soap and a sink with running water was available in the bathrooms. In the few hours here, we ate sandwiches, icecream, burritos, and donuts. There's nothing like a full belly. And I didn't get sick!
Since all the trains ...

... see! On our way there everything else was closed and there was hardly anybody around, when we came out at lunchtime the city was back to life again. It revolves pretty much around the central square. Here too you could begin to see the rich/poor divide with the cutting edge malls where many families were having their Sunday lunchs at the numerous takeaway outlets, juxtaposed against the crumbling shops and the families lying on the streets.

... I was able to pay this taxi driver the $50Bs because I'd gotten change at the Pizza shop. But our first driver wasn't at the airport! We checked in and waited outside to see if he'd show up until the GOL employees came and told us we HAD to go to the gate NOW. So now I feel like a complete jerk and a bad representative for my country because now this Bolivian cab driver is going to think we stiffed him on purpose. We DID try ...

... poverty stricken country in South America, although in the few days we have been here we have actually found it far more modern and sophisticted than Southern Brazil. Santa Cruz despite being Bolivia´s biggest city really has a very small town feel. It is based around a Spanish style main square, Plaza 24 de Septembre, which is a scenic spot to watch the world go by. It is lined with palm trees, lovely pavements, manicured lawns and there are lots of tables ...

... later on your own) AND HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE MOUNTAIN WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT MP OR YOU'LL MISS OUT AND BE AS ANNOYED AS I WAS!!! MP was amazing and the entire trek was one hell of an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone. The only downside is that if you believe, like I did, that by doing the trek that you arrive at MP ahead of all the day trippers then you are sorely mistaken. When we arrived the place was swarming with people that ...

... building, manned by two guys, on a sandy "road". There were a number of plastic tables set up outside with women asking if you needed to change money (I had none) or filling out the entrance forms for people who I assume were illiterate. When I enetered the room I was greeted by the large, cap wearing guy behind a small wooden desk, behind which were a number of weird posters of presumably national icons, with "Ah, gringo, welcome to Bolivia". Excellent. He asked some questions which ...

I came to visit this time the city with Francisco and around midday, we did the final separation of the group of the previous day. I continue to Paraguay all the other french and polish are still in Bolivia and I m continuing in Paraguay. I went to take my ticket in the bus and train station of Santa Cruz and even if I ask for a bus Cama (nice very large seat very confortable) to go to ...

... are handed out to 5 families per day until the ingredients run out.
Other roles i played was entertaining the kids. I played cards, marbles (bola as they call it) and football (or Pelota as Bolivians call it). The kids are starving for attention, and will hang outside all day just to kick a ball or help you improve your spanish!

The foundation was brilliant and really looked after me. There was a group meeting called to formally introduce me to the ...