TravelStream™ news feed for member rrruss on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/rrruss en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 02 Oct 2004 12:26:52 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1092016800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1092016800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1092016800/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 12:26:52 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Santa Cruz, Bolivia

After an afternoon by the river, drinking lots and soaking up the sun, we waded across the water to initiate ourselves as true Cruceñas!

Then all 7 of us piled into a taxi (2 of us in the boot!) and headed to the football stadium. The local side Oriente were trying to kick-start their season after losing their opening two games. They thrashed Aurora 4-0 but it really wasn't that good! There was little crowd atmosphere as the 12 hour journey from Cochabamba probably put off any travelling support. The most entertaining moment was when a microlight crash landed on the pitch at half time! Maybe next week will be better when they play local rivals Blooming.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095732000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095732000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095732000/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 12:20:15 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Puertachelo, Bolivia

Today was a day we had anticipated for a long time and were both a little nervous about. We were travelling with Plan International to Portachuelo where our sponsor child, Juan-Carlos, lives.

Before we got to meet him though, we were taken around various Plan projects.

There are several Kindergarden schools which have been built in recent years. The children were incredibly enthusiastic.

We also got to see a secondary school and were treated to some singing and dancing, laid on especially for us. It was like being Royalty!

Then we saw an agricultural school in the middle of nowhere. The children there are taught about how to farm the land properly, a key skill in the environment in which they will live out their days. There was also a radio project there so that lessons can be relayed via radio to remote villages where the children can't actually make it to a school.

After lunch we finally got to meet Juan-Carlos. After a nervous start he soon warmed to us and we got on really well. He appreciated the Brighton shirt we gave him as a present and wouldn't let go of the little red dragon we brought out from Wales!

All in all it was a very emotional day and aterrific way to finish off our time in Bolivia.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095645600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095645600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095645600/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 12:06:53 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Santa Cruz, Bolivia

A nice way to say goodbye to Rosario, my Spanish tutor. She has been fantastic throughout my stay.

Trish and I were invited to spend a night at their house and we were delighted to accept. We went out to a local restaurant where they serve traditional Bolivian food and all the waiters wear the traditional Campo clothes of all white with straw sombreros!

Afterwards we sat up until midnight chatting and getting to know all the family.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095634800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095634800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095634800/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 12:03:08 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Oriente 1-3 Blooming

Trish wanted to experience the atmosphere of South American football and who was I to say no?! This time it was a daytime match so the fireworks were not visible. They were still loud though!

The game itself was a bit disappointing with Blooming storming into a 3 goal lead which killed the game. The passion was still there though, as the red card apiece showed!

The fans continued to make loads of noise throughout the match and I will miss the opportunity to sit on concrete steps and have my hot dogs and drinks brought to me!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095566340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095566340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095566340/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:56:11 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Every year Santa Cruz hosts a massive Trade Exposition. In the evenings it is open to the public so we went along to see what all the fuss was about.

All the major restaurants from the city have temporary stands, as do the breweries. You certainly didn't go hungry or thirsty! There was also a huge stage where top Bolivian bands were performing in front of a very enthusiastic crowd.

It was a great night out but by midnight we were shattered. Shame as it carries on until 3 or 4 in the morning. Maybe we are getting old!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095454800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095454800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095454800/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:54:48 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Samaipata, Bolivia

Because of the delay at the British Embassy in La Paz getting Trish a new passport, we had to change our plans somewhat. Instead of going back to the Pantanal, I took Trish up to Samaipata. Unfortunately the burning of the fields around Santa Cruz led to incredibly poor visibility so Trish was denied the magnificent views on the way up and we wondered what sort of trips we would be able to do.

My mate Frank at the Roadrunner tour agency was very good in agreeing that the trip would be cancelled if the smoke didn't clear overnight. Fortunately for us it did, and we went on a day hike to the Volcanes region. The landscape looks volcanic, but isn't, and it was fabulous. At times the hike was a bit tough but we had a fabulous day and it was good to sretch the legs!

The following day we had to return to Santa Cruz but the smoke had come back anyway so we weren't too upset. On the way Frank took us to El Fuerte and this time I really enjoyed it. Maybe it does pay to have a guide! We also spent some time at the waterfalls of Cuevas once again, but this time there was nowhere near as much water flowing as the dry season is taking a grip on the area.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095172200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095172200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095172200/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:48:27 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Sucre, Bolivia

Sucre, the capital of Bolivia (NOT La Paz!) turned out to be a great place. We relaxed for a couple of days, got over the bus journeys and the sun even came out for us.

We spent a lot of time in the Joyride Cafe, a regular Gringo haunt but the food and drink was good enough to warrant repeat visits.

Whilst in Sucre we did a visit to the Convento de San Felipe Neri, an old convent which is now a girls convent school. We were able to climb all the way up onto the roof to see the tremendous views of the city. Our guide then allowed us into the bell tower and, despite being warned, I managed to hit my head!!

From Sucre we flew back to Santa Cruz. I had a bit of a stomach problem thanks to some Picante de Pollo which I ate. It was so spicy it pickled my insides for days! With that in mind I couldn't face the 20 hour bus journey!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095019200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095019200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1095019200/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:41:25 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Sucre, Bolivia

We knew we were in for a hard time when we got to the bus station in Uyuni. The operator had put us onto another operator's bus leaving half an hour later. Still, we would be in Potosi between 1 and 2 am so we would get a good few hours kip before going down the silver mines.

That was the plan. The problem was that the bus drove so incredibly slow, and not just because of the ridiculously bumpy road either. At times I'm sure the driver was lost and we took the long long way round. Eventually, almost 12 hours later, we arrived in Potosi. Nothing was open and it was freezing cold so we knocked our visit to the mines on the head. It was really cloudy on top of the mountain anyway!

Another two and a half hours in a bus brought us to Sucre, official capital of Bolivia but try telling that to cotozens of La Paz! It is a beautiful old colonial city and we are staying in an incrediby plush hotel on the central plaza. After 2 nights on buses, in the same (smelly!) clothes, we felt we deserved to treat ourselves. The shower was especially nice and we are now clean, tidy and presentable for staying in such an establishment. Not bad for £10 a night each.

A bonus was bumping into my friend Kat, of the US peace corps, who we were due to meet in Sucre on Friday before our delays. We had a great farewell lunch of a gorgeous chile con carne. Outside the restaurant was the last remnants of a three day fiesta we were supposed to be here to see. It was great to see the marching bands and the fanciful costumes, and just a shame we only got to see the tail end of the event.

Sucre promises to be a nice place for a few days, and the sun coming back out would make it even nicer. Even so, the idea of sleeping in a bed rather than on a bus is good enough for us for now!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1094943600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1094943600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1094943600/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:33:01 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Uyuni, Bolivia

It was a long slog down from La Paz to Uyuni on the bus. Thanks to our friends at the British Embassy we didn't manage to get the first class train from Ororu to Uyuni so instead we froze on the overnight bus. Thankfully we managed to buy a cosy blanket to share at La Paz bus station!

Uyuni itself is an unremarkable little town with a bit of a Wild West feel about it. It is also bitter cold, until the sun gets to work on the day, then it is scorching! We had some breakfast in a small cafe which was very good after 14 hours on a cold bus. Then we met up with the two others doing the one day Salt Lake trip and eventually we got going.

First was a trip out to the Train Cemetery where we saw lots of rusting old locomotives from the days when salt mining was huge industry in these parts.

Then we went out to the area where salt is still mined by hand and saw the workers in action. It looked incredibly hard work in the baking sun and it was certainly tough on the eyes. There we were also able to buy various souveniers made from salt.

After that we drove out onto the Salt Lake which was very weird and almost indescribable. The brilliant white of the salt stretched as far as the eye could see and made a stark contrast to the raw blue of the sky. The heat haze played tricks on the eyes at the horizon too to give it an altogether unforgettable scene.

We visited the last remaining salt hotel, where everything is constructed of salt, even the beds! Then we travelled out to the Isla del Pascadores which is like an island in the middle of the salt ake covered in giant cacti. The largest specimen was 12 metres high, and with a growth rate of just 1cm per year, that makes it 1200 years old!

It was a truly memorable day, which we finished by dining on llama steaks in La Loco restaurant, where the bar is in the shape of an old locomotive. Then we sipped local beer by a log fire (well, we would have done but they only lit it as we were leaving) before making our way to the bus station for another long journey.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1094781600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1094781600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rrruss/bolivia-2004/1094781600/tpod.html Sat, 02 Oct 2004 11:21:37 -0400 Bridgenders in Bolivia: A Summer of Volunteer Work

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Coroico to La Paz, Bolivia

We woke to the sound of torrential rain and thunder. The beautiful view from our room was totally obscured! Still, it made it an interesting journey back up the road in a minivan.

We had the front seats next to the driver. I'm still not sure it is where Trish really wanted to sit. What a view we had from there, or at least we did when the clouds parted to give us a view.

The trip was delayed somewhat halfway up by an accident. A lorry had gone off the road but fortunately on the side where there is a cliff to crash in to. On hte other side it would have been certain death. That caused us about an hour extra on the journey, and suffering a puncture probably put about another half an hour on too!

Back in La Paz the British Embassy hadn't managed to get Trish's passport ready so we booked back in to the Hotel Rosario for another comfortable night. We also ate in El Lobo restaurant which was excellent but the decor was a little odd - pictures of naked Israelis on the salt lake at Uyuni!
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