Horse trek

Trip Start Feb 10, 2006

Trip End Feb 01, 2007

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Flag of Bolivia Tupiza, Bolivia
Monday, July 17, 2006

Decided to face my fears and hire a horse to explore the canyons and valleys around Tupiza (never been mad on transport that doesn´t include a brake). Four, fairly healthy looking horses were saddled up for myself, Allan, Anja and our stroppy 18yr old guide. We explained that I was the least experienced, followed by Allan so the guide promptly put me on the least manageable horse (followed by Allan). We just wanted to get the horses to take their time and walk round the circuit so we could soak up the scenery and take lots of photos but my horse was having none of it and a full-scale battle of wills ensued as he tried to gallop and I tried to stop him - I won but dropped my camera in the process so was not a happy bunny.

We followed a river-bed for most of the day with a picnic in a gorgeous little spot surrounded by cliffs. Ended up in a little village for the night with another stroppy 18yr old guide and his English police officer tourist. Guides asked us what time we would like to leave the next morning but then continued their power games as the time came and went...Allan got them moving but they weren´t happy at not getting to boss us round any more - guess they haven´t got the hang of good service meaning tips? Crazy as they could make a fortune out of tourists as the trip is so cheap. My horse continued to break into a trot every few seconds then lost it completely when the English cop galloped past - I threw a strop and got off saying I would walk rather than get back on that horse (a girl had been thrown the day before in the same circumstances so I didn´t feel I was over-reacting). The guide then swapped horses with me and, low and behold, his horse was an angel!! I discovered I´m not such a bad rider as I´d thought and had a lovely day plodding back to Tupiza.