BOLIVIA

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  Copacabana, Bolivia
Friday, September 12, 2008

So I didn't write too much about the Peruvian side of lake Titicaca since I was so tired and on a bad connection last time. This time I'm typing this from my laptop first, so then I don't have to waste all of my time on the internet typing. The islands were both nice and unique, although both Edgar (my Spanish friend) and I liked Uros much better.

Uros are the man-made islands made out of Totora reeds. The people on these islands seemed a bit more gunuine than the Taquile people whou were all but ready to pose for a picture, as long as you had their sol afterwards.

We were able to see their totora-made houses on Uros, as well as how they barter, make souvenirs, fish, along with many other day-to-day activities. I enjoyed my time there and thought the area was quite beautiful.

We did a pretty nice hike along Taquile island after checking out the main plaza and when the others had finished eating their lunch. The island was pretty and nice to walk around, but I was quite put off by the overexploited tourism of the island.

Anyways, this morning I got up around 6.30am, and went with Edgar to the bus terminal (terminal terrestre), paid our 1 sol terminal tax, and after a bit of waiting got on our bus to Copacabana.

Everything was going quite smoothly until I arrived at the Peruvian emmigration offices, where I found out that I was in trouble for not having voted in Peru during the last elections (thus not having the appropriate stamp on my DNI - national i.d.).

I was freaking out because it seemed more than certain that I would have to stay behind in Peru and say goodbye to Bolivia and my friend Edgar.

Yunguyo Church

After a couple of minutes of whining where I *seriously* did not think I'd make it through, the good ole Peruvian bribe kicked in, and I was able to get by with 5 soles, pretty incredible.

Ecstatic of having exited Peru finally, the Bolivian side was much easier to go through, and after another 10 or 15 minutes, we arrived in Copacabana, on the Easter shores of lake Titicaca. We then proceeded to check for bus prices to La Paz (15 soles / 3 hours) and hostels, where we found one for 30 Bolivianos for both of us (about 12 Peruvian Soles).

After checking in, we walked around town a bit, around the shores, and up the town hills to eat a cheap lunch for 8 or 9 bolivianos (about 3 or 4 Soles / 1.5 USD). I had a yummy soup with noodles and a not that amazing meat patty with rice and cold french fries.

When we finished eating, we walked up a hill up a road where they have a type of calvary road (like what Christians say Jesus did before he was crucified) and the view on the top was absolutely beautiful. The lake really does look like a Sea, and it was quite nice to sit up there and relax for a while.

Now we're back at the hostel, nice and fresh after a good shower, and relaxing a bit to then go check out the sunset which might be nice if it sets on the lake.

That's it for now. :)

TODAY´S PHOTOS

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Where I almost didn't make it to Bolivia	Bolvian Women	Copacabana church	Altar
Bolivian boy	Froggy in Copacabana

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