You know your'e not that far, Oh

Trip Start Apr 09, 2008
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Trip End Apr 19, 2009


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Flag of Bolivia  , Santa Cruz,
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

After the last entry I went to the airport but planes were all cancelled like the trains for 4 more days. I wanted the train anyway so back I went to the bus station to buy a train ticket for the next available day, Monday the 7th. They said that the posh train is all booked up but the "tren de la muerte" was available. If you know any spanishor french or even english and a good head for guessing you can read that as 'death train'. But hey it would be an experience. Gave me a few more days in Corumba but luckily the music festival was still on and my friend was still town. Ate some good pantanal fish and met some nice people, all reporters but hey they aren't so bad.

Finally Monday morning came and I went to the bus station to collect my ticket, the lady told me to wait in reception of my hotel and a man would bring my ticket to me. Bear in mind that the train is at 13:00. I waited in my hotel until 11:30 then went back to the bus station Cathedral
Cathedral
 . They toldme that today was all booked up but that I could go tomorrow for the same price. I didn't have much choice so I went with that.

The next day I went over the border again I got to the station in plenty of time sat in my seat, and I could not believe that the train actually left the station. It wasn't too uncomfortable although there were chickens in my carriage but you get used to travelling with chickens in Bolivia. The train unfortunately did not quite reach the station in Santa Cruz, there were still strikes and blokades. I didn't actually see any but it isquite exciting to be in Bolivia during a period of political unrest.

I got a taxi with two Canadian and two Israelis who turned out to be great people. We walked around the city trying local cafes and shopping, that night we went to a canadian bar for dinner and then next door to anIrish pub for Guiness (I missed ale so much) and live music, all your favourite rock anthems with a Bolivian accent. The band were actually good musicians and there renditions were top notch. Definately worth the price of the beer (expensive for Bolivia but still only 2pound for me).

We had intended to go to a water parkthe next daybut everyone was hanging soinstead we found a market and I did some much needed souvenier shopping. Then headed to the bus station to catch a bus to Sucre, where I am now. Again chickens and about 1 hour late over all but still good fun. Bolivian people will try to take you for everything you have if they can but they are really nice and always try to talk to me.
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