Buena Vista,
Bolivia
Friday, July 18, 2008
Well lets see, We left cochabamba yesterday with the plan to travel to a small port town next to a river and take a cargo boat to a town named trinidad. We arrived to the van terminal at 830, bought tickets and waited for more than an hour for other passengers to arrive. It seems to be the general rule not to depart without a full car. We noticied trucks full of police and firemen and I thought there had been an accident close by because there have been several bad ones lately. It turns out they had decided to inspect all the departing vehicles to make sure they had everything they needed. Unfortunetly our driver had not replaced several things in the first aid kit so we sat in the car and waited for him to go to the farmacy. The news crews also thought this was a good story so they are there next to our car trying to interview the cheif police and the guy in our car yelling that they were holding up our departure. It was quite funny. I was laughing, and trying to stay out of the cameras in the back seat. Its possible I was on the 5 oclock news here, I dont know cause by that time we were far away. Finally they had us change cars and we left in a different van. Once out of town we tried to get gas several times but the gas stations were out. I knew the red light must be on cause they wait till the last minute here. Unfortunetly we needed to get up a really big hill before there was another town. So we are lurching up this hill, out of gas, and when it would come to a complete stop the driver would turn around and point the car downhill (I am assuming to get the gas into the line) and then turn around again and we would lurch up some more. This went on for quite a while, and we did actually get to the top. Then of course down the hill the driver didnt want to use his brake cause he needed the momentum to get all the way to town, but it was windy and crazy. My travel companion yelled at him to slow down (she has been in an accident in africa, and of course traumitized). I actually was laughing thinking it was pretty fun. But we did make it to a gas station and everyone was in a better mood. So after this three hour start to the journey, we quickly entered forest, tropics and it changed from being brown to green. I was thrilled. We finally reached our target and had to get out and find the taxis, which is the only transporation to this small port town. I read about the deforestation of the rain forest here before I left and I have to say I see it. So much land was cleared of trees, for cattle, citrus, other crops, and we passed alot of logging trucks with huge loads of giant trees. It is quite sad, but I am sure there is much more I dont know about the situation. It was about 20 min ride to this port, there is a naval base there as well (I think their navy is of the rivers instead of the oceans). We found an office with information and it turned out there is not enough water to travel by cargo boat. We were offered a place on a small bolivan family house boat, but it wasnt very nice and their was not much space, and my travel mate, Regula, said absoluetly not. I would have gone actually, but not alone. So we decided to look more the next day and went to this restaurant above the river and had the best fried fish I have ever had. Our hotel was just fine, but after a long day, we learned the music starts at 10, right after we had gone to bed. Then after that there was a circus, and I swear 100 roosters thought it was morning all night long. We didnt actually get that much sleep. This morning we decided to go to a different national park (also rainforest) and take a couple day tour, bouce around a little and try the river again later. We took four separate trufis down this road to get to a little town called buena vista. Its a beautiful little town, green and there seems to be money floating around. I have learned that this area is where the best coca is produced and sent to colombia for a slight chemical change, and it does appear to be true. For those that are wondering, I have not found myself a rich coca farmer yet. We found a little lady with a couple rooms and are exploring. Maybe in a day or two we will find a guide to take us into the park. More to come. Its quite thrilling to be able to pick up your backpack and go whereever you want. I could get quite attached to it.
