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Villazon and Tupiza in Boliver
Entry 31 of 54 | show all | print this entry |
SHADES OF THE WILD WEST ?
Villazon is a real old fashioned border town that appears to be a hub of constant activity. You can´t say illegal activity but it certainly seems a little dubious with lines of people carrying bags, boxes, sacks, parcels up and down the hill from the border post. Their targets are the customs post at the bottom of the hill or the bus and rail stations at the top.
The majority of those heading down are women toting huge loads on their backs in slings of big blankets, they are often dressed in the Indian style with bowler hats, wide pleated skirts, dark stockings and their long black hair platted down to their waists. Those heading up the hill use the porters with their barrows to carry the very many assorted packages to be distributed throughout this country.
It a traversing town, one doubts if anyone stops there, I can see no reason why they should. The few hours wait for my coach ride out was mostly wasted time!
Tupiza A town wrapped in the valley by huge red mountains and consequently always covered in dust. The scenery is quite wonderful, particularly from the statue of Christ that towers over the town. It has become a tourist attraction due I believe to it´s position, from here the many tour offices proffer trips of one, two, or three days in Jeeps, Land cruisers, minibuses or coaches. The tours cover the spectacular mountains and valleys, the volcanoes and even the astounding salt flats where optical illusions and mirages cause those who are camera buffs to drool. On these trips you need to be a keen traveler who doesn´t mind a few hardships, to me the temperature fluctuation was a "no go area".
There are many hostels here including the HI chain at something like two pounds a night, (plus fifty p for breakfast), but the best bet is the Hotel Mitru that charges three pounds a night and has the luxury of a swimming pool. It appears to be spotless and supplies all the trimmings at no extra charge.
Happy traveling to you all, just one more word, "IT´S COLD UP HERE" at the top of the world. TAKE CARE, Peter T.
Latest Comments (1)
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Villazon (reply)
Feb 13, 2007 12:17 EST by aku-the-parrot
La Quiaca/Villazon is the main cocaine route out of Bolivia. A lot of those bags being carried across the border no doubt contain more than maize... a bit more information: the Argentinians have sunk oil wells along the Bolivian border to suck the oil out of Bolivia! And yet another fascinating fact... a 'wanquero' is a type of flying beetle found on the altiplano that whacks gauchos in the face a... show all
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| 31. | Villazon and Tupiza in Boliver - Uyuni, Bolivia Feb 13, 2007 (  1 ) |
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