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Published: June 25th 2009
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18/06/09
After waiting for nearly 3 hrs Angela said she had read of a place run by a trench man and a Swiss woman and so we set off for Dolche Vita which was surprisingly close to town and they had one room left. The place was marvellous after spending nearly a week in sub standard acc it was great to have a comfortable bed and a very hot shower!
The owners spoke very good French german and English making it very easy for us to know what to do. And so at about 12 we went out to see what Sucre was like. Well we were in for a surprise, the quiet town centre had changed into a bustling city with people and taxis everywhere, the major difference being that the cars run on gas and it was therefore cleaner with no where near the pollution of La Paz “guess that is why it’s the capital. You could also see that the people had more money here, with most of the cars being newer and the people dressed better, but the best was the choice of food, so much more international, which suited me as I had had enough
Sucre at 11 am
It was dead now full of People of the local food.
We had been given an address to a nice restaurant on the hill so we got a taxi for 10 bolivia and were impressed by the look of the place and attention to detail.
Angeles was not feeling great but I was fine so I ordered some fillet steak with mushroom same and somehow managed for say I wanted it rare because it amid perfect! It was so good I went and thanked the Chef.
19 /06/09
We had originally decided to come of Sucre first as the bus to La Paz stopped in Potosi and are thought it would be better to see it on our way back instead, however as Potosi was made famous for being at one point the worlds largest city because of the mining that was done there under the Spanish rule, forcing the local people to work 20 hr days for 6 months before their contract was up! We decided to watch a documentary first about a 14 yr old miner who has to work in the mines to support his family. Well at the end of the film I decided that I would visit Potosi but
Bus to Potosi
Had a peculiar smell and seemed lo take for ages but actually only 3 hrs not go into the mines as there was no safety and there were also large amounts of asbestos still around but the major reason is that the kids working there get $25 per month and I was not prepared to make the mine owner benefit from my Forex. For this reason we decided to just go of Potosi for the day.
20/06/09
Went to the bus terminal for 8 and got a bus to Potosi for 15 Bolivia which was a good deal above had heard that it was 25 bolivia we started late no surprise and after 2 his with still 80 km’s to go we thought that the 3 hrs would turn into 4, however after clearing the escarpment the bus came to life and we shot off and arrived within the 3 hrs promised.
We quickly realized that the bus was not to be the method of transport for the return route and proceeded to make sure we could find a taxi back. After asking for directions to the city centre and being lied lo again that it was 10 min walk we got a taxi and 10 min drive later we were in the
From Potosi to Sucre
Just some different mountains central plaza which was quaint but nothing amazing. It was now 12 and we decided lo find out if there were any tours available, however no one had told as that it was a holiday and on top of this a sundog so other than another hot spring to visit there was nothing of do but look at the city.
The guide book suggested eating at the best hotel in town, the Santa Mana, well if anyone reading this from the western world and with some sort of taste is going to Potosi, go somewhere else ! What we asked for was not what we received and on top of this the obligatory hair was found in the food, not surprising in a local food hall where hygiene is not big, but in the finest hotel in town where the chef and staff wore hair nets just unacceptable!
We left after having some omelets which made as feel nauseated and headed for the taxi rank where we felt like Gazzel as the taxi drivers tried to get our business.
Angela is a tough cookie and we got a nice taxi for 80 Bolivia just 2 of as which was a
very good deal we were told.
Beer Blog - Potosina a lovely golden and slightly bitter Pilsener that is refreshing lo drink when most S American been are always slightly sweet.
21/06/09
Today are are leaving Sucre and so want to see some of the museums but in our haste to get everything done we only managed one about the archaeology of the region and so mind the textile museum which is supposed to be the best weaving in Bolivia.
At lunch we went back to EL Heuchero the restaurant where I had the great steak. When we arrived-there was someone having a lovely steak which ‘decided to have and although it was good it was not as good as before.
Went of the bas station for 630 to get the bus to La Paz we had opted for the Vip bas and had paid 135 Bolivia on Eldorado as we thought we would be able of sleep in the bed like chairs that fold flat How wrong were we?
Firstly the heating was up so high we were all sweating and after much talking of the driver we realized that this is how it was. I was not too worried as ‘had water with me and had taken off my shirt!
On arrival at Potosi the bus stopped for some extended time and ‘thought it best to use this tine to go the the toilet on the bus only to find out it was out of order and no one on the bus knew this.
After informing everyone that there was no toilet for the next 9 hours people poured off the bus to relieve themselves a bit worried as to the heat, water consumption and all, of toilet. I jumped off the bus spoke month the driver who told me not to worry he wasn’t going anywhere. On exiting the toilet I was therefore quite surprised to see the bus running and startingto pull away minas 3 or 4 passengers. !!! I quickly raced over and boarded thankful I had been to the toilet. When I arrived at mg seat I was surprised lo find a bolivian lady sat in the isle next of mg chair, making it very difficult for me to lay my chair Hat without putting my head almost in her lap!
Well there was no options but to get on and try to sleep. Some time in the night it seemed to get very cold bat ever thoughtful I had my sleeping bag and so was not worried, however by this time my friendly neighbour had fallen asleep an the Floor of the passageway thereby making it impossible for me to get out, so having a broken toilet was a blessing in disguise.
Before I had Boarded the night before I had met an Irish couple from Galway who were on their honeymoon and they had been in Sucre in a hotel without hot water and were now trying to get back to La Paz so they could change their ticket and go to Rio. As the series of events on the bus unfolded I thought that I was a traveller and not on my honeymoon and so I should not be that upset.
22/06/09
Arrived in La Paz not sure how far we were from town, gave Patricia and Keith an address to a good hotel and then proceeded to be gouged by the local taxi drivers for 17 Bolivia for what -turned out of Be a 5 min taxi ride, we were rewarded however when the driver had to take a long route because of road closures. Seems there is always a threat of strikes in La Paz.
Later on we decided that to book oar Amazon tour through an agent was going to cost way too much and so after being told by one agent it would be cheaper if we did it ourselves we went and purchased tickets of Rurrenabaque and also had lunch at the plaza again although this time it was not that great, I think weekends are the best. Now I can just relax and wait for the Amazon instalment of my adventure!
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