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South America » Bolivia » Oruro Department » Cordillera Real
November 21st 2006
Published: November 26th 2006
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I have some parasites or bacteria in mi estomago... not such an unusual thing in Bolivia, but still not the most pleasant of experiences when they have been habitating your insides for more than a week. I think it was from eating ceviche (a Peruvian dish of raw fish) which tastes great but can cause long term consequences not so favourable to your bodily systems. My doctor wondered whether I was trying to commit suicide. No... but ceviche is so good! Probably not a good idea to eat it when you are more than 6 hour drive from the ocean... and on that note I don't think I've seen a refrigerated truck since we've been in South America....

So the climb up Chacaltaya (the only ski mountain in Bolivia) last weekend wasn't such a memorable experience, for me anyway... I spent the whole time wondering if my lunch would come up or stay down. We drove to the mountain with some friends and took a couple of hours to ascend and descend. There wasn't much snow because the glacier has been retreating... so its a large overstatement to call it a ski resort. The one rope tow doesn't look like
The view of La PazThe view of La PazThe view of La Paz

To the left of James' head you can see El Alto and then in the valley is La Paz
its been used in 10 years. On arriving at the peak James, Scott and Scotty decided to bare their chests (at freezing cold temperatures) and scare off any martians who might decide to land anywhere close to Chacaltaya.

Other than that... life is ticking along. The teaching is going well. James is wishing that the American system only had 10 week terms... not 18 weeks. But only 3 more weeks until break! In the meantime he has found a soccer team and a basketball team to keep him going. His soccer team plays in one of the nicest fields in La Paz - mainly because it has grass and its dead flat. The green field reminded me of NZ... thats how much we see that amount of green around here.

The jeep is doing well... it is now fuel-efficient with a nice black LPG bottle underneath. Driving in La Paz has been an interesting experience... I'm just glad that its a big jeep and apparently its made out of steel. Which means doesn't matter what you do you'll be fine! Although it has no functioning seatbelts... since seatbelts aren't necessary in Bolivia so it would seem. It becomes
The car protectorsThe car protectorsThe car protectors

These boys offered to watch our car while we were away... the substitute for car alarms in Bolivia.
even more interesting when the one-way streets aren't sign-posted (and spasmodically change to two-way), when there's no give-way/stop signs at most intersections and when you have to go through a roundabout. James has joined the multitude at tooting the horn when in doubt or frustrated... it solves all problems. The multitude of policemen at some intersections doesn't seem to make much of a difference either... but they are good at blowing their whistle!


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DanielleDanielle
Danielle

I know you shouldn't have favourite Bolivians, but...
The view from the other side of La PazThe view from the other side of La Paz
The view from the other side of La Paz

We finally were able to make it up Muela de Diablo (the Devil's Tooth)
One of the greenest soccer field in La PazOne of the greenest soccer field in La Paz
One of the greenest soccer field in La Paz

Most soccer fields in La Paz are dirt. James managed to find one of the two green soccer fields.


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