Blogs from Oruro Department, Bolivia, South America - page 5

Here are some photos of the amazing children of Oruro. They are primarily of the girls from the Hogar Penny (orphanage for girls) and the underprivileged children at the comedor (soup kitchen) we volunteered at.... read more

Tussen La Paz en Uyuni, waar wij graag naartoe wilden vanwege de grote zoutvelden aldaar, ligt Oruro. Een stad van mijnwerkers en waar maar weinig toeristen een stop maken op weg naar het Zuiden. En waar wij soms echt werden aangestaard. De reis ernaartoe was wederom per bus, met dat verschil dat wij samen met 2 Duitse jongens de enige gringo´s waren. Onderweg werd, naar goed Zuid-Amerikaans gebruik zo hebben we inmiddels geleerd, een dvd gedraaid met het volume op 10. Een of andere vage SF-film met nota bene Charlize Theron in de hoofdrol. Bloedirritant wat mij betreft. En er zitten gewoon kleine kids in die bus; zo hebben we tijdens een andere busreis ook al Hostel part II voorgeschoteld gekregen, een horrorfilm van jewelste, die wij al niet trokken. Het vervelende is namelijk dat het ... read more

Catching the train from Tupiza to Oruro was bliss - a real nice change from buses, although being in Executive class probably helped as we had more room, seats that reclined way back, videos with english subtitles (although the choice of films left something to be desired, have you ever seen Tom and Huck?) and we got dinner and a drink in the buffet car included in the price. Most people took blankets on with them, always a sign that it's going to be really freezing, but until we stopped in Uyuni at midnight we had the opposite problem - we were being slowly roasted. After that though the cold outside started to beat the train's heaters so they gave us all a blanket and pillow, and yeap by morning the windows had frozen on the ... read more

As you all know by now, I can't seem to sit still for long periods of time. Perhaps its some form of ADHD, but I am frequently living with my head in the clouds, even while on vacation. After an action-packed 10 weeks in the hectic metropolis of La Paz, I decided it was finally time to move on to my originally intended destination in the jungle...but only after one last adrenaline fix. Challenged by the ascent of the last mountain, Huayna Potosi, but yawning over the lack of technical stimulation, I began seeking out peaks in the area that were a bit more hands on. ...And thus stumbled upon the stunning Condoriri massif in the Cordillera Real. After posting advertisements to recruit other climbers I had three more on board - a friendly but novice ... read more

Well, Rach pretty much summed it all up, but I will add some of my own thoughts. Many new experienes for me the day we went mountain biking: first time mountain biking, first time being groomed by a monkey and first time throwing up in a vehicle. Yes, my stomach did not handle well the Altitude, cold, and driving through windy mountain roads :). Pepto has been a dear friend these past 2 days. Overall, it was worth it. Rach and I both agree though that being sick makes you miss home much much more. Other random observations in Bolivia: The altitude/lack of oxygen does werid things to your brain. At times it feels like we are high cuz we are so tired, and at times we struggle to speak coherently in English or Spanish. For ... read more