Leaving La Paz!!

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It only snowed for one day!! The next day it was bright sunshine and nice temperatures. We had quite a few days in La Paz due to the Bolivian voting.......basically everything stops and they´re not allowed to sell alcohol for 48 hours.....rubbish.

Anyway, the vote went ok and Evo Mendez won which is good......it could have got quite nasty if it had gone the other way.

We´re getting into the local grub.......pizza. There are so many pizza places it´s stupid. La Paz was a pretty cool place once we got our bearings. Lau particularly liked the witches market, especially the dry still born lama´s.....apparently they´re good luck if you build a house on top of them!!

Next up was Potasi, the highest city in the world, 4,090m. After a 9 hour drive we were up for relaxing but the hostel was, lets say a little rustick. We had a few drinks and it wasn´t the best idea I´ve ever had. Alcohol, Bolivian food and altitude don´t mix and I spent the next day between my bed and the toilet!!

Hi it is me now I was bored just watching Dave and those of you who know me well know how impatient I am !!

ANyway whilst Dave was getting better I joined some of the group in a trip down the local mine. It sounds tame but first stop was the market to but Coca leaves, alcohol and dynamite as gifts, then we got togged up into our protective clothing, hard hats and lamps and the off to the mine. To be honest it was more like an underground assault course and I have a couple of bruises and grazzed bum due to the jumping up and down holes, over horizontal ladders and slidding through tiny gaps on our stomaches. The mine was good, full of dust but shocking to see the working conditions ' the life expectancy of the miners is not too great ' christian I will not moan about my job again!!

Anyway we left Potasi this moring and have just arrived in Uyuni where the Salt flats are. We are jeeping tomorrow, my Birthday in case any of you have forgotten!!!, and then the next day continue on to Tupiza for a few days before getting to Argentina!

Also to update on our latest travel disasters, the clothes we travelled in, ie Jeans, t'shirts and hooded tops all got ´lost´ by the launderette, plus we lost my camara, I have already apologised to my dad who bought it as a present!! It is on top of a mountain somewhere we think! Anyway tried to call wonderful RBS claims but they are shut at the weekend and their office hours are not really coinciding with the time difference ' job for tomorrow morning, hopefully all is covered or I may need to call Mr Nelson!

OK best go, not got a lot of mobile signal but will call family soon ' hopefully Riley´s birthday!

Raise a glass to Gramps from us,

Take care
xxxxxx

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Comments

[Rob]

Happy Birthday!
Now get back here and do some work!

[Nev]

Happy Birthday!
Great to hear that you're both having such a good time (sunstroke and illness aside - always much better reading up on your news over a coffee instead of working). Anyway, happy birthday Laura! I'll raise a glass to you tonight (as long as I haven't failed my AS-level Archaeology that is)!

[sas]

Happy Birthday Worm!!!!!!
lots of love and kisses, Sas and Al xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[jean hodgson]

Birthday
Happy Birthday Laura - hope "jeeping" was good - shame about camera though, but you both sound as though you are "enjoying" (is that the right word!) your trek. Lots of Love Jean xx

[Christian Davis]

Travel Claim
Laura, I think if you check your policy details you will find your not covered for lost proprty in a 24 hour time period covering shopping for Coca leaves and Booze. That said if you bought the dynamite I'm sure that could change our views. All the best

[lyns and the boys]

riley's next
sorry didn't email yesterday but hope you got my text from the team! glad you managed the hike, not easy at times but it's well worth the view at the sun gate isn't it! riley the little monster is walking ahhh. he's so cute though, the current fave is to scrunch his nose up like some sort of devil child whilst laughing hysterically. he also waves and claps on command. i've decided to be an army style mother like family von trapp (stopped short of using a whistle though) as riley does not sit still and has his mitts in EVERYTHING. the joys of parenthood!!!! anyway. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (and the rest of the song). Hope you had a top one, memorable at the least!!! glad to see you are doing everything, go crazy until you get to rio and then sit on the beach drinking caipirinha for a few days to recover!!!! i'm soooo jealous as it brings back memories of what a fab trip we had and want to do it all again!!!! Post some more pics, take care, have fun, drink lots, see you soon. xxxxxxxxxxxx