And I am ready to The end of this journey . I have really enjoyed Santiago and do recommend it to anyone . I have walked and walked for the time I was here and it has always been interesting and I have always felt safe . The other day I climbed the stairs to the top of Santa Lucia and although I was a little winded I had no trouble with the climb . I am thinking that the physical exertion I have been through the last 4 weeks has been good for me ... although the good meals that are also huge portions has not helped my waistline. Shirley asked about water shortages and it really is getting to be a crisis in Bolivia . The rains are overdue and the farmers and the ... read more

Arrived here yesterday and after the wilderness of the Andes it was a pleasant surprise . It really is a backpackers haven and I feel right at home . The adventure in the wilderness was great . We travelled in a Nissan Patrol , 5 passengers and a driver through slat flats , lava beds , lagoons , water sheds of various sorts . There was no snow in sight but given the altitude the air was cool while the sun was extremely hot . At the highest point we were at 5000M ...and I coped well . Not a lot of anything that high except wild vicuna and Flamingos !!. Three different kinds of flamingos nest near the lagoons and eat minerals as well as the algae that is present . At Lagoona Colorado we ... read more

What a lovely town . They call it the white city and it is true . Many of the buildings are whitewashed as are the walls that surround some of the buildings . It is a city built by the Spanish and has an amazing collection of churches ( which always seem to be locked ) grand government buildings and mansions of amazing proportions . The hotel we are in is one of those complete with a ballroom on the second floor . It is really nice . Today we had a free day to enjoy the city and I have . Sybil and I walked all over this morning and ended up at the cemetary which was a site to behold . Huge family and religous orders mausaleums as well as niches for individuals in ... read more

Just got in from a birthday supper with the group at the British Pub next door . I had a wonderful braised beef with some red Bolivian wine . Dessert was a deep fried Mars bar complete with a candle . A good time and now to bed . Sad news my iphone battery died ...this means I can no longer access my hotmail ...you will need to use this forum to talk with me until I return home. Thanks for the good wishes.... read more

Well I must say it is a site to behold . My first reaction was surprise at how large it is . The photos we see are of the central portion but there is way more than that . I would say twice as much . . What we usually see are the terraces where they grew their food . Looking at the main area to the left are the living quarters of the Incas . They really were a priviledged class . They did not do the work . They did the planning and the administrative work . The common people far outnumbered the Inca and in other parts of the Andes had assisted the Spanish in conquering the Inca .They lived above the Temple of the Condor where the construction is inferior . The ... read more