We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Villazón
March 3rd 2010

Published: June 16th 2017

Geo: -22.0801, -65.5887In a spur of the moment decision we added another day to our trip north and headed for Bolivia. Do you know you can walk right into the country? Right past the checkpoints like you owned the place? But first we had to get there.The highway follows the Humahuaca gorge north through some pretty bizarre country (see photos). It's a geologist's dream. It changes from one... Read Full Entry

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Karen Lemcke

bobnkaren

TP PROFILE Former TravelPod Member: bobnkaren Joined: October 21st, 2009From: lives in Kalispell,Montana,United StatesFavorite Movie: Power of One, Mama Mia, My Cousin VinnyFavorite Music: light classical, oldiesHobbies: travel, people, golf, fly fishing, scrapbooking, sewing, quiltingLanguages: English, some spanishBucket List: Still deciding...Profession: retiredAmazing Event: Standing on the viewing platform at Iguazu Falls, watching that crashing water barrelling over the edge literally at our feet--spray's everywhere.Description: fun, adventu... full info

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Colorful Bolivian shop

Making Bob's fresh orange juice

Hotel dryer

This hotel in Villazon was extremely clean and neat. It only cost $18 US, including breakfast--a cup of coffee (no refills) and two pieces of bread.

The rare happy Bolivian woman

We hardly ever saw these people smile. They live a hard life and it seemed to suck any pleasure out of them.

If looks could kill...

This fruit vendor did not want her picture taken. Inga saw her pick an apple up and aim it at me.

Traditional dress

Waiting for customers

Serving supper

She has a large wok on her cart with hot oil where she's frying sliced potatoes and some kind of meat.

Braid Bangles

Bolivian women have long braids down their backs with some kind of bauble on the ends.

Bob buys a watch

Few men work the markets

Baby sleeps on sidewalk

The lady who sold Bob the watch had two children with her. One wrapped tightly in a blanket on her lap and another asleep below her stall. She wouldn't let me take a picture of her, but I took this one of the baby when she wasn't looking.

6th March 2010

Jerry
non-member comment

Awesome place. Love the pix and commentary.

6th March 2010

Jackie Jensen
non-member comment

Where do you plan on going next year???????????????

6th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

I don't know. Where do you want to go? ;)

6th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

Thanks Jerry, glad you're enjoying it. You really need to see this place to believe it. And it isn't advertised like the rest of the country either, so it isn't overrun.

6th March 2010

Paul
non-member comment

That spot in Bolivia looks so amazing. I remember photos like that as a kid in textbooks, and they always amazed me.

7th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

Yea, cool, huh?

7th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

Yea, cool, huh?

7th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

Paul, we have this great idea. Next year you come with us! You meet us somewhere for a week or two (!), we stay in hostels, eat once a day--it'll be just like college again.

8th March 2010

Paul
non-member comment

I'll actually consider that suggestion.

8th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

Your dad says he kinda thought you might. You think you're up to it? You might have to go para-gliding or sky diving or something. And you'll definitely get to get lost.

9th March 2010

Becky Mitchell
non-member comment

Do you get permission to take all of these peoples photos? Are they happy to pose for you?

9th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

Oh yes, they were extremely happy to pose for me...can't you tell?

9th March 2010

bobnkaren
non-member comment

Sorry, I was being a bit snide. None of these pictures are posed. They're all pure photo journalism--very difficult. Angie was a great help though. They speak Spanish, but differently--like English is different in Jamaica than in Montana. W
ell, Angie had studied those differences and could imitate them, so they though she was Bolivian, too. I got a lot more done with her than I ever could have alone.

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