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Published: December 1st 2014
Hey! As most of you know, I am back home again, but want to continue the blov until I finish telling you about the rest of my trip! So, keep on keepin on and stay tuned! 😊
I left the last blov leaving you with my first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Like I said, I've seen it in hundreds of pictures.. so when you see it in real life, you're like "Whoa! It really looks like that", which I know sounds dumb, but it's really true. I still don't know what Machu Picchu is, or was for, and I know I could use the google machine to get all kinds of answers, but really, I kind of like the complete uncertainty. I'm not certain anyone really knows.
The site itself was a lot bigger than I imagined. You usually only see photos with MP mountain in the background, not the full panoramic. It stretches around and up a hill and down around another, with big drop offs supposedly used for "garbage". How would they know that? Right next to the rock that was where they sacrificed the llamas.. how do they know that particular rock was were that took
Inca bridge
boggles my mindplace? I don't think I'll ever understand! I don't know if I already wrote about that or I've just thought about it that many times.. hmm.
Anyway, we toured around a bit listening to Alexis and Javier tell us this and that, but really we just wanted to walk around on our own, in silence. So, after the "tour" we broke off from the group and went to the Inca bridge with the Aussie couple. Oh, Cynthia also met us at MP. She was like our little momma hen coming to check on all of us, it was so cute! The other Aussie guy also met us and we exchanged this and that about our trips. The funniest thing he told us is that his group also had a cake on the last night. So.. the whole point about Germy getting a birthday cake is funny because every group that hikes gets a cake!! Our people just wrote a birthday note instead of "Congrats! You made it!" like everyone elses! We found this to be hilarious because we are mean and vicious people. We never told Germy her cake wasn't that special, although we tried to imply it, a
sheer rock face
yeah! let's build a bridge on it! lot. She never got the hint, even when the Aussie told her they had a cake too. I guess really it's a "you had to be there" kinda thing bc this just makes us actually sound mean and vicious! haha
As I was saying, we had free time to walk around the site, take it in, discuss what we thought, and admire the beautiful day. We walked the 20-30 minutes to the Inca bridge. We had to sign in at a check point to make sure that we made it back out before the site closed for the day. That was weird. We get there and see the bridge. A dinky little thing stuck to the side of a massive sheer rock face. How did they even know to build a bridge there? How did they build that bridge? How many people died trying to build that bridge? What? Why? What was Machu Picchu?!? So many questions.. so little answers! You can't actually go across the bridge bc its fragile and falling apart, but still... looking at it, you just know these people were intense. We took a few photos, turned around, checked back through the cross point and
back to MP.
On our way out we got our passport stamp! Really, who doesn't love those? They are so small, yet they just make me so happy. 😊 We caught the bus from MP to the town of Aguas Calientes. We met up with the rest of the group and ate some really expensive, gross pizza. We said farewell to our snooty little guide Alexis, he didnt seem phased. We treated ourselves to an ice cream as we took a quick walk through the small town. Next, we boarded the train. The train was very nice and clean and even had a roof with windows so you could get all the views! I was impressed. I sat with the girl of the non couple, couple, and Bec sat with a rando. She was right in front of us and all seemed swell. Everyone was pretty tired from the past few days, but we'd heard so much about this train ride. How beautiful and scenic it was, to not miss a thing. Most of the boys were out before we even left, but us three managed to stay awake the whole ride. They were right, it was beautiful. So,
if you can't or don't want to do the hiking part, definitely take the train to MP! Because I think you should all go, of course!!
As we are staring out into the beauty surrounding MP, I notice Bec and the rando are talking. Soon, the waitress comes by to offer drinks, but the rando pulls out his own beer from his backpack. He is probably late 50s, early 60s. This is when my ears perk up and I start listening in on their conversation. He offers her a beer, but she declines. haha next thing I know, he has her looking at pics on his phone. I am watching through the space in between their seats. Bec looks back for confirmation that someone is seeing this! He now has her watching videos on his phone, and listening to music! Turns out.. he is a hugger. A leader in the hugging community, in fact. He holds "hugging sessions"! He has her watching him lead a session!!! It started out with just himself and another person hugging, but by the end there are probably 20-30 people arms out crowded in one massive hug!!! I was dying! Bec was being so
nice and trying not to burst out in laughter! Talk. About. RANDOM!! He gave her all his info and I'm pretty sure the link to his YouTube channel!!! LOL If I can find it, I will post video in my next blog, bc I just can't make this stuff up!!!! 😊 😊
The train brought us safely back, then a sleepy bus ride as the sun faded behind the mountains, and we were back to our hotel in Cusco. First things first, shower. It was glorious. Then, to put on fresh clothes, also glorious. I wouldn't say the bed was as glorious but I will say that having more than 6 inches on each side and more than 2 feet above your head was definitely glorious! And while we're here, having a bathroom in your room, as well as electricity.. also.. glorious! See, it really is the little things! 😊
Back in the beloved Cusco, we had a day or two to get rested and ready for the next part/upcoming end to this leg of the trip. Another glorious thing.. laundry day! Glooo-ri-ous!! Just picture me singing that.. clean laundry is.. the best! And that fresh smell.. mmm.
view from room over Puno, Peru
Lake Titicaca just out of frame to the right Too good. The gloriousness just keep getting better because I just remembered what we did this day.. we got massages. We'd heard this is the place to do it bc so many people have just finished the trail. Well, those people didn't lie. I would say this was the best one I've ever had in my life. We honestly debated going back for another one. It was so good. Now, I wish we would have!
We didn't do much the next night as we had to be up early to catch a bus to Puno, Peru, which is on the edge of Lake Titicaca. We were up, ate, met the rest of the group. Russell comes out ever so nonchalantly and asks one of the other boys to come help him. haha, apparently the 3 English boys, aka 2nd Direction had gone out the night before and were now out for the count. This whole trip, no one has been overly late or messed up our transportation or anything, it was bound to happen. They came out looking like they were in a dream. They had no idea what was going on. And they let us all know. "I
have no idea what's going on" "I'm sorry" "where are we" "where is my stuff" "what is happening" "cynthia, cynthia, im sorry"... it was HYSTERICAL. They were still so hammered. Russell basically went in their room and shoved anything he saw into their packs. haha, poor Russell, he takes such good care of them!! We did actually make our bus on time, but Cynthia was not impressed with them. When we got to the bus station the boys were just stumbling around, eyes bloodshot, saying "where are we" "what are we doing" "why am I here"... we just laughed at them bc they were so sincere and so pitiful, hilarious! Plus, they are funny in real life so in this drunk life at 7:30 AM, it couldn't get any funnier!
Russell and I realized that we weren't assigned seat numbers for this journey so we mosied our way to the front of the line so we could get in the front seats. We told Bec to follow suit, but the non couple Aussie couple beat her to it. Russell and I sat down and then the Aussie girl sat behind us. She didn't want to sit in the front
because it scared her, but the guy didn't sit with her, he sat in the front, leaving the seat next to him open. At this point, Bec (and I) was getting annoyed with him bc he is one of those people that no matter what the topic of discussion is.. he's right. If we all agree that the sky is blue, he is one to point out that actually its not because of this and that. He does it to get under peoples skin, and it works. However, he doesn't see that it angers people, he thinks its the funniest.. which of course.. makes it all worse. He can't let anything go either. Eeennoying, as my nephew used to say! Now, don't get me wrong.. we like these people! Well, we REALLY like her, but as you can see, he was wearing on us! He also sat next to Bec almost every meal, not his gf, and let's just say, he's not a quiet eater, plus it made her uncomfortable as to why he wouldn't sit with his own gf! We even did tests to see where he'd sit. Bec sat first, Bec sat in the middle, Bec sat last,
etc.. always ended up by him. I found it quite funny, but she was over it! haha This is all a major bashing to say that Bec wasn't sure if she wanted to sit next to him the whole however many, 6 maybe, hours to Puno. But the front seat is so good... she couldn't pass it up.
We were just cruising along through a high altitude part of Peru called the Altiplano region. It was beautiful with a wide open landscape for as far as you could see. A perfect blue bird day, until this horrid stench came wafting up both my nostrils. I knew that stench. I tried to avoid that stench the whole trek to Machu Picchu. That awful, awful stench. It burned your nose, made your eyes water, maybe even made your face squinch. That's when I almost peed in my pants, in the front seat of the bus, looking out over the most scenic view.
I look to my right and see the guy lounged back with his feet kicked up on the windshield, seat leaned all the way back, and his right arm resting ever so gently behind his head. His right
armpit was singing its absolute highest praises to the stench god. That's the part that made your face squinch. The pee in your pants part is when I looked next to him and I saw Bec hunched over with her face turned into the BUS WINDOW CURTAIN, gasping silently for breath!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am actually laughing so hard at that image in my brain right now! Y'all, it was freaking hilarious!!! The guy had his headphones in and was just looooving life! Bec was about to die of stench intake! She must have heard me because she looked over and it was the most miserable face I have EVER seen!! She was in actual pain!! I felt SO bad for her! I did get quiet the chuckle from it though because I had always told her that he has the worst B.O. and she always said she never noticed! I couldn't see how that was possible but oh buddy did she notice now!!!
We were about half way and stopped for a 10 minute break. Bec was off the bus and into the fresh air in a flash! She wasn't sure if she could make it the rest of the
hey colorful people!
I think they were singing us a farewell song way, and I didn't blame her! I was a person and the aisle away.. she was inches from the stenchy pit. This pit stop is when 2nd direction woke up as well as had finally sobered up. ha, those poor boys! Back on the bus and the first thing mentioned was.. the stench. Before we even sat down Russell said something along the lines of "what is that?" but he knew. He is too nice to be mean, and I sure didn't want to start anything with the guy who knows everything about everything. So, there we sat. Bec, I'm happy to report, did make it through the whole ride sitting next to him. She gets a gold star for that!! It was getting late and we were all sick of the bus. We checked into our room, with a view overlooking the city and part of Lake Titicaca. It was drizzly and cold and we didn't really want to do anything, but we went on the "walking tour" with Cynthia. We had a late lunch before going to the big grocery store as a group. We were going to buy things for the next few days, as well as
what?!
a floating post office!? "gifts" for our upcoming stay with a host family. We bought food staples such as rice, salt, flour, etc.
Outside the grocery doors sat several ladies spread out in a line. Each had a scale set out before her. People actually pay these ladies to weigh themselves. Maybe they even weigh their groceries? I have no idea. It was weird, and interesting. Like that game at the fair where the carney guesses your age/weight, except this wasn't a game.
We went back to the hotel that night to be up and ready early in the next morning. We took tuk tuks down to the lake and ended up racing through the streets! Ours won!! These weren't just any tuk tuks, they were jazzed up, some blaring music, some with racing stripes, all with bright colors... it was hilarious. We found out later that they only take people TO the lake bc it's downhill, on the way back, you have to get a taxi! It was crazy, and fun! Although I did feel like I needed to tip extra since we won!
We were boarding a "slow boat" to take us to the famous (even though I'd never
heard of them) floating islands of the Uros people. Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in the world, above 2000m! The Uros people began their very unusual floating existence hundreds of years ago. They did this to get away from other tribes. They used to have their own language but it has since died out and they speak Aymara. So now, we add that to the language list after Spanish and Quechua.
There are 65 floating islands. When I first heard "floating island", I didn't think one thing about it. Then, I saw them. They are made of totora reeds that grow in the shallow parts of the lake. They are used to make everything.. from the actual islands, to the boats the people use, to souvenirs. The islands themselves are made up of layers upon layers of the reeds. As the layers closest to the water begin to rot, they are replaced with fresh reeds on top. In the rainy season, they are replaced/added every WEEK. In the dry season, it's every month. They lay the reeds down in the opposite direction of the layer below, like a crosshatch. They place anchors down to keep the islands in
place. The family we visited had 4 or 5 little hut rooms on it, I can't remember the exact number of people but at least 10, including an infant and a toddler. There are about 300 families that live on these islands today, but that number is slowly decreasing.
My favorite thing about the Uros people is their clothing. The brightest clothing you've ever seen. You can see the women from miles away. Bright hot pink, orange, green, blue, and red. Everything blindingly bright! The men wear bright woven hats and the women have big pom poms tied into their hair. There is something about if youre married or single, have children, etc. The women have tiny little hats that make me happy too.
The women dressed us all up and we played around on the island. If you jumped, you could feel the whole thing move within the water. Even with each step you were sinking into the mass amount of reeds below. So so so so very bizarre!!! The room we changed in even had a TV. That blew my mind. They showed us how they cook with their clay ovens, the size of a microwave.
Naturally, they eat mainly fish. We took a ride on one of the reed made boats. The two men manually maneuvered us around the islands and back to our other actual boat, boat. I would say that those islands were one of the more unusual experiences of this trip. Seeing how people live, in such bizarre ways, yet so normal to them and only bizarre to those who would have otherwise never known people live on man made floating reed islands. I think its a hassle to drive to the grocery half the time!
From here we made our way along the "water highway", passing all the soon to be cut reeds, out to the openness of Lake Titicaca. This lake is divided into 2 countries. 60% is in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Peru says its the Titi and Bolivia is the Caca, but of course, ask someone from Bolivia and it's the other way around! Supposedly the name "Titicaca" translates to "Rock Puma", because it is often thought that the shape of the lake looks like a puma hunting a rabbit. I have no idea, I'm just reporting what we were told!
We, sloooowly, made our
Bec too!
its hard to see our cutie teeny hats! way to Taquile Island for a local lunch. I remember that it was fish and it was delicious, but I mostly remember that it was fish, served on a plate that looked like a fish. So, there's that! We did a little shopping in the handicraft shop, buying a head wrap/ear warmer kind of thing, and a bracelet from a little girl. The men are actually the ones that do all the knitting here, while the women do the spinning. Back to the slow boat, and on to Amantani, where we would stay the night with our host family. When we arrived, the "Momma and Papas" lined up to greet us all, complete with a marching band to follow us into "town". Touristy, strange, good. Even though these two islands are close in distance, they are quite distinctly different.
We went straight to watch a futbol match between tourists and locals. I don't play "soccer" anyway, but even if I wanted to I couldn't because my tailbone was still so painful! We were up on a hillside overlooking the lake. It was so gorgeous to see how the red terra cotta soil contrasted with the bright blues of the
my total skirts
they layer them so that when you twirl all the colors show lake and clouds. The sun was slowly setting and I was so thankful to just be there sitting watching people run around. Shortly after the games were over, the townspeople put on a show of their traditional dancing. The bright colors all mashing together was breathtaking. We didn't realize that we would soon be decked in these same colors dancing this same jig. We were called over and soon draped in skirt after skirt. I think I had on four of them, with a white blanket type shirt, hand tassle, and.. a tiny hat! We followed their lead, well, the best we could! Very entertaining to say the least!! After our marvelous dancing display we met our Momma! She was letting us know she was going to the house to get dinner going, while we hung around with her grandson, Freddy! He looked to be 8 years old, but I think he was actually 12 or so. Soon, he led us up to the house. Up, up, up to the house. It was Bec and I, and the other English girl. She was huffing and puffing up that hill! haha, and well, we did have on about 30 pounds of
clothing!
We finally made it up there, through the light of my head lamp and the faint light of the moon. We had no idea where we were going or what, but we followed right behind old Freddy! He showed us to our room of 3 beds. It was much more pleasant than I was expecting to be honest. We had a bathroom with a flushing toilet just around the outside of our door. He came back to get us a few minutes later and we went to the kitchen. It was about the size of the bathroom. The clay "oven" in the corner, a bookshelf with cooking things in the other corner, a small table in the middle, a tiny sink, and a very small 2 top stove top. This is more what I expected. They had everything they needed. We had a quinoa soup, and something else I can't remember. It was good. The conversation was the difficult part. Freddy is about as fluent in English as I am in Spanish, yet they speak Aymara. Yeah, imagine how that went! We had a little print out sheet with about 20 words on it. So, we just kept
repeating "delicious" over and over again!! I know this is cheesy, but it really warms my heart when just eating and laughing and smiling are enough... even though that's all we had, it was enough.
I was most impressed with Freddy eating every bite of every bit of food in his bowl. Most kids, who have more than enough, push veggies around, or whine, or complain, or cry... he didn't. I don't think its because he would've not preferred something different or because we were visitors, I think it's because it's what he knows. He, at this very young age, knows what it means to have food. Food that is good, mind you. Food he sees being prepared, cooked, enjoyed, and most importantly.. appreciated. I think this probably resonates deeper with me because I saw him first hand, and how old he is, to be so young.
After dinner, momma walked us back outside, down the makeshift steps in the darkness, and up the other few steps to our room. She pointed out that there was a bucket (a large plastic bowl) underneath each of our beds. Through the sign language (you don't even wanna know), we realized
that she was explaining to us that if we needed to use the toilet in the middle of the night... this was it. We were not to go outside our room and down to the regular toilet. "Night time, here" "You go here" with motions to the bowl. We all agreed. After she left, I explained this to the English girl. She was not impressed. However, if momma tells me not to leave the room at night, I'm not. I'm more afraid of why she's telling us not to leave the room than I am to pee in a bucket!! My bed creaked every time I took a breath pretty much, but eventually I let the thought of what lurked outside the door go, and I fell asleep.
I woke up to the English girl leaving the room... whyyyy? why do you do this?? Use the bucket, hold it, or something! Don't let the monsters of Lake Titicaca eat me alive!! I was frozen, not even one little creak was made. I hear her stumbling around, animals going bizerk, thinking to myself.. seriously? WHAT is happening, yet still no creak. I see a flashlight light turn on and hear
momma and Freddy. The reason (there's always a reason) she told us not to leave the room is because the sheep would think it was time to get out. The sheep heard her, and basically burst down their gate, breaking free. Also, the bathroom was locked shut, so she had to pee in the yard anyway. haha Poor momma and Freddy managed to wrangle the sheep back into their too small room.
The next morning momma asked us who went out. I pointed immediately to the English. Whistle blower? Sure. I wanted momma to know that is was not the American!! Plus, what was I supposed to say? I didn't know?! She shook her head and we moved on. There's no telling how long she'd been awake. She let us help her make breakfast. We rolled dough into these little triangular shapes and when we put them in the hot oil, they puffed up into deliciousness. We tried our best, but momma just laughed at us. I probably ate 6 of them they were so good.
Usually the tourists help the families with some type of work but this day was a public holiday. We took the sheep
out so they could eat, but we were bad at keeping up with them. We were supposed to be watching, but we sat on the hillside and built houses out of rocks. Bec was sheep patrol. Every so often she'd let Freddy know they were getting away from us, but he didn't particularly mind. The English girl complained about being bored, but I bet if we'd had to work she would've complained about that too! They had a cat, sheep, horses, and two of the cutest pigs you've ever seen. They would eat and eat until they couldn't take it anymore and then flop over for a nap! We saw a few of the other people out walking with their hosts, even a few were working! haha, Germy and wormy were sweating in the fields working so hard!! Germy probably drove them insane trying to speak Aymara and poor wormy was just there to take the brunt of it. As funny as it was, we heard the story of them working at least 15 times. Gross.
After some rock house building, rock throwing, pig petting, sheep petting, skipping, and running.. we walked up to a lookout and yes, it
was beautiful. Panoramic view on an island in Lake Titicaca.
We headed back home and packed our things. We met the rest of our people down by the dock. We said our goodbyes and our thanks before heading back to the mainland. The boat was still slow, but it didn't matter. We collected the rest of our big bags from the hotel and left for the bus station. We were heading down to La Paz, Bolivia. The drive followed alongside the lake and through the Altiplano, which has lots of volcanoes! It was impressive!
At the border crossing, I had to have a Bolivian girl meet me to make sure I had everything in order. She only had to meet me because I am a US citizen. This is the first taste of Bolivian corruption. The US visa is $130 US, but depending on the border person, it could be more. Thankfully she was there because I had to go from one counter to the other, keep in mind there is a line of about 50 people behind me. They did not like the fact that I am not fluent in Spanish, which is understandable. Sooner than later
though, I was stamped, visa'd and shooed across the border! yay! I made it to Bolivia! OH! We also had to go to a different border crossing than originally planned. Bolivia does not like groups like us coming into Bolivia, unless there is a Bolivian tour guide. Cynthia is from Peru. We had to pretend like we did not know her. She also had to go first, leaving the rest of us still to cross through, thus another reason the girl was sent to meet me. To be my much needed babysitter and get me across the border without hassle. I was only afraid I was going to have to pay a lot more than expected, but that didn't happen. Whew. We had to go a couple hours out of the way bc the previous group had a lot of issues. Safer to go around and avoid it, then to get there and not get in. What a headache!
The metro area of La Paz has about 2.3 million people. To say that it is busy, is an understatement. I was never scared here, but I have heard MANY stories of people being robbed, sketchy taxis, etc. Before we
arrived we were told that people (particularly old ladies) may come up and throw mustard or water on us. This is to get you to sort of throw your hands up in a "wth" manner, which is when they rob you. I know, I know, crazy, right? It's true. There are so many people living in poverty here, they do what they have to do to survive. I am thankful that I never saw anything of this nature first hand, but it happens. We also heard a lot of stories about people going out, drinking, and then being robbed whilst trying to get back to their hotel. There are not registered taxis in La Paz. Even if you get your hotel to call you one, it is just a random car that pulls up and takes you. Often tourists get into these cars, the cars drive you somewhere you don't want to be, rob you, kick you out, and leave you. Nightmare. We were VERY careful to know where we were going, and usually with someone fluent in Spanish. Like I said, I was never scared here because I never got into one of those situations, but as a traveler,
you have to be mindful of everything. The more you know, the better prepared. Even then, things happen.
La Paz has more "housing" jammed into spaces than anywhere I have ever seen. They call it "impromptu housing", and it is everywhere, sprawling all the way up the surrounding hillsides. Not an inch to put one more place. The pictures don't really capture as well, but if you're at all interested, you should google photos of La Paz. It is highly highly remarkable, in a very "I don't want to live here" kind of way. Oh, also, La Paz is the "City of Our Lady Peace", which I think is funny because it is definitely the most dangerous city I've ever set foot in. The center of the city is actually the base of a canyon and is at nearly 4000m above sea level. It has many museums and cathedrals, but I was over those and interested in their many markets! Such as the Mercado de Hechiceria... the witches market! Like the witches market in Arequipa.. there were more than enough llama fetuses on display. This market though was along a main street. You could buy potions, figurines, secret ingredients,
etc. all to protect you from evil. There is also a black market, as well as a plethora of handicraft shops selling mostly alpaca stuff, silver jewelry, and woven goods. We looked around here for a looong time.
Back when we went to the Ballestas Islands in Peru, I saw guy wearing a shirt that read "I survived Death Road, Bolivia". Ever since then, I have been dying (pun intended) to check it out. It does have an actual name but I can't remember that part. It was at one point in time the "Worlds Most Dangerous Road", but doubtfully is anymore because a nicer, newer road has been built nearby, which means less people travel it. When it was the only road, some 200-300 people were killed yearly. As we were looking it up on TripAdvisor we saw that a girl went over the edge just some 2 or 3 weeks before!
We went to the travel place and signed up. We had to leave earlier than usual because there was some walking festival, but whatever. We took a van to the first stop. It was freezing. We put on our gear of leather pants, jacket, and
photo op
Death Road gloves. And helmet. FREEZING. We took pics, had some hot hot tea, and waited as they arranged which bikes went where. Swissa and I stood in the van. FREEZING. My toes were going numb. I was not prepared for this. Then they said we could get on the bikes and "test" them around the parking lot area. This helped get the frozen blood moving. The first part of the trip is on the paved road. We had a little briefing, then took off one by one. This is where you figure out who you don't want to be behind! We were flying downhill! It was not only fun, but beautiful! The sun was rising, and the view was unbelievable. You could control your own speed, but the faster, the more fun! 😊 We were all yelling and hootin and hollerin, it was fun, and I like fun! Then..
dunh,dunh... the adrenaline started to wear and the cold began to creep. My fingers were stuck in their position. There was no need to pedal, and my toes were frozen. The wind shot straight into the gloves and didn't leave. After about 10 minutes we stopped on the side of the
road. I took my gloves off and put my hands in my pits. FREEZING. As everyone got there, keep in mind we are spread out pretty far, people started dropping. First 2nd direction, then the 19 yr old girls. They took their helmets off to reveal stark white complexions. They all opted to ride in the van to the next stopping point. Swissa told me how he had to alternate hands, one steering, one behind his back (out of the wind). I tried this the next go round and it helped incredibly. I'm not saying it was smart, but it prevented frostbite!!
We continued on, zooming down the road. The mountains looked as if they were a stick of butter and someone had taken a serrated knife to carve patterns along the side. Jagged, yet almost uniform. You had to keep your eyes on the road, but I couldn't help but look up every now and again. We got to the next stop and had already gone down about 1,200m. We started somewhere around 4,650 m at La Cumbre Pass. Now, at this stopping point, I could feel the intense cold had eased with the lower elevation. It was
Death Road
see the marker? There we several along the way. still cold, but not nearly as bad.. not FREEZING, just cold! Hallelujah!
We got to the starting point of the real, gravel Death Road. It is about 10 feet across, or the size of one vehicle. The fog from the early morning had lifted and we were ready to go! At this stop they did another brake check. Guess what. Mine had to be repaired! Yikes!! Now, I won't go into how amazing it was and blah blah because you won't really know until you do it! But, I will say this.. and with no disrespect, but people who die on Death Road today, weren't doing what they were supposed to be doing! I had the best time flying down that road! Really and truly, the faster you went, the easier it was to maneuver. The bikes are meant to be off road, to take on the rocks. The people who went slow, were more likely to bust bc they were hitting every little bump as opposed to flying over them! I was at the front of the pack with Swissa and the guide! Yeww! 😊 We stopped halfway for lunch. Crazy to think that just a few hours
still alive!
making the llama symbol haha ago, I was FREEZING, and now, with the lower and lower elevation.. it was getting hotter and hotter. By the end of the road, I'd ditched all the leather and only had on shorts/shirt. and gloves/helmet. The gloves were to protect my hands in case I did bite it, but still needed to hold on to the handle bars.
Bottom line... we survived Death Road, Bolivia! Yeaah!! and loved it! Double Yeaah!! Also, Germy didn't do this, so we got to hang out with wormy on her own, and that was nice! Poor Russell got to the end point, yet still hadn't taken off his leather gear... he was drenched with sweat and I thought was going to pass out! Bless him! The not so couple, couple acted as usual... he left her in the dust. And everyone else was somewhere in the middle! We buss'd it back to La Paz, only to sit in traffic for the walking festival, but eventually made it home. We dropped the young girls off at the bus station, as this was our last night with this group. We would be getting a new CEO the next day, and more people. We would
be losing the 19 yr old girls, the other English girl, and the not so couple Aussie couple. Russell was supposed to be stopping here but he loved us all so much he decided to stay until the next leg ended in Buenos Aires! haha, really, I don't think he wanted to deal with meeting a new group! ha!
This night we went to dinner for our "last supper". Bec and I were really sad because we didn't want to lose Cynthia! Who knew what kind of CEO we would get next! All we knew is that his name was Alfredo! Eek! We all arranged for us to have a cake for Cynthia, but at dinner when they brought it out they brought out two! She had arranged to give us one! haha so, we now had 2! We were all confused at first, but it was funny! Who says no to extra cake besides Germy?!?
That's it for now folks!! Next blovel... a new group and new CEO and new stories! Way to go on making it to the end of this one!
Whew!
Peace and love to you cutie readers
you!!!
MK
ps-dont forget to go to the next page, there are a few more pics.
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BKsGetAways
Brandon
Adventure
Awesome pictures of MP. I hope to get there soon. I hear the journey up can be a bit "interesting." PS...death road is a little too much for me! Enjoying the blog.