Archive for March, 2008
03-01-2008
Off to Paraguay
Hello,
I have just spent over a week back here in Bolivia travelling with Alice. It was lovely to meet up with her again after three weeks of being apart. Bolivia was just as I had remembered it…cold, dirty, crazy and beautiful. I travelled to the capital, La Paz where I spent a few days getting used to the altitude(and a lot of nose bleeds). We then went back to Lake Titicaca, this time staying in Copacabana and strangely, once again, I became ill. Copacabana was lovely but I spent my time there, tucked up in bed.
Another bus journey later, we were back in La Paz and it was time for the trek up the Huayana Potosi Glacier(6088m above sea level). I was feeling better and the first two days of the 3 day expedition were great. We practiced ice climbing, using picks and wearing crampons. The final part of the climb involved getting up at 1am to climb for a final 6 hours, with the intention of reaching the summit at day break. We were two hours in and I had a very iffy tummy. I had to ‘go to the toilet’ on the snow and eventually, made the decision to give up and return to bed. The altitude had got the better of me and we didn’t make it to the top.
This was quite upsetting(as soon as we climbed lower, I was well again) but at least it means that I have a reason to return to Bolivia. Alice and I have made a pact to attempt it again when we are 40.
We are in the sunshine once again in the tropical city of Santa Cruz. This has really just been a stopping point for us because we are leaving for Paraguay tonight on a bus. Due to the bumpy, dusty roads, it might even take over 60 hours to get there! I hope not.
In two weeks time, we will be getting on a plane back to the U.K. I am very excited about seeing everyone but it also feels a bit scary to be leaving South America.
We are both looking forward to spending some time in a new country and afterwards, we still have Iguasu Falls to look forward to as well. We ghave a very busy two weeks.
I am really looking forward to getting rid of my horrible clothes and shoes, and having a final spending spree in Buenos Aires, Argentina before returning home too!
Have a lovely Easter holiday and I will be seeing you all very very soon.
Lots of love, Miss B xx
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