As we settle into our week at the Valle Nevado ski resort in Chile and our 163rd meal out in a row, we thought we'd share a few thoughts and reflections about our time in Bolivia...
#It is impossible to not to have the "at the copa, copacabana" song stuck in your head when you are in Copacabana.
#It smells like URINE almost everywhere in Bolivia. No proper waste management in the country.
#We may not have summitted Huayna Potosi, turning back at over 19,000 ft. just a few meters below the summit, but at least we didn't freeze to death like the lady did two days before our attempt.
#The "death ride" wasn't really that bad, but sure a lot of fun. From a snow covered mountain pass to the Amazon basin. What a lesson in climate zones.
#The land of Che. His image is everywhere!
#We saw the president playing soccer. Evo Morales, his social programs, presence, distractors, and supporters are highly visible in this interesting country.
#Distictive red brick construction. Everything is made out of these bricks and there are stacks of them everywhere.
#For what was supposed to be our most "dangerous" destination, we sure felt safe and had no problems. My dropped beanie was even returned to me by a stranger. In Ecuador, it would have been gone!
#The most indigenous population in South America. Gotta love those bowler hats.
#For a country so pround of it's national beer, Pacena, it sure sucks. Think warm, foamy, Michalob Light.
#It is amazing how high everything is and how much land is so high. We spent 10 days between 10,000 and 19,000 feet.
#Bolivia looks amazingly similiar to southern Idaho, but then the potatoes knew that.
#Everything happens slowly in Bolivia, except driving, maybe it is that elevation.
#We followed the flu season. Everywhere we went we encountered hacking, sniffling, runny red eyed people. We've never washed our hands or gargled more!
#There are NO grocery stores in Bolivia. Everything is sold on the street.
#We did not meet another American tourist. Lots of Europeans, mostly Germans in tour groups.
#New definition for CHEAP. The western hemisphere's cheapest country. We'll use our airport transfer price as an example... U.S. $30 Costa Rica $25 Ecuador $16 Bolivia $8 Chile $36
#The world's most unique capital city, La Paz, in a country that uniquely has 2 capital cities.
#Global warming first hand. The world's highest ski area is no longer. 5 years ago the glacier disappeared. We experienced weather that locals told us had never happened before this time of year. The capital La Paz and neighbor El Alto, the fastest growing city in south america now at over 1 million, rely on melt water from dying glaciers. 58% of the population is under 14... one day we will hear about a Water Civil War in Bolivia.
#Finally, it is impossible not to chuckle when you say Lake Titicaca.
