Monday, September 20, 2010

Travel insight: On reliability of Bolivia

Two important things not mentioned in the first Bolivian post happened before leaving Tupiza.

First was Miguel Hudeiro's visit of local dentist (note that Tupiza is remote Bolivian village). After struggling with heavy pain despite strong (and not particularly healthy) pain killers for more than a week, decision to risk an operation by Bolivian dentist was made. In spite of some comical moments (such as spitting blood into a bucket of water or rather symbolic desinfection using dish detergent), the operation of Miguel's gums went very well and costed around $4.

Second event was recovery of El Fredovito's headlight that he forgot in hostel in San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). This recovery was rather a miracle: El Fredovito realized in the middle of mountains already in Bolivia that he forgot it. He asked random Bolivian jeep driver to visit his hostel in San Pedro (Chile) and pass the headlight with another jeep driver to Uyuni (Bolivia) - this journey takes 3 days in a jeep. The situation got even more complicated, since the expeditionists had to leave Uyuni before the headlight could have even arrived and therefore had to be forwarded to Tupiza. All in all, the flashlight had to go through 6 random people (any of them could have easily stolen it), cross borders and travel around 1.000 km to get back to El Fredovito. Way to go Bolivia!

May the Maya be with you! :)

 Miguel Hudeiro during operation in Tupiza

 Miguel Hudeiro after the operation, feeling much better

El Fredovito and his recovered headlight

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