It really is a small world after all
I'm currently in La Paz, Bolivia where I just bumped into a British fellow I met over 1yr ago in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. How cool!
Adventure South America
Ecuador Bolivia Peru
Bubbly on Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni
Scrap Metal
Bolivia's mining industry collapsed in the 1940's stopping the trains that carried the minerals to the Pacific Ocean.
Second Stop: Bolivia
On the itinerary is Copacabana and the Isla del Sol, La Paz, Potosi and Uyuni.
Camera: Stolen
I was pick-pocketed today. Looking back it was a textbook scenario and I know exactly when it happened, however I didn't realize my camera was missing for at least 30min afterwards. I'm shopping for a replacement, but the options here in Lima are inferior and overpriced -- not a good combination. I've obtained a police report and am hopeful that my insurer will come through with a reimbursement.
Update 1: I've decided I won't be buying a new camera until I return to the States in April when I'll make the jump to a dSLR. Disposables will have to due until then. Imagine visiting Machu Picchu with a disposable camera... Que lastima!
Update 2: I insured with World Nomads. Even though the claim process took longer than necessary I am very pleased with the outcome.
Nectar
Inca Kola is Peru's answer to Coca Cola. It has a very very sweet Bubblegum flavor and should only be consumed when in the company of a Dentist.
Overland Masochist
Tonight I depart Cuenca, Ecuador for La Paz, Bolivia via Lima, Peru! This journey will be reminiscent of of my Pokhara, Nepal to New Delhi, India adventure and I can't say I'm looking forward to it. There is a method to my madness however. Machu Picchu, the preeminnet achaeological site in South America, is currently closed due to flooding and landslides. It's scheduled to repoen in early April when I'll be finished with my tour of Bolivia and will return to Peru. Thus far the buses in South America have been much nicer than those in Asia so perhaps it won't be so bad.
Update: By the Numbers
Cuenca to Pulri, 12hrs
Pulri to Lima, 16hrs
Lima to Arequipa, 16hrs
Arequipa to Puno, 6hrs
Puno to Copacabana, 3hrs
Ouch!
Free Jazz
I was very happy to learn Cuenca was hosting its 2nd Annual Festival de Jazz during my visit. It only lasted 2 days, but drew great musicians from around the world. The standout was French artist Julien Brunetaud whose music is excellent.
Downsizing
Just as I upsized my tour of Asia, I've decided to downsize my tour of South America. My next adventure is going to be a very ambitious one which requires a lot of preparation and planning. I'm extremely excited about it.
Gone are Chile, Argentina and Brazil. What remains are the countries I'm most interested in discovering - Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.0 kbps
When I am able to connect to the Internet here in Ecuador, it's prohibitively slow. Sending anything but text is impossible. Muy frustrante!
