Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Over the Border





It wasn`t easy, but we finally convinced the Bolivian consulate to give us our visas and let us walk across the bridge and into their country. Citizens of the USA are the only unfortunate souls who have to pay $100 each as well as suffer a ridiculous and tetious paperwork frenzy in order to get a visa- it is a political statement towards our government from what we have been told.

In any case, the scene has been completely different once we actually made it here. The people in Tupiza, where we arrived after a 2 hour hot and dirty bus ride from the border, are absolutely wonderful! Everyone is friendly, our hotel is so comfortable, and the food is actually delicious! Cullen didn´t care for the llama meat, however, saying that it was too chewy and the animals are too cute to be eaten. I agree. We took today as a ¨rest¨day and went for a 3 hour horseback tour of a gorgeous nearby canyon. It was my first real horse ride (no one controlling the speed or direction) and I freaked a little when my horse decided to follow Cullen´s at a full gallop. Not knowing what to do with the reins, I pulled a little too much on the right and nearly directed the spirited animal into a ditch. We got dirty and smelly and I am having trouble walking now, but we both agree it was an awesome ride!

Tomorrow we leave at 6am in a 4x4 jeep on a 4 day tour of the wild and barren terrain that surrounds us. We are going with a guide, a cook, and a really nice young couple from Switzerland (Hannah and Tomas), and we will arrive at the drop-off town of Uyuni on Saturday... Con amor, Melissa & Cullen

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

To the "wild horseman" Grandpa would have been so proud :) Mom in Fallon

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear they allowed you to enter the country. The horses sound cool but riding them does cause much pain in the other areas.
I remember so well.
It all looks so beautiful!
Keep the pictures comming. It may be the closest we get to Boliva for a while
Love Kari-Mom

Erica said...

Glad you missed the ditch, Melissa :). Interesting that only American's get that 100$ charge. Great pictures of Bolivia, glad you both are having a good time

Destro Jones said...

Cows are cute... kinda.

Unknown said...

Hi guys,

Hey, can you email me your email address? I don't have it and it's not listed on your blog. miranda@alohacondos.com is my address. Also, do you have Jeannie's contact info (short blond girl from New Zealand we met at the Torres refugio)? She's working in Santiago and we want to see her when we go to Santiago in 2 days time.

Thanks, have fun in Bolivia!

Miranda and Jim

Anonymous said...

oh, if only the bolivian government hasd prior warning as to who you all really were....colorado horse thieves! quick question, what was the name of that book melissa and you were talking about down at the canyon bottom. something about learning how to live an empowered existence or something... i may have decided to make something of myself! thanks for letting me know if you can remember!

Dad said...

Glad to hear you are relaxing a bit.....like 3 hour horse rides!
Your travels are making it fun to google the places you visit. Uyuni should remind you of home a little bit, as it's the world's largest salt desert (big sodium flat) which just about describes the drive into Fallon.. Ha!
Looking forward to more pics of your smiling faces,
Love Dad

Anonymous said...

Following every bit of your travels with my big globe beside me. Your terrific descriptions almost make us
feel like we are right there.
I thought you said you were not going to get on a 2000 lb. critter. What courage!
Love Grandma Pat

Anonymous said...

Following every bit of your travels with my big globe beside me. Your terrific descriptions almost make us
feel like we are right there.
I thought you said you were not going to get on a 2000 lb. critter. What courage!
Love Grandma Pat

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no prescription cheap tramadol usa - can you buy tramadol online legally