Uyuni, Bolivia

When wandering off the train from Villazon at 1:00AM with a handful of backpackers in search of a place to sleep, a small bolivian woman appears in traditional garb offering clean rooms and bath. I say fine... un bano privado y habitacion simple no para compartir... basically I want my own room and bathroom. I mean for $5 US I think I can splurge. It is brisk but not nearly what I expected. The 8 hour train ride here was breathtaking. We traveled the Altiplano and through areas that were much more lush than I expected. The train itself was an experience, filled with bolivians, argentines, and a myriad of backpackers from throughout the world. I saw the sights, dined and drank wine with a man from Malta, then slept a couple of hours covered in a bolivian manta.

From one of the available guide books in the restaurant this morning I read "Bolivias bottom left corner is the most remote highland. With few roads, unpredictable weather, few scattered settlements, and unreliable transport, travel here is an exercise in patience and creativity. But the rewards for the adventurous travel is first-hand experience of other worldly landscapes. Mention Uyuni to a Bolivian and the response is likely to be harto frio-extreme cold. Nevertheless, Uyunis isolated position and outlook elicit an affectionate respect from both Bolivians and foreign travelers. The Bolivians have nicknamed it La Hija Predilecta de Bolivia...Bolivia's favorite daughter. "

I am hanging here for the day. When walking this morning I happened upon an interesting restaurant with granola and espresso. I know it doesnt sound like the roughing it thing. It was my choice after a long day and night. I am carrying on a conversation with the man behind the counter in castellano knowing full well he is not bolivian nor argentine. So I ask him where he is from... he says Boston... I say Chicago... he says No Way! While studying at Amherst he met his wife from Uyuni and has been in Bolivia for the past ten years. So tonight I am staying at the family's hotel which is wonderful by Bolivian standards. To give you a comparison I am paying $20 US for the night and think I am in the lap of luxury.

Tomorrow I will head to the Salar de Uyuni, the highest and largest salt lake in the world at an altitude of 3,650m, about 10,000feet and covering roughly 12,000sqkm making it twice as big as the Great Salt Lake in the U.S. So tomorrow it it Uyuni north to Colchani.

I am thinking more of Bolivia is on my list for next year or maybe I will just keep traveling now...just kidding, sort of....