Ride-em Cowboys

Horses, some of the most beautiful animals. 

Because Tupiza is known for its wild wild west so of course we had to go on a horse excursion. We found a great deal, 3 hrs for $10, and took off the following morning to explore the red rock canyons with our guide who looked to be about 10 years old. Our guides name was Jose Luis, and he said he was 15 years old (still questionable) and he was adorable!

Our little guide didn't ride with stirrups, rode backwards and took pictures for us, stood up on his horse, seriously this kid was amazing!

Beautiful red rock, cacti, and the wild west

Our horses were extremely lazy and so to get our horses to trot Jose Luis would make kissing sounds and off they would go (he also had a stick which I think helped too :)

Devils Doorway

Note to future horse riders: 3 hours of riding ='s extremely sore backsides :) Mike was extremely glad that I changed my mind from the 7 hour to the 3 hours excursion (and so was I).

3 Days later..............Back to the Border  

Darn it, they were right......

Today we went back to the border to get legal. We checked online to see if it was possible to get out of Bolivia without an entrance stamp on our passports but unfortunately it was not (unless you do it illegally and we were not up to the challenge ;). Online it said that a new law was just passed and all Americans must pay an entrance fee and failure to do so will result in a fine of up to $500 and maybe jail sentence. This was enough to scare the crap out of us so back to the boarder we went.

We spent the day getting legal and walking around all the little shops around the entrance. The Bolivians have such a distinct look to them. They are much darker and shorter in stature. There is so much character in their faces. The women wear skirts about knee length with aprons over top, a black top hat, and two long braids tied at the bottom with a little décor.

 The children are adorable and so innocent. They stare at us with wide eyes and questionable faces. Yes, Mike’s beard is still quite an attraction. 

 

Altitude sickness (nausea, headaches, stomachaches, diarrhea, and lack of appetite) is something that both Mike and I have suffered with upon arriving in Bolivia. Lucky I don’t have it as bad as Mike. Because of the high altitude (approximately 16,404 feet high) and altitude sickness the locals chew/suck on coca leaves. The juices released help fight off the side effects of the altitude.  

Tip for travels - buy sorochi (altitude sickness medicine) it's a miracle drug. 

They have these huge bags in the streets where they sell coca leaves, anyone can but them. Just in case you're wondering NO it's not illegal to buy the leaves and NO it's not cocaine.

Fresh squeezed juices = Delicious 

Corn = main staple for Bolivians

The kernels are gigantic and they sell it with a huge hunk of cheese!!! 

Lesson learned: Do research about entering a country before you get there so you don't waste time traveling back to a city (2 hours each way in a hot crappy bus where we had to stand the whole time) to become legal.

Bolivia 

Bolivia is a country of almost everything. It’s the hemisphere’s highest, most isolated, and most rugged nation. It’s one of the earth’s coldest, warmest, windiest and steamiest places. It’s almost one of the driest, saltiest and swampiest natural landscapes in the world, didn’t I say it has almost everything. The one thing this beautiful country is missing is the beach. Bolivia is South America’s most indigenous country: over 60% of the population claim indigenous heritage. As you head north from Cordoba you can see the appearance of the people and surroundings dramatically change. 

You don't need to move...

You don’t need to go to the store the store will come to you. On the bus ride north from Salta to Bolivia at every stop we made little older ladies and men would hurry and jump on our bus selling food; hot empanadas, sandwiches, jello in cup, fruit in a cup, cookies, and candies. They would make their rounds up and down the aisle and then jump off just as we were leaving. It was quite convenient for us bus travelers and a great way for them to make some money. We enjoyed 6 empanadas for 6 pesos, 1.50 USD. The great thing about heading to Bolivia is the prices of everything are much cheaper. 

The Border ....

No buses can enter Bolivia from Argentina due to boarder regulations so we had the privilege of walking across the bridge from one country to the other. Once we got across the boarder we did the usual thing of going through immigrations. In immigrations all HELL broke lose. We handed then our passports to get our stamps and as soon as they saw that there were from the United States and roar of laughter broke out and people started taking pictures of us (well mainly Mike, we think it's his beard Bolivians don't really grow hair so his beard is a huge attraction). I felt humiliated, like I was at a circus and I was the one on display. I am not usually an angry person but I got extremely pissed.

They then proceeded to tell us that because we are Americans we needed to pay $135 USD to enter their country. Because of the earlier laughter we felt like we were about to get scammed by the Bolivian boarder control. Everywhere we have read it says not to pay anything when crossing boarders and hide your money because they will do “random” searches through your stuff and if they find money they will say it’s “fake” and confiscate it. So far what we have heard from other travelers and books is that Bolivia can be very sketchy so you need to be on the lookout. 

After about 20 minutes trying to figure out why we were the only ones who had to pay the fee we picked up our bags and left. We walked into Bolivia got on a bus and headed to Tupiza. 

We figured that:

1. We were pissed from hordes of laughter and pictures
2. We were the only ones who had to pay
3. If there really is a fee then we can pay it when we exit Bolivia

As of this moment we are officially illegal immigrants in Bolivia.....

Salta, Argentina

Dust

Sand

Tumble weeds

Salta and its neighboring cities are full of activities which constantly attract tourists from everywhere. With the rich indigenous culture and dusty feel it already felt like we had left the country. 

There was little time to spend in this wonderful city because a famous rock star was putting on a HUGE concert in the city that weekend and there were no rooms anywhere to stay for less than $60 per person.  So we spent one night two days strolling the streets, eating local cuisine, and rummaging through random arts and crafts. On one of the days we took the gondola to the top of the mountain to see the beautiful scenery.

sMiLe

One thing in common with a lot of cities in South America is they have huge crosses on their hills, they love their Jesus

A day of Gratitude

Today...

I bow my head

My heart sings a song of praise

Lord, thank you.

We are so blessed

Our bodies function

We can walk we can run

We can see and we can hear

We have food to eat

 We have clothes to wear

Lord, thank you.

There are so many without and in need.

So many with physical limitations, missing limbs, and mental handicaps. 

When you look around you notice how blessed you are.

Cordoba   

Cordoba is one city that we have looked forward to going to since coming to South America, not only because it’s rich in history, a city of youth because of the numerous colleges, and has a great night life but because one of our dear friends Luci lives there.

I have always been the type to laugh at those who ride the big red double decker buses around the cities on the “city tours” mainly because it’s full of old people or those total awkward tourist with huge cameras hanging around there necks. Yet, in Cordoba because the city was so huge, we decided to join the cheesy and do a city tour.    During the tour I played a game called, “wave at a cheesy tourist” this involved me holding the video camera and seeing how many people I could wave to and have them wave back into the camera. It was actually quite hysterical and the other tourist (yes, they were all old) found this very amusing. The video will be posted in time :)

 Us about to leave on the city tour bus 

Cordoba is strewn with antique looking building, it's a city that resembles a classic European city.

 

Ok, lets talk about this bead.

• 4 months growth
• Yes, a little out of control
• Scary looking (kind of a benefit while traveling)
• Tickles my face when we kiss

Results of the tour

• One hilarious video
• Sucking up our pride and doing the unspeakable 
• Entertaining the other tourists
• Some cool photos (one thing to remember is on a city tour bus they don't stop so you have to have a quick camera finger)

 Luci

While we were in Cordoba we stayed with Luci and her awesome family. 

 While we stayed with Luci she treated us to homemade Argentine meals and dessert. Luci and her family run a small business out of their home making surprise breakfasts for people. They make all of there breakfasts treats by hand and they are delicious. Pasta Frola was amazing and she was kind enough to give me their secret family recipe, I can’t wait to make it once I get home.

Cutie prickles, Mike found this little fella outside our window

We love our ice cream! Argentina has a heavy Italian influence which is really nice when you want some good ice cream!

Luci had the most amazing generous dad, he was a bundle to joy to get to know and hang out with. He has a smile and way about him that can light up the room.    

Classic mate afternoon tea time; we love how they make time to sit down, relax, and enjoy a family moment while sipping on their mate.

A "Thank you" cake that Nichole made for Luciana and family which was not that bad for not having all the same ingredients as back home.