Skylab

Where the market use to it yesterday on the streets is now where the festival is. Officially we were suppose to pay to get seats on the bleachers for carnaval but somehow we found seats on the front row that were empty and we just settled there for nothing. Saved over 100bolviano each.

Front row meant we were in the middle of all the madness. During any break where there was a gap between the marches, there was an all out war. It was one side of the street against the other. Dozens of water balloons flying from across the street. Our only choice was to fight back which probably made it worse. Since we were in the front row, we were more prune to get hit and believe me we did. I’m soaked in water. What topped it all off was spray cans of foam. We were sprayed at a lot. We bought a few cans ourselves and got anyone in sight. What was funny is spraying someone from behind and as they turn around just put the can away and theyre covered in white foam and confusion. Its expected so much that most people buy panchos to not get their clothes wet. I had tons of fun throwing water balloons and foaming random people.

The dances, music, costumes, and of course the girls were all fantastic. The dances were very repetitive but it made sense with the music. Looked to be a traditional dance the Indianian of Bolivia would do. The music had a drummy tribal sound to it. All the bands played songs the locals knew. Chanting and singing from the beat as they all knew the lyrics to whatever song being played made for an amazing atmosphere. Though i didn’t know any of the lyrics, i clapped and got excited with them. We even talked to a few people sitting around us who most were from Bolivia. The costumes the dancers would wear were crazy. All custom made and beautiful. Their were costumes of devils, angels, strange animals, and who knows what else. I think my camera broke because it kept taking pictures of the girls dressed up. Hmm.

After several several beers, soaked, and covered in white – we couldn’t handle anymore. For hours it seemed more and more marches kept coming in never ending. Time to call it a day. These Bolivians take Carnaval to a whole different level you cant even imagine.

Tags: Bolivia

Loving the luxury of this hotel. Though we paid quite a lot for it, it does show. Finally a decent internet which is why you been seeing me online more often. Taking full advantage of the free breakfast.

For lunch we decided to have something different besides chicken, rice, and fries which seems to be the cheapest and most filling food in Bolivia for about a dollar. So walked into just any restaurant. It was packed with Bolivians so we figured it was a safe call. Best part about lunch is its set menus. When we got the menu we couldn’t really understand which was a set meal and which wasn’t and talking to the lady proved to be just as difficult. Never thought trying to understand the same language we were talking in would be hard to understand. Eventually we ordered and I got a Lomo meal and Teresa got a milenesa meal. Huge platters for 25bolivianos each. Ive tried their beer here as well called Huari. Its crap. Seems watered down.

We had to walk all this food off and we decided to walk down the Carnaval streets that are blocked off from cars. The strip where the Carnaval will take place tomorrow has been taken over by markets of food, clothing, Carnaval party favors like masks, foam spray, waterballoons. and, waterguns. The amount of people on the streets nearly makes it un-walkable. As packed as a popular concert for several blocks long.

Throwing of waterballons is prohibited in Oruro because of the lack of water they already have. Doesn’t seem like the law did much because there’s a war going on with waterballoons and waterguns. As Teresa and I walked down further there seemed to be more open space then usual. I look around theres more then a dozen kids locked and load all around us. Suddenly were charged and basically jumped into a pool of water. The waterballoons actually hurt sometimes when they threw it with force. Teresa got hit in the arm which made for a nice red mark and i got hit in the face. We ran for safety. I had to get revenge. There seemed to be a few white folks trying to conqure them so i decided to join in. Teresa stood way back as she watched. I got 10 balloons and was ready for war. I hit a few kids but we were clearly out numbered. They scream and about 20 kids rush into us. I got hit again in the face and this time it hurt a heck of a lot more. I threw my last remaining ballons and called it quits – at least for now…

I started feeling sick. This altitude seriously gets to me sometimes. Head was pounding and i was breathing harder. Went to the hotel to rest. Seems like all that action was too much for the altitude im in.

By night time i felt better and i decided to scroll the streets again while Teresa did her things on the computer. The atmosphere changed on the same blocks Teresa and i walked on earlier. There were just as many food stall as there were people and that’s thousands. The selling of clothing went away and got replaced by food and beer and night. The scent of food was beautiful and i wanted to just try everything in site. For 5boliviano i got a choripan then for 3 i got this shot of some sort of alcohol with foamy milk. For one dollar i ate well and got a small buzz going. Beautiful! The rest of the atmosphere was filled with music and dancing.

I cant even imagine how tomorrow is going to be like.

Tags: Bolivia

Woke up early because i slept early since there really isn’t anything to do in Villazon town. Took advantage of course of the included breakfast. Checked out of the hostel to do some random walking around and find some food. I noticed a door leading downstairs and on the door just said some foods they were serving. We decided to check it out. Neat clean restaurant that seemed a bit more expensive then what we been eating so far in Bolivia. Sat down and there’s no menus and instead the guy explains set menus they are serving that day. Teresa and I go for the milenesa set meal. First comes the salad, then a big bowl of amazing soup, then came the milenesa itself with fries and vegetables. There was some sort of red liquid spice in the middle of the table that we could add but i had no idea what it was. Pretty good taste, should have asked what it was. It didnt end there, there was a rice pudding dessert. Couldnt have possible ate more. Two set meals that included everything and a 2 liter bottle of water cost us 36boloviano ($5USD).

We killed more time by wandering till around 2. We saw the 2 danish guys a few more times throughout the day. When we arrived at the train station, we saw the Argentine couple as well. Entering the train the Argentine couple end up sitting right behind us.

The train ride was had wonderful scenery. Took over a 100 pictures just from outside our window. Mountains and plain fields that seemed untouched. Later in the night we went to the restaurant section of the train. Eating the usual Bolivian dish of Chicken and Rice. I was wearing my BeerLao shirt when a guy behind us asked what my shirt said. From there we ended up talking for hours. He was from Villazon, Bolivia and got lots of insider local information about the country. We must have been talking for at least over an hour. Nice guy and a great way to get opinions of the locals and where to go in their country.

8 hours later we arrive at Uyuni.

Tags: Bolivia