Alien-Factory
Steve's Adventures in South America
I bought a one-way ticket to Venezuela and I'm not coming back until my tube of toothpaste runs out...

Nothing to Report

Mum, Expect This in About 2 Months!

I wake up hearing Sean's voice. Sean &Monika are leaving me today. They're heading into Peru for a pre-booked Inca Trail trek. I get up to say goodbye buy they're no where to be seen! I figure they had to rush for the bus.

I buy a few last bits'n'bobs and move back into a dorm room in Hostel El Solario, I figure it'll be more sociable. I have a cold and wish to spend the day in bed but decide to soldier on instead. I pack up my souvenirs and head to the Post Office. Sean gave me a step by step guide on how to post stuff for he spent hours yesterday battling against swarms of rude Israelis.

  1. Bring 2 x Passport photocopies per parcel

  2. Bring a roll of Sellotape

  3. Arrive just before 14:00 when the office opens

  4. Go to the 2nd counter CA9 to pick up forms X23 and CA71

  5. Keep your sending address the same as the delivery address

  6. State the contents as Ropa Personal

  7. Pay 15 Bs for a Blue Bag in the wrapping room

  8. Write "No Volver Bolivia" on the bag

  9. Write the delivery address on the bag

  10. Pack your stuff in the bag and tape it up

  11. Take the bag to where the forms came from

  12. They weigh, you pay, send it Economica.

Armed with the knowledge I walk in, get the forms and once the packing woman spots I'm not Israeli and posting to England she practically does everything for me. She even stitches up the bag! Superb! 300 Bs (£20) to ship 6.9 Kg to the UK, it should take 2 months.

Tooled Up Cops

On the way back I pass a huge protest blocking the main street. I later find out 3 towns want to claim independence together from Bolivia. That would explain the passionate chanting and the Police all tooled up in Heavy Metal Riot Gear! These boys were armed to the teeth with pump action shotguns, tear gas and belts and belts of ammo!

Mark & Mindy

More odds'n'sods in the afternoon, found an Internet cafe with a CD burner, cashed a travellers cheque, bought some blank CD-Rs, toasted some photo CDs and met up with Mark &Mindy for dinner at Sol y Lunar. They're leaving for the Uyni Salt Flats later that evening. I have the Goulash, it seems to be good cold food. From them I get tipped off about San Pedro Prison where you can "pay" to be "invited" on an unofficial tour. It has its own mini-ecosystem where inmates can literally work their way up the hierarchy. e.g. from being a Bitch in a dorm room to having their own en-suite TV room. And Cholitas Wrestling on a Sunday night, no bars hold female wrestling with local women in their traditional costumes! Sadly I'm not going to have time to visit any of them.

Back in my dorm I chat to Anika, a cute blonde German girl who's just moved in, before bed. Although she was lying down the whole time, I suspect she has large breasts. Sweet dreams.

Posted by Steve Eynon