Bolivia (Copacabana, Isla del Sol, La Paz, Salar de Uyuni)

Imechapishwa: 21.09.2022

Hello friends,

we continued our journey first to Puno, our last stop in Peru, and from there to the Isla de los Uros, floating islands on Lake Titicaca (altitude: 3,800m, size: 8,372 sqm). The population here hid on the islands in the lake from the Incas, who continued to expand their empire and left the residents of the conquered areas with little choice between submission or death. The islands made of totora reeds last about 10 years, are anchored with about 6 anchors, and must be continuously covered with new reeds. A barren, harsh, humid life without shade, exposed to intense sunlight all day long.

Despite the exciting insights into this life, we felt a little uncomfortable here. We understand that everyone here wants a piece of tourism, but it also made us a little sad that sacred/religious customs (dances, songs, etc.) for the "reactivación del turismo" are no longer held only on special occasions, but for the entertainment of the "gringos". Nevertheless, the people here, like everyone else we have met on our journey so far, are very friendly and helpful, and we also enjoyed this slightly different day trip very much.

We continued to Bolivia - and to our first land border crossing. Pretty easy - we have had some other experiences on our world trip 😱🤭 - and we let our souls dangle in the small town of Copacabana, with the only port in all of Bolivia, with our new hairy friends.

A day trip took us to Isla del Sol, where, according to legend, the first Incas emerged from the water - a very special place for the residents here.

We continued by bus to La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia. A fascinating city with about 2.5 million inhabitants, built in a canyon at an altitude of 3,200 to 4,100 meters. In addition to minibuses (collectivos), since 2014 you can also move around here with cable cars. We already know the feeling of getting into a cable car without skis from Medellin in Colombia.. 😊

There is really a lot to discover here and some really curious things in the markets - for example, there is a witch market where alpaca babies are exhibited, which you can either buy or offer small sacrifices with the help of a shaman to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) to ask for something (money, a new car, a house, health, etc.). A little eerie.. 🙈

Or - and this is really one of the most bizarre things we have ever experienced: Cholita Wrestling. Cholita is the name given to the traditionally dressed women here, with multi-layered skirts, long braided hair, and a hat that is too small on their heads. And yes, for the past 20 years, a selection of about 30 Bolivian women have been "fighting" against each other in a wrestling show every Thursday and Sunday. Entertainment factor: 10000!

After this cultural shock, we spent 3 days in the salt flats and volcanic landscape on the border with Chile. The starting point for this is the small town of Uyuni, which reminded us of a cowboy town from an old western film - lots of dust, many dogs, dry - but no horses, only hundreds of 4x4s that take curious tourists to the Salar de Uyuni, the salt flats, first. This place is famous for the funny photos that can be taken here in all sorts of variations during the dry season. There are no limits to creativity. Here is a selection of our best shots :)

After that, we made further stops along breathtaking lagoons, small oases, volcanoes, etc.

This is a harsh climate here and honestly, we were pretty cold. We were always at an altitude of about 4,000 to 5,000 meters. (Through acclimatization and trusting Bolivian medication - we didn't receive a package insert - Lisa was quite fit this time too... Spoiler: so far she hasn't had any noticeable side effects, but if a third arm grows or an ear falls off, it could lead back to Bolivia 😅)

After a somewhat bureaucratic border crossing into Chile - the two countries historically do not have the most amicable relationship - we have already arrived in San Pedro de Atacama, in the driest desert in the world.