Shabby and dusty

After the four day journey, spent the afternoon and evening in a very poor city at the edge of the flats.  My room was very basic and cost only $7 for the night.  it even had cable tv and I spent part of the night watching CNN.

Many backpackers staying in this city.  It is cheap and it is a gateway for the salt flats and the mountains.  The residents of the city were neatly dressed and appeared to be reasonably happy.

I booked a flight in the morning to La Paz.  The thought of an 8hr ride in a old cramped bus on dirt roads didnt appeal to me.  A one hour flight in a very narrow plane (2 seats accross) was $125 and worth it!  When walking to my seat on the plane I was nearly bent totally over so as not to hit my head.

I got to the airport one hour ahead of time and the only person there was a soldier walking along the runway.  the cab driver drove me onto the runway and left me out there.  There is a terminal that is new and two stories high.  I walked in and there was no one.  Despite being new, the place smelled like a toilet.  Gradually people  showed up and I was able to leave for civilization the in big city of La Paz.  the approach to this very high city that is surrounded by the snow covered Andeas was breathtaking.

Upon arrival I went to the bus station to book a ride to Copacabana which is on the shore of Lake Titicaca.  I couldnt get there because the city was closed because of a strike.  It seems that the Bolivians are their own worst enemy.  I booked instead a 5hr bus trip to Puno Peru.

I spent most the ride having a great time talking with a former Israelly soldier and now businessman.  he was great company.

At the border with Peru, we had to get out of the bus and walk through customes and into Peru. The mass of life and commerce in this area was truly amazing. The Peruvians want Bolivain goods because they are so cheap.  Apparently, the Bolivians get potatos in return.  All the goods were being moved my bicycle.  It sure looked and felt like a third world economy.  Saw many money changers on the side of the road.  Saw one man whip out a stack of $100 bills.  They like US currency down here and at the ATMs, dollars can always be had.

The scenery along the lake to Puno was pastoral.  Many of the hillsides were terraced with rock fences.  Obviously, terraces from many hundreds of years ago.  Made it to Puno after dark, got a nice hotel.