To conclude Bolivia now an almost pure mountain porn!
The day that I thought it would be my last in Bolivia, I am in the Condoriri massif. Of all the nice peaks there, I'm on the Pico Austria (5350m), the perfect view of the other peaks (which are usually higher) offers.
I struggled for a long time to get up there (during my first visit to La Paz I did not manage to organize the tour), and this time the hike to the summit was a match as well. No longer optimally acclimatized, I had to work hard for the height. Something like that is always a matter of the daily form ... All the more satisfying, since the hike has kept everything I had hoped for: a magnificent panorama from further down, the lagoon Chiar Khota, and from above!
Good timing: after the walk less than ten minutes in the car, it began to hail. The lama at the bottom of the photos has no scales on the coat.
My last day in Bolivia was unplanned, at least from my side. Because on the way to the bus station, I found that no long-distance buses drove. In fact, nothing went wrong. (But nobody tells me, menno.)
It was the "Dia del peaton", more fully translated as "Day of the Pedestrian and Biker in Gratitude for Mother Earth". A public holiday in Bolivia ... So something like a car-free Sunday, just seriously.
In any case, it's fantastic to experience something like this in a metropolis like La Paz. Instead of traffic jams tens of thousands of people (rather more) alone on the main street! Live music, dance, sport. Much better!
At the end of the picture gallery a few impressions of this day.
On the occasion of my farewell from Bolivia here are three small events that together may give a picture. And they may show how I experienced and perceived the Bolivians.
1.
Bus station. I buy a candy bar at a street stall. Somehow the bar costs 5bs everywhere and I give 5bs. Get on the bus. A minute later, the shop assistant finds me there to give me change ... With her the bar was cheaper.
2.
On the bus to Oruro I meet a Chilean family. Since they also want to go to the train station, we decide to share a taxi. The negotiation of the price I leave to the Chilean, who finally comes from the neighboring country and can speak Spanish. 20bs sound realistic to me too. At the finish there will be a big discussion between the Chilean and the taxi driver. Only when I get there can I explain the problem between the two. The Chilean has given the taxi driver (in ignorance of the Bolivian price level) 80bs because he thought it would cost 20bs per passenger. And the taxi driver went out of his way to make it clear to the Chilean that the ride costs only 20bs. The taxi driver certainly did not want the 60bs more in any case.
3.
A Belgian hiking buddy had a small cash problem in the remote Torotoro National Park. Say he was broke and could not even pay his hostel. For the owner no problem: he should, after he has left by minibus to Cochabamba, pull the money there at the machine and press the minibus driver in the hand. He'll bring it to her on occasion.
I am a fan of honesty and trust. Accordingly, I felt comfortable there. Thumbs up!
