Today Bolivia

Feb 22-23 Tilicara to Tupiaza

Yay, Bolivia once again. We have been trying to get into Bolivia since we left Lima but due to the torrential rains and subsequent flooding it has been impractical to attempt. Today there will be no excuses or reasons not to enter the country, we enjoy a quick breakfast then set to journey north and the border.

The route is very scenic and for the first time in what seems like forever we are reunited with the color green.  The high hills are multicolored rock and minerals but the lower areas are covered with patchy grasses and the valley floor is lush with crops and pastures. We are still in Argentina but it looks so much like Bolivia it is hard to differentiate.

The border crossing is very busy with Argentines returning from cross border shopping and such, we manage to get through the process in less than an hour and are soon greeted by the sensory overload that is Bolivia. Sounds, sights, and let us not forget smells (good and bad) greet us as soon as we cross the bridge into the country. We had thought about staying here overnight but soon realized that we would enjoy Tupiza more than the border town of Villazon.

Just outside the city we see numerous families enjoying the last days of Carnival by having what can only be described as a picnic. They do it a little different here though, not much for facilities but that does not stop them from roasting whole goats over the campfire and playing soccer while it slowly cooks to perfection. Just park the car in the pasture and get to it.

The pavement winds its way along first across a bit of a plain uneventful area but as we get closer to Tupiza we are greeted by the red rock formations that change appearance as the sun moves across the sky. They are very photogenic and our only wish is that we had better cameras to capture what our eyes are seeing.

The river that was almost breaking the bank on our last visit is just a little trickling stream this year. We remember that the water level was almost to the bottom of the bridge but today there is barely any water flowing. They must have done some flood mitigation upstream or it is just drier today in the high country and there is no flash flooding down here in the valley. Whatever the reason is nice to check into our hotel and go snooping in the town. Another great day on the road.

Food and drink. $7CAD, great value and tasty.