Hiking at 12.5K ft with 40 extra lbs
The major hail storm woke us up this morning. It was so crazy and hard, I was hoping it wouldn’t break the windows. It finally stopped around 7am, just in time for our morning walk. Yesterday we decided to walk from the north to the south end of the island. We heard it only would take 3 hours but we thought it would take less. It was beautiful out so we put on our 40 lb backpacks and headed out. Along the way we met up with a Norwegian couple. They were planning on walking to the south as well but they weren’t sure of the route. We showed them the direction, not the directions they were given of course, and the four of us headed out. They were hesitant since the dark clouds seems to be coming our way again. Andy said we were going for it and they did too.
Not only were we walking up steep hills, but we were at high altitude with huge weights on our backs. The walk wasn’t easy but it only took us two hours. Every time we walked down I hated it because I knew we’d have to walk back up. The views were beautiful, but I was concentrating on breathing and not passing out since we have a flight to catch tomorrow. As I mentioned it hailed just a few hours earlier so there was some snow on the ground. Could have fooled me- I had my jacket off since I was breathing so heavily.
At the top of the hill where we were to catch the ferry, we stopped for some much deserved pizza. Apparently this guy was a chef and now he serves organic vegetarian pizza. It might have been the most delicious food I’ve ever had (not just because I was starving). The four of us ate our pizza overlooking Lake Titicaca for the last time. We enjoyed our meal and made it down the very steep hill to hopefully catch a ferry. The ferry we wanted to catch just left, but like many countries we had money so they took the four of us and another family. Good thing because the next ferry was at 330, meaning it wouldn’t get to Copacabana until 530 and we’d miss the last bus to La Paz and in turn miss our flight the next morning. Anyways, we got to Copacabana at 130, just as a buz for La Paz was leaving. We ran and stopped it. The four of us not only stopped the bus but we got the last seats on it. How’s that for luck (again)!! We enjoyed the ride back and the Andies in the background.
Made it back to La Paz in the daylight which was good since another parade was going on. There was just a parade last Sunday, now they need another one? We couldn’t cross the street anywhere so we got a room at a hostel down from where we previously stayed. Dropped our stuff off and out for dinner. Walking through the crowd I was getting really aggravated. My last experience with a La Paz parade didn’t go too well and I wasn’t up for it again. We quickly found a tourist place to eat (since I didn’t want fried food). We made it back to the hostal with no injuries and no fights.
In desperate need of a shower, I turned on the hot water not expecting much. A minute later, I saw steam coming from the bathroom. We raced for the bathroom since neither of us has had a hot shower in a month. Andy slipped and crashed on the floor- I was victorious (and it was totally worth it). Best shower ever. It’s now almost 10 and the damn parade is still going on. I’m glad I’m not out in that crowd- bad things would definitely happen. It amazing how trashed Bolivians get when celebrating Jesus.