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A 18-day adventure by The Roaming Realtor Read more
  • 18footprints
  • 4countries
  • 18days
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  • 7.4kmiles
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  • TravelerEscape from Michigan Winter
    Day 12

    Infinity and Beyond

    February 19, 2018 in Bolivia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    Hello from the Bolvian Salt Flats,

    As I have spoken, today was my reason for booking the whole trip and it did not disappoint.
    Our first stop was the train graveyard. Many years ago steam engines were brought from the State's. They did not have mechanics to fix them, so when they stopped working they were brought here to rust the remainder of their days. As you can see the sky was amazing making for some great pictures.
    Our next stop was the Salt Flats. We traveled in comfy 4wd trucks. By choice I came to Bolivia in the rainy season for the best reflective views on the flats. This rainy season was more extreme than most and the start of our journey on the flat the water was over a foot deep splashing over the wheel wells. The very experienced drivers took the route slow as we made out way to a more shallow area. Let me tell you it was all I hoped of it. The drive out in water above the wheel wells was a first.
    As we got out of the trucks the water was about 6 inches deep and warmer than the air. We wore sandals due to the sharp salt crystals on the bottom. As we took out pictures the water flowed past with large salt crystals. Check out the video, it is very relaxing. Every creative picture they had seen on the internet our group took. This included naked pictures for them not me. They sky was the most beautiful blue color with a few sparce clouds gathered near the mountains on the side.
    After a few hours it was time to head to our lodge for the night. This is normally a quick 2 hour trip across the Flats but due to the water we had to go the long way. We took roads that due to the rains and flooding forgot how to be roads. Entire sections were washed out. Parts of it also collapsed under one of the trucks and a quick thinking driver cut and used a seat belt to tow the other truck out.
    As we drove the most amazing night sky appeared. I remember the phrase there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on the earth. Tonight was one of the night's when that saying made sense. It was incredible. Each star you are use to seeing was surrounded by hundreds of tiny stars around it. It was a long late night but those stars made it worth it.

    Jodi    Read more

  • TravelerEscape from Michigan Winter
    Day 12

    I expect to see a horse and cowboy

    February 19, 2018 in Bolivia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Hello from Uyuni,

    Yesterday we had a long 4 hour drive from Potosí yo Uyuni. This will be the start of our salt flats expedition, my main reason for booking the trip.
    As I am sure is to be expected the land reminds me of the western United States of UT, NM, and CO. We traversed winding roads on mountains and flat dry land with lama roaming free. The lama are decorated with string bows on their ears. Lama farms operate on a co-op system in the small towns so the colorful bows indicate their owners.
    As we got closer to the flats the land became very dry with frequent cacti decoratorations. This was a surprise because due to the rainy season we may not be able to stay at the Salt Hotel. I expected a lush green land.
    As we rode into town, in my imagination on a huge black stallion while actuality was a 20 person coach, it reminded me of the wild West. Wide empty streets with the haze of the dust blowing through. On the sides of the streets many of the businesses were shuttered due to the last night of Carnival. Dogs wandered the streets chasing cars and barking at eachother.
    As I slept it sounded as though there were dog fights outside my window and the cries of an injured dog made me sad. The windows of the hotel installed not with traditional construction methods but instead with clear packing tape. Me, I may have at least used duct tape. Due to the lack of insulation the wind loudly screamed though the windows and the dog fighting sounded to be in the room with me. Despite this after a few long days I had a great a great sleep going to bed at an embarrassing 830 and waking up this morning at 8.
    This morning we are headed for 2 days in the Salt Flats. It is still unclear as to if we will be able to stay at our original Planaterra hostile. Planaterra is the G adventures Charity which is the reason I travel with G. Check out the page below. They work with local communities to help the people form businesses for sustainable travel. I have been to many Planterra sites around the world and they truly help the communities. If you are enjoying my blog and are inclined please donate a few dollars. In a country where the average monthly salary is $200, even $5 can make a huge difference in sustainable income.
    https://planeterra.org
    https://www.gadventures.com/blog/tag/planeterra/

    I will not have internet for a few days, but I hope to have amazing pictures for you when I return to you.

    Jodi    Read more

  • TravelerEscape from Michigan Winter
    Day 14

    Really that's a road?

    February 21, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Hello from I don't know where in Bolivia,

    Today was the day of the long drive. After the Salt Flats we drove through the colorful lagoons and National Park. A huge shout out to our amazing drivers. The drive reminded me of driving through each of the National Parks of the Western United States in one day, minus roads.
    Our trusty 4wd truck bounced along old creek beds filled with large rocks, up the side of mountains and across valleys with no roads. It was a bumpy and beautiful ride.
    Jodi    Read more

  • TravelerEscape from Michigan Winter
    Day 15

    Long Day at the Border

    February 22, 2018 in Chile ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Last night was one of my favorite kind of nights on a tour. We stayed at a little lodge in the middle of nowhere. There was limited hot water, shared rooms and no internet. No worries there was vodka, wine, and games. These are my favorite nights because without internet we get to hang out and talk to each other. I wish I could have gotten pictures of the stars for you. It was another night with more stars than I have ever seen.
    I had a great conversation with a couple of guys from Denmark. Schooling in Denmark is very different from the States and for many reasons I can see why they are a happier society. After they finish traditional high school they go to a boarding type school where they specialize in something. It is not always career focused and may include music, sports, or school subjects. They have the chance to live away from home and establish their independence. It is similar to the first year of college without the pressure to know what you want to do when you grow up. They are given time to explore and take time to experience the world a bit before making the decision. After that they attend state sponsored University. I like the fact it takes the pressure off kids and gives them time to figure out themselves before they figure out their career.
    The next morning we left early for a few hours in the hot springs before more exploring of this beautiful national park. Multi colored lagoons, more flamingos, natural rock monuments and natural toilets (not a fan of that part).
    As I have seen in other countries land borders are an interesting experience. This was nothing compared to Cambodia crossing of walking booth to booth for a half mile, 95 degrees, surrounded by men with guns, and an extra $5 payment to speed up the process. None the less it was still a 3rd world land border. This includes confusion over where immigration is, bus transfer issues, more natural toilets and about 5 hours of waiting. Naps were taken, games were played and I listened to another book.
    As we arrived into San Pedro De Atacama it was again like a town from the Wild West. This one reminded me of the old town in Albuquerque New Mexico. It was a low laying city located on a small oasis in the desert. Mountains and desert sand surround the city. Our street consisted of 1 story adobe buildings with dogs roaming free. At dinner there was a dog who sat in the doorway to the restaurant fondly looking inside. I could imagine him saying to the owner "hire me, I will be the best dishwasher you have ever had."    Read more

  • TravelerEscape from Michigan Winter
    Day 15

    Sand Boarding and Star gazing

    February 22, 2018 in Chile ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    After a long few days of traveling I am pretty excited to have 2 nights in one place. Today was a day filled with activities, a nap, and a nice meal.
    We started the morning with Sand boarding. Sand Boarding is much like snow boarding, in fact it uses the same equipment. The difference being snowboarding they haul you up a mountain, sand boarding you have to climb sinking sand to get to the top. Even though we have gone down from 15000 ft above sea level to only 7500 breathing is still tough for me. I am proud to say I did make it down the hill once, then enjoyed myself taking pictures and video's of my new friends.
    Even with my one trip down the beating sun and the sand took it out of me. After a shower to get sand out of, well everywhere, it was time for a nap. I decided to take the afternoon off from the group's mountain hike through the Valley of the moon. Instead I wandered the town, had some lunch, did my laundry, and relaxed. After a few full days it was nice to have sometime to relax. I even finished another book.
    Later on in the night it was time to go for star watching. I was excited as the last few nights of stars had been incredible. Unfortunately our star location was pretty close to town, but they had incredible telescopes. Before this trip I thought the Southern Hemisphere saw different constellations as we did here. It turns out they see a few of the same ones such as Orion, but it is upside down. I also got to check out a close up of the craters of the moon.
    It was a great day, but I am dreading tomorrow a bit with out 10 hour bus ride and border crossing into Argentina.    Read more

  • TravelerEscape from Michigan Winter
    Day 17

    The Best Beef in the World

    February 24, 2018 in Argentina ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Being a restaurant family and going to cooking school I have eaten some amazing beef, but none can even come close to today's Argentinian BBQ.
    Today was a full day activity of horse back riding, Argentinian beef, and unlimited red wine. The day dreams are made of.
    It surprised me that such a small contingent of our group came out. We had 3 for horse back riding and 7 for the BBQ. As we arrived the farm was a beautiful area located in the shadows of local mountains. There was a farm house and barns. There was a long table set for 25 in an open air dining room with an outdoor BBQ at the head of the table. I just realized I did not take any pictures of this part so it will just remain as a memory to me.
    Let me tell you about horse back riding. I believe I have gone horse back riding every 5-10 years for my entire life. Yes that totally means I am a pro, or it means I have a conversation with my horse first and discuss how we will get along. I asked for a nice horse who knew how to have someone ride it versus me knowing what to do. Instead they gave me Bruja, the Spanish word for witch. So witch horse and I went on our way. As the rancher led us through the paths my horse decided that she would be the leader (hmm, sound like anyone you know?). Yes my horse was the bossy witch. At points she stopped to get a bite to eat but would quickly race ahead as she saw the other horses coming close. At one point as we were turning the corner the horse next to me decided my leg looked like foot and took a little munch. No worries no damage was done.
    Joining us on the ride was the farm dog. She ran ahead of us as though she was scouting out the terrain. As we came to a street I call Mean Dog alley she looked to protect us. At points there were 10 or more dogs ganging up on our sweet dog. She quickly let the horses protect her and stuck to the middle of the pack. At one point we got off the horses for a stretch. After my failed attempts to mount the horse at the beginning I was a bit scared I would be chasing my horse back to the farm. Luckily the cowboy remembered this and directed me to a higher area to remount the horse. It could have been really ugly.
    As we returned to the farm the rest of the group arrived. Ohh the wine! It was brewed at a winery near by, along with beef the Argentine's know how to make wine. 7 guests and over 25 bottles of wine......    Read more

  • TravelerEscape from Michigan Winter
    Day 18

    Vacation is about Dancing

    February 25, 2018 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Yay finally a flight! I am a girl who likes to fly versus taking buses. Salta to Buenos Aires is a short 2 hour flight. For a girl use to 12-15 hour flights, 2 hours barely gives me time to do the Sudoku puzzle in the In-flight magazine. For this flight I woke still feeling a little drunk (a lot drunk) from the night before. After the farm and 25 bottles of wine with 7 people we decided to go to a local bar. We also found the rest of the group on our walk to the bar. The walk home from the bar was a interesting task of herding cats or small children. We were back down to 7 people but all were going different directions. At one point we lost 2 to the super market for the weekly shopping they did not need to do. As the mama bear of the group I made sure that all made it back to the hotel.
    Buenos Aires rates as one of my favorite cities in the world. It is warm, it has amazing architecture, history and is safe. Our hostel was a bit of a walk but finally we found food. It was the traditional American hang over food of a McDonald's Big Mac. As the only American someone commented to me that Big Mac's in the states must taste so much better.
    The day was Sunday which is the day of the 10 plus block handi craft and antique market. 8 miles of walking for the day I think I got my steps in. After only being in Buenos Aires once before I was excited to be able to easily navigate the city. The main attraction I used to navigate is called 9 de Julio. This is the 25 lane highway that goes through the middle of the city. It is an entire block wide and luckily there are many pedestrian stopping area's so it is not as though you are playing the old Atarii game of Frogger. This a reference that very few of my fellow travelers would have known. With many of them being 20 and me at 38 this was the first time I could legitimately be the same age as their parents.
    The evening was filled with more beef, Argentine Tango lessons and the tango show. Tango lessons could be best described as bumper cars. As we all attempted our steps in pairs I believe there was more laughing and running into each other than dancing.
    The Tango show symbolized the end of the tour even though I had a few days extra in Buenos Aires by myself. It was a sad goodbye to a few of my fellow travelers, but to be honest not all.    Read more

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