March 7, 2000
Day 137 Villazon Bolivia: another country other than Argentina
Welcome to Bolivia!
Again it's 9 by the time we start cycling. Patrick says, "I think we'll see La Quinca in half an hour." The broad flat valley continues, though Rachel thinks it's more like a flat hill. We can see forever.
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The road is paved except for a 30km section. There are a few rolling hills between the flat sections and the town. We arrive about 2m with a sign stating Ushuaia 5132km. We stop for a picture of course.
Two cyclists come by and stop (for a change, we've had many who don't), Rick and Tanya, Americans from Minnesota and travelling now for 20 months. We exchange stories of past travels and maps for the area each of us are now heading.
We get tips from them about Bolivia, and we give them information about Jujuy Province. They were unable to get a map, so Patrick gives them ours.
Just as we are ready to depart a man comes up from the radio station and wants to interview us for his sports program. Rick and Tanya have spent a month in Bolivia studying Spanish and went off with the man.
We continued on into Villazon Bolivia.
“Welcome to Bolivia”, the man from the immigration office said, as he gave us back our passports. Patrick says, “We never got that from Argentina”, after crossing the Argentina border five times.
We find the hostel Rick and Tanya suggested. It is Carnival here; Patrick gets sprayed with foam and water balloons tossed at him as we ride through town. He gets his water bottle and squirts back.
After settling in, we go explore. A new country means figuring out how things work all over again. First, need to exchange money for Bolivianos, then figure out; what is the price of items, what time of day are the shops opened or closed, how is the water, and is there plumbing that works!!
Because it is carnival, most businesses are closed. We finally find a restaurant, but they will not take American dollars and the Cambios are closed. Patrick remembers reading those businesses that sell cameras will sometimes exchange money. He finds a shop and comes out with $20 changed to Bolivianos!!
We go back to the restaurant and have chicken and fries after a long wait for the chicken to finish roasting! Then we have Banana splits before returning to our room.
We are in Bolivia!!
Today's ride: 74 km (46 miles)
Total: 4,515 km (2,804 miles)
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