Potosi

After the worst day of riding of the trip thus far, I was determined to get through Bolivia as quickly as possible.  I awoke in my overpriced hotel, half on the floor and tangled in sheets since the top mattress had slid off the base, I then made my way to restaurant for my free breakfast which consisted of instant coffee, watered down orange juice and stale bread with jam.  Heartily satiated with food, I then packed the bike, climbed into my gear and hit the start button.

The dingo turned over but refused to start. I had a bad feeling, I thought there was a weird noise the day before, but I had been too frustrated to look into it. I did a system check and found that one of my faring bolts had come undone, this had been causing the noise, so I went into the hotel and asked if there were any bike mechanics nearby, they were a few kms away, great I thought, I'm gonna have to walk it there. I went back and tried it one more time, she fired up, I leapt on and rode straight to a bike mechanic.

The mechanic I found was friendly and helpful (the first Bolivian I had found like that), he helped me replace a few bolts, do my doohickey, got my front brake pad resurfaced (which was dangerously thin) and best of all arranged for my pannier bracket to have a new brace welded (the old one had broken in Banos). I happily rode away at mid day confident the dingo was up to scratch.

My next Bolivian frustration was the bloqueo (blockade), being unfamiliar with the current political climate in Bolivia, I was unaware that the major cities roads were being blockaded by angry workers. Basically they gather at the major arterial roads and block all traffic, bringing the countries infrastructure (such that there is one) to a standstill. Fortunately for me I managed to circumnavigate the block in Oruru by taking some backstreets that were way too crappy for other vehicles.

From there the ride to Potosi managed to finally bring a smile to my face! I had the road to myself (thanks to the blockade!!!) and the ride itself was mind blowingly beautiful. Plains of semi desert peppered with dry salt pans led to glorious hills and valleys, which then led to a mountainous region of bright red craggy rock faces lined with reams of various multi-coloured runs. I was in awe, and had to stop constantly to soak it up.

To continue my dream run I made it to the pretty town of Potosi in good time and somehow managed to follow the traffic flow directly into the center of town. I finally pulled up where I thought I might be close to my destination, checked the lonely planet, and was suprised to find that I had miraculously pulled up directly beside the hotel I had planned on staying at!!! At last something was going right. I checked in, had a hot shower and then found some edible food; mercy of mercies, Bolivia had gained itself another point on my scale...