Welcome to Bolivia

Another unbelievable story. It was on the bus ride from Santa Cruz - Bolivia to Sucre - Bolivia. This time it was much worse then the bus rides we had up until now.

First of all i will have to tell you that we finally got to take the train from Brazil to Santa Cruz - Bolivia. After a 5 day delay, we were on the train that was jumping up and down left and right because of the tracks that were from the 60s i guess. We stayed in Santa Cruz for 3 days in a very good hotel and had a great time.



On the third day we got to the terminal to buy bus tickets (bus that was suppose take 16 hours instead of the 21 that it really took) and found that all the busses that go to Sucre are without air conditioning and toilets. That was something new to us. All busses up until now had air con at least. We bought the tickets and got on the bus. The bus was so old and full of dust. The windows could hardly close and the ones that were closed could hardly open (If you have asthma, this bus would not be for you). After a 2 hour bus ride, we got to a standstill. The first problem. There was a bridge on the way that collapsed. The road was blocked in our direction and was opened in the other. We were told to wait 4 hours, from 19:30 to 23:30 until it would be our turn to cross the bridge. WE WAITED.

At 23:15 the road was opened for us. The bus driver drove like mad with cars passing us on both sides. From then on we drove on a gravel road jumping up and down for 10 hours. The whole night was a rough ride, full of dust coming in through the windows. Not to forget how freezing it was. Sucre - our destination is a city that lies 2750 meters above sea level. We were freezing to death driving up the mountains.


At 9:00 the bus stopped again. Problem number 2. Another bridge was being rebuilt. We were told to get of the bus with all of our luggage, cross the bridge and get on a truck that would take us to Sucre. Yes a truck. We were 30 people standing in the back of the truck with the sun hitting on us for 4 hours until we finally got here at around 13:00. Not to mention that we didn't have anything to eat up until now.



Anyway we finally got to Sucre and are happy to see that it is a nice place. It is time to see a little more of the city but first we have to go and get dressed a little warmer. Adios

By the way: A little about Bolivia in the next chapter.