The Start of an Epic Four Days (Salar de Uyuni Part 1)

I've been to heaven and back. Or at least that's what it felt like to stand on the Uyuni Salt Flat on the fourth and last day of our magnificent journey. 


I never originally planned to travel in Bolivia, but due to the urging of some good friends I decided to check it out. After doing some research, I knew this 4-day tour was not to be missed. Though the majority of tours start in Uyuni and finish in Tupiza, I decided to do it the opposite way and save the salt for last. I walked all over town talking to every tour agency hoping to find a good group to join. I decided to join a group of 7 people, asking a million questions before leaving my deposit. Where were they from? How old? Had they known each other long? Did they seem fun? Can't be too careful when committing to 4 days straight of the same people.

I couldn't have hand-picked a better group with whom to spend the next 76 hours. We met at 8:30 Tuesday morning to load up the jeeps and head out.  The cast of characters included Veronica from Germany, Dan from England, Flo also from Germany, Facu and Gime from Argentina, Batiste and Paulina from France, and our wonderful guides and cooks, Rafael, Cristina, what's his name, and Nilda.

I jumped in the car with Dan Flo, Veronica, Rafael and Cristina and that's how we rode for the duration. As I was sitting shotgun, I got the first go at playing DJ. Rule for the trip was that whoever was up front had full musical control. 

Dan, Cristina, Veronica, Flo

After a couple hours of cruising through different landscapes, we stopped for lunch in a big open field full of llamas. There were so many, and they didn't seem to be afraid of us at all. They wondered pretty close to see what we were all about. We ate tamales (which I hadn't eaten since Guatemalan Christmas 2010) stuffed with delicious meat, sandwiches, and fruit before continuing on. 

they were so close. and hungry, too.

After several additional stops and more jaw-dropping scenery we arrived in a small little village with spectacular views.

 

As the temperature began to drop and the altitude began to rise, we unloaded everything at a hospedaje in a pueblito overlooking some amazing volcanic scenery. We immediately set out to explore, answering tons of questions from the little children in the village. Dan, Flo and I found ourselves playing soccer with a young lad named Ariel. Any time one of us tried to capture the moment, he shouted, "No amigo/a, hay que pagarme". Smart little man he was. 

Around 4pm we reconvened at the table for our afternoon tea/coffee and cookie/cracker break. By this point it felt like we had known each other forever. It's pretty amazing how quickly you get close with people when you're traveling together and sharing really intense experiences. It's like summer camp in your cabin. You talk to no other cabins, only your bunk mates. 

After snack we ate dinner, pasta de papas. I was exhausted from the day and the altitude, and Gime and I cuddled up in our beds chatting until we decided to call it a night around 8pm. Wake-up for Wednesday was 4:30am to try to get ahead of the other jeeps. There is something really amazing about going to bed when the sun does, and waking up when it rises.