26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
D49, T5, Av18, max72, Tot16891, 6824
Fine cloudless day cool wind.
The sun bore down on us nice and early, warming us up rapidly, enjoying it, we took our time packing. In doing so we didn’t get away till 0900.
Climbing the last part of the slope saw us descend into Ancoraimes, here we ate, I had fish, Deirdre in hindsight possibly wisely had bread and peanut butter.
Some mana (popped grain)was bought, this time rice.
Riding out of town was steep little climb. All our riding now is at 3800m and above, we have to keep reminding ourselves of this and rest accordingly.
Coming off this top, a speed of 72km/hr was reached with ease, it makes one think at high altitudes and thin air there is less resistance. Briefly looking on the net for an answer to this it could not be found. I do think it has something to do with it. The other day saw 79km/hr reached incredibly easy. The impact of wind on my face seems less.
To our left now snow clad mountains were ever present, Three peaks, Illampu, Ancohuma and Condoriri were the most dominant. Ancohuma the tallest, at 6427m stood grandly against a cobalt blue sky.
To our right were plains arising from the lake.
Most noticeably here in Bolivia the dogs are so quite, we have passed dozens and one has yet to chase us. They just sit on the roadside in the middle of nowhere, showing little interest.
Good on them. They mostly look hungry, maybe, they figure expending energy chasing something less than food is not worth it, or maybe they are just smarter than Peruvian dogs.
Along the plains many people were seen thrashing avena ( a grain like wheat, but used for porridge) by hand raising flat sticks above the heads and slamming them on a pile of grain stalks, women were as evident as men performing the task.
Also of interest was that all potholes on the road are filled with flat stones not tar.
One group of road workers passed included a lady, she was being watched by a male co worker as she was using a pick to clear the pothole. The women here and in Peru work so hard. In some towns were saw women no taller than 4 feet hunched over walking, men too were seen easing back problems walking with similar postures.
Arriving in Achacachi, a reasonably sized city, though with no ATMs, I had to change some US dollars for Bolivianos at a bank. They gave 6.85B to the dollar. This was the first occasion that my passport had to be used within a country. All for a $20 note.
No internet tiendas were seen in the town. I feel communications whilst in Bolivia will be sporadic to say the least.
Some cheap sunglasses were bought, the sun is so bright and intense here.
I was feeling really ordinary now, so we decided to stay the night here.
We also tried to ring the hospital again with no luck from a pay phone set up.
The alojamiente we booked was ground level in all respects, that of facilities and cleanliness, again it was shelter.
By now I was in bad shape, not caring about much except wanting to lie on the bed.
Deirdre made us tea.
The room was unusually small, though warm.
Soon, due to the old rapid watering of the mouth, a mad rush was made to an outdoor hand basin. A huge bark was endured, a purging was in progress.
At least afterwards I felt better.
The basin flowed straight onto the concrete court yard, no attempt was made to clean it, for what reason?
Sleep came easy, though later diarrhea kept me up most of the night.
Thankfully each session brought improvement to my well being.
D49, T5, Av18, max72, Tot16891, 6824
Fine cloudless day cool wind.
The sun bore down on us nice and early, warming us up rapidly, enjoying it, we took our time packing. In doing so we didn’t get away till 0900.
Climbing the last part of the slope saw us descend into Ancoraimes, here we ate, I had fish, Deirdre in hindsight possibly wisely had bread and peanut butter.
Some mana (popped grain)was bought, this time rice.
Riding out of town was steep little climb. All our riding now is at 3800m and above, we have to keep reminding ourselves of this and rest accordingly.
Coming off this top, a speed of 72km/hr was reached with ease, it makes one think at high altitudes and thin air there is less resistance. Briefly looking on the net for an answer to this it could not be found. I do think it has something to do with it. The other day saw 79km/hr reached incredibly easy. The impact of wind on my face seems less.
To our left now snow clad mountains were ever present, Three peaks, Illampu, Ancohuma and Condoriri were the most dominant. Ancohuma the tallest, at 6427m stood grandly against a cobalt blue sky.
To our right were plains arising from the lake.
Most noticeably here in Bolivia the dogs are so quite, we have passed dozens and one has yet to chase us. They just sit on the roadside in the middle of nowhere, showing little interest.
Good on them. They mostly look hungry, maybe, they figure expending energy chasing something less than food is not worth it, or maybe they are just smarter than Peruvian dogs.
Along the plains many people were seen thrashing avena ( a grain like wheat, but used for porridge) by hand raising flat sticks above the heads and slamming them on a pile of grain stalks, women were as evident as men performing the task.
Also of interest was that all potholes on the road are filled with flat stones not tar.
One group of road workers passed included a lady, she was being watched by a male co worker as she was using a pick to clear the pothole. The women here and in Peru work so hard. In some towns were saw women no taller than 4 feet hunched over walking, men too were seen easing back problems walking with similar postures.
Arriving in Achacachi, a reasonably sized city, though with no ATMs, I had to change some US dollars for Bolivianos at a bank. They gave 6.85B to the dollar. This was the first occasion that my passport had to be used within a country. All for a $20 note.
No internet tiendas were seen in the town. I feel communications whilst in Bolivia will be sporadic to say the least.
Some cheap sunglasses were bought, the sun is so bright and intense here.
I was feeling really ordinary now, so we decided to stay the night here.
We also tried to ring the hospital again with no luck from a pay phone set up.
The alojamiente we booked was ground level in all respects, that of facilities and cleanliness, again it was shelter.
By now I was in bad shape, not caring about much except wanting to lie on the bed.
Deirdre made us tea.
The room was unusually small, though warm.
Soon, due to the old rapid watering of the mouth, a mad rush was made to an outdoor hand basin. A huge bark was endured, a purging was in progress.
At least afterwards I felt better.
The basin flowed straight onto the concrete court yard, no attempt was made to clean it, for what reason?
Sleep came easy, though later diarrhea kept me up most of the night.
Thankfully each session brought improvement to my well being.
Eucalyptus trees totally dominate the landscape here.
If you use enough of the reeds they will float enmasse
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It was basic accommodation, Tuntos drying in the foreground (potatoes)
No problems blocking the highway at highway for civil celebrations
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