Flying from La Paz to Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Although I was still pretty weakened, I decided to leave La Paz and fly to Santa Cruz one day earlier than I had planned. I ate a soup for breakfast to at least strengthen myself a little. My taxi took me to the airport in El Alto, which took quite a while because the Bolivians were on strike again. Almost every day there was a strike, either for the then president Evo Morales or against him.
Anyway, I was not under pressure to go to the airport, because I didn't even have a plane ticket. I bought it for the first time directly at the airport. A bus ride of almost 20 hours to Santa Cruz would probably not have lasted with my bloated stomach.
Different than many other Bolivian cities
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is by far the biggest city of Bolivia and the economic center of the country due to the many oil and gas deposits. And also the airport is a hub to other South American countries. From there I should fly to Brazil 2 days later. Unlike most Bolivian cities, Santa Cruz is only at an altitude of 430 meters and has a rather tropical-humid climate. The thermometer here showed almost 20 degrees more than in La Paz.
Eating, eating and eating
And just as I suspected, my bloated belly problems vanished completely at low altitude. Finally I was able to eat again and that was what I mainly did in this city: On the first evening I went to a vegetarian restaurant. Unfortunately it was already closed, but the Taiwanese owners were sitting in front of it. And I was amazed when they opened the restaurant again just for me and they prepared delicious food for me. Afterwards I felt better again!
Also the next day I really filled my stomach, because here I could enjoy the cheap prices of Bolivia before I went to the rather expensive Brazil. I had a vegetarian lunch, good cake for the afternoon and noble Italian food with dessert for dinner. In between I played some video games in a shop and strolled around the market where my hostel was located.
Not allowed to checkin for my airplane to Brazil
My next night was short, as I was supposed to be picked up already at 3 am. When I arrived at the airport it was again not for the faint of heart, I was told at the check-in counter "you have 15 minutes to buy a ticket out of Brazil or you are not allowed on the plane". Shit! I didn't want to miss my plane again for the same reason as I missed Guatemala. The flight was also much more expensive.
In this shitty airport there was almost no internet anywhere. In the end I found Internet and then I had not found a printer to print it out. Fortunately they accept my confirmation email. Finally I checked in at the proverbial last second and presented my just bought useless flight ticket from Brazil to Uruguay. Then I went on to the Bolivian departure authorities, which took so long that the take-off time was getting dangerously close.
White substance in my bag during airport security check
Another moment of shock followed: the drug police found a white powder in my bag. Of course he immediately suspected that it was cocaine, because this corner of South America is known for it. He asked me several questions. The guy actually took it in his mouth and had to spit it out! Because the substance was nothing else than salt, which probably came from the salt desert Salar de Uyuni into my bag. Well, after all the turbulences I could finally get on the plane. First I went to Peru, Lima, where I changed into the plane to São Paulo.
Bolivia a great country for people who love culture and adventure
Bolivia is an excellent travel destination for all those who are interested in culture and adventure. There is probably nowhere else like the salt desert Salar de Uyuni. Also, I won't forget my stay in the Bolivian mine next to the devil with the giant penis. And also the mountain biking tour in the death road is one of my all time favourites.
Furthermore, I am surprised by the variety of the Bolivian landscapes, even though I did not even visit the Amazon region of the country. And as the Bolivians are so conservative, they have kept a large part of their traditional culture, into which you get a good impression because of that. Bolivia is also one of the most inexpensive countries on the continent.
The only disadvantage is the altitude of many places to which the body has to get used to, for better or worse. Apart from that, I could hardly get to know the local people.
