Brandon drove me out of town and we watched the cars and trucks leave on the liaison to LA Paz. Then he had to leave to take the car back to Lima and fly back home to work.
It was an emotional departure for me, kinda got choked up, it was such great fun having him on this trip and having such memorable experiences. I hitched hiked to Puno and then a taxi to the border where I got a room cause I did not have all my shit together they would not let me in.
The following day I got all my documents but was turned away twice cause I was missing this and that and 3 hours later and $160 poorer I got my ten year visa in my US passport , had I had my SA passport would have been a breeze plus it costs nothing.
Got a bus to LA Paz and had a room booked so it worked out well and it was a rest day for the drivers. The following day I got an overnight bus to Tupiza.
I spent the day walking La Paz flat and took the gondolas up and down and saw a bunch of markets and they have great coffee and chocolates.
Boarded the bus at 7:30 for the twelve hour ride .Arriving about thirty kilometers outside Tupiza they would not let us proceed because of the Dakar. Two hours later we proceeded into town, but then all the roads were closed for the whole day. I got a lovely room, showered and headed downtown to watch the end of the stage. Van Der Linden berg saw my flag as he passed then turned around and stopped to chat to me and was swamped by the crowd, but kinda nice he made the effort and the rest of the SA bikers saluted me as they passed.
Hennie and Gerrard actually pulled over and told me about the brutal day they had, and Hennie invited me to the bivouac but it was thirty kilometers away. The Bolivian just love the Dakar and once again I had to have my photo taken with them holding the flag.
All the photos I took did not show up on my phone, having major issues with my phone. It is real hard to follow the Dakar now hitch hiking and taking buses, but only five more days I think till Cordoba. I have to attempt to leap frog the route in order to catch them, and I want to see them on the special stage racing which I don't think is going to be possible.
Tomorrow it's into Argentina
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