Bolivian wilderness part 1
Illegally in Bolvia
Hmmm what an adventure it has been. I'm currently writing this entry in the middle of the desert with nothing around me and illegally in Bolivia. Thus marked my 40th country and most interesting border crossing to date!
Waking up early, as usually, we packed our bags and went to eat breakfast. We wrote our family to say we were safe and would not have internet for a few days. We were getting ready for a four wheel off road adventure through northern chile and southern Bolivia.
The day started when we were picked up by a driver who would get us to the border. He reminded us we needed cash for the visa. Uh oh we didn't think about that. We just assumed we could pay with a credit card. Two ATMs and two cards later we still didn't have the pesos. We counted every dollar usd and luckily had enough.
After getting stamped out of Chile we sat next to the office for awhile. Our drive got in and out of the car several times. Then we watched him approach a woman carrying big bags. Ohhhh maybe we will be importing goods, not like it would be the first time! I've experienced smuggling chickens, doors, grains, as who knows what else so I mean this wouldn't seem too crazy.
When they both hoped in the car we found out they were husband and wife. Awe how cute!
The gradual incline from 2000 to mid 3000m took awhile. The entire while Lincancabur loomed to our left getting larger and larger. Although the weather is notorious for being super clear most of the year we were greeting by massive clouds shrouding the top of the mountain. It gave them an ominous feel.
We made it to a three way intersection where the roads lead to Bolvia, Argentina, or back down to Chile.
Higher and higher we came upon a few shack buildings and a Bolivia flag. Wait, this is the border crossing?! I felt like I was in some travel or adventure movie as we approached the buildings. So,e four wheel SUVs with bags and water tied to the roof were parked around the building. When we opened the door we were blown away by gust of wind and small snow.
In the building we are handed off from a driver to a guide. Handed papers we stand up against the frozen wall trying to translate and fill the visa forms out. I'm not kidding when I say the wall was frozen and it was almost painful to print on the form. We approach the wooden desk and turn our forms into the border policeman. Once I hand him the money he begins to inspect every single bill with detail. One by one he rejects the bills accepting only about one out of every three.
Now what? We are high up in the mountains, at a rustic shack, and visa less. As we stand there explaining to our guide that that is all of our money the inspector touches the edges of each bill and starts to reject more and more. Stop! Why are you rejecting that money now. You liked it before. The sight is almost. Comical if we weren't freezing in a border crossing shack! What are we going to do?!?!
After some panic and confused looks that are exchange everyone begins to chatter in Spanish. The conclusion is that we are allowed to pass but we would not receive a visa. Instead we will have to get a visa later in our trip and if we do not our tour guide will go to prison. The place is the most confused immigration office I have ever seen. They only recently received the new updated fees and instructions only a year and a half late. Who knows I'd they even have a record of us coming in?! I love it! I hope this is now a foreshadowing to how the rest of this adventure will go! Comical confusion and adventure.
So as I write to you guys my mom and I are visa less and illegally traveling through the Bolivian mountains, lagoons, salt flats, and deserts many many miles from any true civilization or normal altitude!
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