I have just arrived in Cochabamba after a 17hr bus trip that should have been 9hrs and it cost me (and everyone else) 100 Bolivianos instead of the normal season price of 30 Bs. Yowch.
Trapped on the mountain for 7 hours.
Not only that, but I left Santa Cruz to come here so that I would meet up with a man from the States who was here until tomorrow but when I get here I am advised that he is now back in the States. Left last night because they were going to cancel his flight if he didn't leave when he did.
Food kiosks like this are located at every stop point along the way.
With a nasty bout of the flu and a lingering cough, I have had an injection to try and stem it and continue to carry medication around with me. Energy levels are almost zero, but I refuse to do nothing, although desire to take photos is also very low and I have taken hardly anything lately.
Travelling slowly up the mountain.
But I am here now, and about to go searching for this orphanage that I came here to visit.
A nearby stream provides a peaceful setting to wait for hours on the mountain.
We finally reach the blockage on the hill and have to wait another hour.
Passengers and drivers arguing with the gate keeper for the roadworks to let them through. It does not work.
A fern growing on top of a roadsign along the way.
Many earthmoving equipment were in use even as we passed them.
Passengers on the other side of the roadworks, also waiting many hours to pass.
Looking back on the road we have climbed towards Cochabamba.