Hi, just a quick note to let you know that I am about to embark on a weekend journey to Paraguay via Brazil.
Sounds exotic and far, but the reality is that I travel through Argentina for 6 or 7 hours and then stay at a hostel there (Puerto Iguazu). From there it is a 40minute journey through Brazil until I get to the Bridge of Friendship which I walk over to get to Paraguay, and the famous Ciudad del Este. Center of many things that, well..., that are not very nice. But also the centre of really good electronics prices. So while I am there, there was one or two things that I was thinking would be really great to have... ah, you cannot deny a man a big-toys shopping experience. They are lots of fun.
So that is the story. I will be back on Tuesday morning if not before. If anything interesting happens, you will find out about it via the faithful blog on my website. So if you are the praying kind, please send up some prayers for me.
Oh, and just a quick update for everyone that is now starting to think that South America is getting safe (well it is really, but only in some places such as Argentina), here is some quick excerpts from my mate Chris who is travelling north at the moment. I am sure he won't mind a few extra prayers heading his way:
- La Paz, Peru (18 July): I didn't see any explosions or signs of them, but the locals said it was happening. I did see a huge military presence around town...
- La Paz, Peru (19 July): I lost my camera!!! DOH. I had it out of my bag on the bus to Puno and was asleep when we arrived, so half asleep I grabed my bag and jacket and got off... we rang ahead to Cusco ...and she has it and will meet me at the air port in Lima 10am tomorrow. (20 July): ...my camera didn't turn up, I waited at the airport for 5 hours...rang all the numbers I had and talked to the bloke I spoke to, who told me he had it, said he hasn't seen it. .
- Riobamba, Equador (today, 30 July): ...while I was in the market, it was packed, 2 or 3 guys had a go to get my wallet but I pushed up against an old lady with my leg. But the second time they got it. They slashed my pants with a knife and came really close to my leg, it's cut all the way through, 2 layers. So that makes this the most expensive trip I've been on, with the camera and all... I'm still going on the train in the morning but I'm really on a budget now...
So that's about it for now.