28 June 2006 - Incomming

Hello my nearest and dearest,

I hope that you are all well and bronzing suitably.

I am on my way home, repeat, I am on my way home and I really mean it this time, I think…

Despite my best efforts to engage in entertaining, mind boggling capers I have to say that the past month has been quite un-notable. Being ensconced in the daily life of my family La Paz (my perfect family who turned out not to be perfect but averagely flawed and generally lovely) shopping (for food), painting my brothers bedroom, cooking, going out for dinner (and other food related activities for the uncontrollably obsessed), playing football (a real giggle at altitude), watching football (on telly and the field, dad used to be a pro) and helping out with University assignments. On top of these activities just the run of the mill miscommunications and walking into things that are designed to endanger anybody over 120cm. I have made some real good friends and was privileged enough to be invited into the lives of some great people.

I went to Santa Cruz, which is the opposite side of the country (the east) and very different to La Paz. It is hot, relaxed and good looking with plenty of fun activities to partake in. I didn’t like it at all and returned to La Paz in a huff after only four days.

Also about a month ago I had to renew my visa. A friend of the family was meant to “sort me out” but due to the new government he couldn’t. He said an afternoon trip across the border would sort me out. Mum was ill, however she insisted upon joining me, said she loved journeys. After three hours taxi ride we arrived an Nowhereborderville The guys on the Bolivian side of the border said that it would cost us 10 Bolivians to buy our way back into Bolivia the same day. Unfortunately the fellow on the Peruvian side informed us that we only had two choices we could re-enter at another frontier post or spend the night. Mum was not into the idea of spending the night in Peru. Four hours later (dusk) we arrived at another border migration point where we had the pleasure of being lectured and ridiculed by a vertically challenged guard. I was decidedly fuming. After mum verbally cut him down to an even smaller size, we tried to purchase passage back to La Paz, and failed. Thus we spent the night in a cheap border town hostel. Conveniently the following day was mother day here, so mum awoke freezing, ill and four hours from home. I felt so proud, and I still haven’t forgiven the short border guard. Don’t worry I’ll be home soon, leaving this lot in peace, and keeping you lot busy…

I’m in Lima, hmm, airport and will be flying tonight or tomorrow to Madrid, wish me, and them luck.

Big respect to you all can’t wait to catch up.

Regards,

Nuku