Arrived in Potosi, which is the highest city in the world (over 4000m above sea level) and there´s much more going on up here than in the previous places in Bolivia. Did a bit of a tour yesterday and there are lots of churches, buildings and markets all over the place. The city is much more livlier and there seems to be street celebrations going on which are far better than Tupiza. Managed to get stuck in a convent with another girl, Emma, for most of the afternoon and couldn´t get out - don´t ask.
The altitude is playing havoc with everyone and their health. Last night was probably the worst experience for most of us. Woke up in the middle of the night and thought my head was going to explode with the pain. Bucked a few Disprin in water and downed it quickly (good advice from my dad) and found a holy medal that my aunt gave me (to keep me safe on my travels..ya just can´t beat the Catholic stuff...you know the way they´ll save you from everything - not) and stuck it to my head!! I swear to God, I would´ve tried anything to get rid of the pain.
One other girl in my room had to waken me as she was in lots of pain also, but hers was in her stomach and her head. She had actually been thinking of how to get repatriated back to Australia if she died and no-one was able to help her. So, Disprin to the rescue...she survived also. Would´ve given her my medal, but it was still stuck to my head. Two people have been vomiting and most of us are finding breathing difficult at times, as we´re not used to the thin air here. Even your eyeballs pulsate when your heart beats.
I now know the reason as to why people are so sad here most of the time - they´re not wasting the oxygen in their lungs laughing, as they´re saving it to breathe...very wise - I think I´ll take a leaf out of their book from now on!
OMG Mary you just discovered that altitude sickness is the only way to shut you up! Hooray for your round the world travels! only joking, you will be on the way down soon enough and have a good ole laugh about it in a bar over pints of various and then by next morning you'll have a different kind of sickness and you'll have run out of Disprin. Did you pack your sugarlumps?
ReplyDeleteSounds like u r having fun meme, I am just having a glass of wine in a very low level house if that helps ye:-)) keep the posts coming if u have enough breathe to type, good lucky and keep safe, I take it there's no running going on then, sarcasm isn't making u feel any better either, just keep thinking of all the fun we will have in NZ & AUS:-))) lol auds
ReplyDeleteVery funny Pippa - remind me to slap you when I next see you ;) Enjoy your big holiday.
ReplyDeleteGoing down early in the morning - no sugarlumps here- ughh!!
Auds, no running at this altitude - if I did the next time you would see me would be in a coffin! Walking up steps is hard enough (even for a trained athlete like myself!! joke!). enjoy the wine - havent had a Rose since I left. Lookin forward to the fun in NZ and Oz - lots of offers from friends I{ve made here for meetin up/tours etc.but if you{re not up for that, I{ll do it on my own when you leave..keepin the aul options open.
Ha ha that's hilarious. Can't think of anything to write as I can't stop laughing!! (Obviously it would be less funny if you died - hope you've got good travel insurance:-) )
ReplyDeleteYou know me, I'm up for anything once I leave home:-))) auds
ReplyDeleteSounds like your having fun- NOT!! Well you are giving the rest of us a good laugh at your expense. Hope you arent in the dizzy heights for too long or you will be back with the imprint of a medal on your head> LOL take care
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