Day 2 Salar Trip

Dear Mom and Dad,

We woke up at 4:30 am on Day 2 of the Salar trip. Super early for going to bed around midnight. Our car troubles the night before put us behind schedule, which is why we arrived late at the hostel, searched high and low for a place to stay, and ate dinner super late. The temperature was below freezing for it was snowing when we woke up. SO COLD! Our first stop was at a place that had steam shooting up from the ground. This was caused by underground lava heat escaping. The first two pictures are of us next to an artificial made one for photos. Many groups don't get to see the magnitude of the real thing because most do not get up early enough. We were fortunate enough to group with two older couples. The early time did not phase them. 

 

These next series of pictures are with the naturally made "geysers" that shoot steam and not water. Like I said, fortunately we went with people who wanted to get up early. It would have been disappointing to miss these due to Charlie and I wanting to sleep in. 

Look carefully at Charlie's neck warmer. Super sweet flames. We got those for free when we did "Death Road."

After our picture taking at the Geysers, we headed off to breakfast. Our location had a natual spring of hot water. I was too chicken to get undressed in the cold to even attempt to get in the water. Afterall, you do have to get back out in the freezing cold. I became Charlie's personal attendent holding his shoes, towel, and clothes. It reminded me of Winter Games holding all of J.D's stuff when he does the "Polar Bear Plunge." Will he do it again this year?

Some landscape pictures in between our breakfast stop and our next destination. A Lagoon. I can't remember if it was Green Lagoon, White Lagoon, or Blue Lagoon. They all seemed kind of similar.

Here we are at one of the lagoons. It was gorgeous!

Charlie took an "artistic" photo. Looks pretty cool I must say.

I then wanted him to take an "artistic" photo with me in it. 

I then tried to take an artistic photo of Charlie. Mine didn't turn out as cool.... I guess this is why he's the photographer.

More fun pictures from the Lagoons.

After the lagoon, we had to drop two people off at the border of Chile and Bolivia. Two guys were taking a bus and venturing down South. Charlie and I decided to see what it was like to be an "illegal." We snuck across the border to take pictures and say we have also been to Chile on our trip!

Charlie using "baño natural." I only took a picture because we were in a very public place with lots of people around, and I was trying to distract from his actual actions.

Cute llamas...They were everywhere!

We stopped for lunch near the next lagoon. The food on the entire trip was incredible. It was so nice to have homecooked meals made by someone else. We had cooked chicken, noodles, veggies, and a banana for dessert. I hate how they think fruit is a "dessert." It's a component of breakfast, not dessert. Here is Charlie waiting for the food to be prepared. Of course, rock climbing.

After lunch, an hour ride to the next lagoon leads to a little siesta. Naptime. Two early morning wake-ups = Much needed. So tuckered out.

Candy? I didn't indulge in this sweet. It tasted like a sugar free version of carmel. 

We reached our last lagoon. So many flamingos. So pretty to see all the pink.

Look at how close we got to the biggest flamingo...

This is another natural made rock sculpture. They say it's the profile of their ex-president.

It is the rainy season here. With every rainstorm, there is a rainbow. :)

All cars break down. Everybody helps everyone. He we are ramming another car out of a mud puddle. At least we weren't the ones with the problems this time...

One last picture. Charlie got caught taking this in a church and pulled the "I'm a gringo who doesn't speak Spanish card." We kept the picture and got kicked out. Blah.

During dinner, we heard about a jeep rolling due to the slippery roads. I was thankful that our malfunction resulted in us waiting for five hours and not getting into an actual accident. We heard everyone was fine, but the tour didn't continue. Hopefully the people got their money back! This night was much warmer then the last. Again, there was no heat, but we were in lower elevation, which meant a warmer climate.

I had another mental breakdown right before falling asleep, which lead to a plethora of tears. I pulled the sheets up and they weren't long enough to cover my toes and reach my neck. Tears immediately started flowing. Charlie asks, "What's wrong?" The sentence to follow was something along the lines of "My sheets are too small, my back is broken out in zits from not showering, I smell like B.O., my clothes are dirty, I can't use the bathroom in front of everyone listening, it's too loud from the other people staying at the hostel, etc." How Charlie didn't start laughing at my face is beyond me. Instead, he rubbed my back until I fell alseep. I am lucky to be traveling with him, and moments like those only confirm it and then some.

I am behind in my blog due to slow internet connections. Tomorrow, I will update the last day of the Salar Trip and hopefully all the events that have followed. We are currently in Cusco and loving every minute of it. A lot of naps have taken place due to long bus rides and the Salar Trip.

Love always,

Matti Jo and Charles Dale

PS. a super funny quote from John Vauble today. This is the first thing he says to me on facebook chat, "Everyday you aren't dead is a success in my book." He is always so positive.

Well, I hope we keep on succeeding then. :)