TRAVELING BY BUS IN BOLIVIA

21. June 2011

To get back from Rurrenabaque to La Paz we decided to take the much cheaper and more adventurous option of going by bus instead of flying.

The bus left around noon in Rurrenabaque. It was a rather old, dirty bus; most people had lots of baggage and there was extra cargo on the roof. There was no bathroom, no air condition nor any other service on board. We set off on a dusty, bumpy road. The bus was cramped and it was hot. After less than two hours we had to stop the first time because of a flat tire. It took the driver about an hour to change the tire. Meanwhile everyone was standing on the road trying to find some shade. Afterward the road didn't get better. It was so bumpy, that sometimes I jumped off the seat. After a stop for dinner the road started to climb uphill. The road was very narrow and similar to the death road. In fact it was part of the old death road, going from the Yungas to La Paz. Mountain on the left side and cliff on the right side. Looking outside was scary. Especially if there were trucks and buses in the other direction. And it was dark as well. At one point we had to wait because there was a SUV lying on it's side on the road. A few people got off the bus and helped to turn the car back on it's wheels. Problem solved.

The night was very uncomfortable and early in the morning when we got close to La Paz it was freezing.

I was very happy when we finally, after 23 hours, got to La Paz and could get off the bus.