Off to Bolivia!

Day 239 – San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Bolivia is confirmed for tomorrow! I had to switch agency because I was the only one wanting to go that day, but as they all offer the same tour…

I also had the joys of sending a new parcel home. I wanted to wait for Peru or Ecuador, but the guides say not to trust the post system, whereas Chile’s is reliable. So. 

I went to the post office. They didn’t have any box left of the right size, so the guy told me to get a box from a minimarket. (Since I was there I asked for an estimation of the price.)

The minimarket I went to had a very nice guy who gave me a box of the perfect size! Next I wanted tape. I went to the one shop selling school supplies… Closed. Too early. So I waited after lunch and went back; no dice. I mean tape. 

But I suddenly noticed that the shop on the opposite side of the street was selling home improvement stuff, and they had the right tape! (Still lugging my box around.)

Of course now the post office was still closed for lunch. So back to the hostel, where I started taping the box.

Finally the post office was open, the guy before me had a long transaction, but I reached the counter with the right box!

I went with the box open since I know they have to check the content. So we did an inventory, the guy closed the box (I had the tape with me), and the joy of paperwork began. Address, full content and value, printing, signing… and of course, payment. But it is done!

All that in a mix of Spanish, English and French! But my backpack is lighter, my souvenirs are on the way…!

And it rained today!

Back to Bolivia. I don’t know when I’ll have internet again, probably every night, but maybe only next Tuesday.