Wow, we just met a jerk!
So, we are finally back in the “third world!” After having spent so much time in Argentina and Chile, it does feel a little strange to be back in Bolivia, but I kinda like it. I like watching all the old indigenous women walking around in the poofy skirts and their colorful back shawl things….it`s fun!
Anyway, we crossed the border this morning on foot from La Quiaca in Argentina to Villazon in Bolivia, and then caught the first bus we could to a town called Tupiza. You can DEFINITELY tell we are back in Bolivia when you get on the bus….we ran around like maniacs to buy the tickets and to go pee so the bus wouldn´t leave us, and then we proceeded to drive around town for an hour–we are still unsure as to why– and then spent another half hour or so arranging some paperwork or something. No idea. We finally made it to Tupiza, however, and it is a cute little town that thrives on tourism. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made their final claims to fame nearby and are supposedly buried close.
Anyway, I have a story. We were in the tour agency office, arranging to do a five hour horseback riding tour tomorrow, and then a four day tour through the salt flats (which I am totally psyched about) We arranged everything, paid, and were getting ready to leave when the agency lady asked me for help because two tourists from Australia or New Zealand–not sure which–didn´t speak Spanish and she doesn´t speak English. I said of course I would help, and started translating the conversation for them. Well, lo and behold, this guy feels a little powerful or something, and starts stomping around and essentially lecturing me on how stupid it is that the people in Bolivia don`t speak any ENGLISH, not even addressing the fact that he doesn`t speak a damn word of Spanish and he is on a largely Spanish-speaking continent. He says that he doesn`t want to support a company that doesn`t speak English, and then follows that idiocy up by saying that all the tourist in South America take the time to learn Spanish (except for him, apparently) so OF COURSE, all the Bolivians should learns English just to accomodate the tourism. Honestly, he said these things. And you know, I would just bet that he is the same guy who would bitch up a storm if a tourist came to his country without speaking English. What a jackass. He made me feel so awkward cause I felt like I should tell him to shut up and let me translate for him, or maybe even just yell at him, but at the same time, I didn´t want to cause a scene in the tour agency. What an ass. Wasn´t aware that people like him still existed! Geesh!
Anyway, sorry about the sideways church picture…..I just realized I did it, but I don´t have my camera with me to change it. Just enjoy it from a different angle!
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