Munchkin and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Hat

I got an email from my one of my oldest friends last week saying only this:

1) I love your logo and kind of want a T-shirt. 
2) I hate your hat.

That is all. 

She really knows how to cut me deep after all this time.

Not this time though! Munchkin, I'm not sure how it could be possible for you to hate such an amazing thing.  But it's not going ANYWHERE!

Why?

Because it's an Amazing Technicolor Dream Hat!  And it's AWESOME!
(Plus, and not that it would change the decision either way, others have emailed agreeing.  For those wondering, it was purchased in the Witches Market in La Paz, Bolivia.  So, consider yourself lucky.  It could've been a dried Llama Fetus...)

In other news, I'll figure out with the Raechild what's possible for T-Shirts when I get back for all those that wish to have one...

The lake with the funny name, and more...

I figured I'd share a couple of the pictures I was able to take of La Paz and Lake Titicaca while the savages weren't having their way with me.

First, La Paz.  I think it has to be one of the cooler cities I've been to on this adventure (I've found that most of them are more or less the same, so it takes a lot to get a mention).  Ranks up there next to Cape Town and Sydney for beauty.  And, sitting about about 12,000 ft above sea level, it is the world's highest (de facto) capital city.  It is rich in history and fantastic views.  We only had a little bit of time there, but it was worth it for sure.

As you know, I made my way to Lake Titicaca after La Paz.  Unfortunately, it was done while under the weather, so I don't have much to show for it.  But, it being the world's highest navigable lake (lots of qualifiers in this post) means that I can check it off the bucket list. I will say that it felt like being at the ocean.  Which is isn't a feeling I've ever had at a lake before.  So there's that too.

And, I did get to see the full moon on my 6th continent while there.

Say "Hola, Peru!"

The Port at Copacabana, Bolivia

Some Ass...

That's all for now.  I couldn't let a visit to Lake Titicaca go unacknowledged, even if it was less spectacular than I'd hoped for.  At least I'm back at full strength for my friends Jon and Jill arrival tomorrow in Buenos Aires.  Don't worry, Uncle Rick, we'll make sure Jill doesn't get herself into too much trouble.

The Highest We've Ever Been...

I'm talking about elevation, boys and girls.  C'mon!  We've been between 8000' and ~14763' feet for the past week.  Enough to make the head spin, but that stuff above is salt and we'll get to it in a minute.

So, I guess it's time to start this story out right!

From the Chilean and Bolivian Frontier - 

My goodness is it the middle of nowhere and certainly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been (I feel like I've said that here before).  

I'll start with the animals before more nature shots.  We saw: 

Flamingoes (there are three varieties - Andean, James', and Chilean.  The amount of photos is not one of each variety, I dont think, just some that I liked): 

Llamas (which are quite tasty, I might add):

Vicuñas:

And then of course there were the Mountains, Lakes, Streams, Snow, Wind, Canyons, Gorges, Valleys, Moons, etc.  Some will only live on as mental images though as it was impossible to photograph it all.  Mainly due to high winds and cold, but also because we couldn't be stopping every five seconds.  Though the excuse certainly could have been made:

The Road!

Lago Colorado - Let's play spot the Flamingo!

Lady contemplates Lake (while shivering)...

Sorry so many Red Lake pictures - I've never seen a red lake, and got excited!

Àrbol de Piedra

As I understood it, this train is used to transport minerals out of the mountains: Borax, Salt, etc

And finally we made it to the Uyuni Salt Flats.  The night before we pulled into our hostel just as the sun was setting, but not to late to soak in the fact it was made completely of salt!

The next day, we were up early to hit the Flats -- first we were all like: 

Then, we were all like: 

But we finished up all like: 

Nom, nom, nom... 

More Pictures from the World's largest Salt Flat: 

Glow Cactuses from an island in the middle of the Salt Flat

It was a great adventure, filled with freezing cold temperatures and arguably the worst hotel I've stayed in on this entire trip (not pictured and literally the only place possible to stay on this adventure).  Thanks for being such a sport, Megan.  Especially after your first visit was to beaches and ride elephats.  I hope you have a safe flight home. 

I head to Lake with a name that is a favorite amongst all 4-grade Boys -  Lake Titicaca - today.  We'll see how active I am as I seem to have caught a cold.  A cold that had me vomitting my guts out at 430 am this morning.  I don't think I've vomited since Sophomore year of College, but I'll consider myself lucky as it is the first time I've been sick on the trip.  So gross though.   You're welcome for the detail.

And, I'll part with a simple hello to all of you, written in salt (of course) and with love: 

As always, I've posted and will keep posting other shots to the Tumblr page: http://justcuzitsround.tumblr.com/, feel free to check them out. 

Llama Me, Maybe?