24th November

Went out for drinks and a bite with the tour leaders (Andy/Tubbs) and my new room-mate (Rob). I have also met a number of the tour. Looks like I haven't done my homework as the trip is a bit different to how I had envisaged. All good though. We are on a big bus but only allowed to call it a truck (don't ask). There are 21 folk ranging from 20s to 60s most of whom have been travelling on the same truck in other countries in South America. As you can imagine it had been harding remembering names but I think I am there now (see below). Gutted 3 blokes played golf at "The Highest Golf Course in the World" yesterday and about another 10 did the mountain-biking on the most dangerous road in the world - wanted to do both of these.

We left La Paz at 6am after filling my small locker with my big rucksack on the truck. We also have chores to do on baord (awaiting my allocation) and we have to take turns cooking as well in groups of threes. The truck is fairly cramped but spirits are high. Toilet breaks are fun, we seem to stop at the side of the road in the most picturesque locations. Not sure what the locals think when they turn their heads to admire the view and see 11 women squatting, 10 blokes a-peeing. Thankfully no "gold rings" as yet.

We had lunch "on the run" which was made by the 3 on "meal detail". An amazing production line came up with ham, cheese and salad rolls. Not bad on some of the bendiest roads in South America.

Our one and only destination for the day was the highest city in the world Potosí. The tour guides have coined an alternative name of "Pot-o-shit" and when we checked into the hotel you could see why. I'm sure our room featured on "Carry On Abroad". The city wasn't much better. Nothing was open except tat-shops but we did find a gringo cafe which was quite nice despite the miserable staff.

We are off for pizza tonight at "The Highest Pizza Restaurant in the World". Zzzzzz. These altitude superlatives are really beginning to drag.

Here is the make up of the tour.....

Rob - room-mate, owns lots of pubs in south-west London. Top bloke.
Ian - quiet, looks like a bear
Steve - accountant from up north
Thea - think she is Swedish but the guys have unfortunately dubbed her "man-woman"
Ed - Old boy, looks like Bernard Cribbins
Jacky - Nice, haven't really spoken to her
Jon and Sarah - Rob is new, and his Mrs is well fit.
Tina - Irish and good fun
Karen - New, haven't really spoken to her
Shannon - the other Spanish speaker, very nice.
Connor and Kellie - He is Irish, she is from North America. Both nice.
Derek and Cherry - Both English. Derek is a golfer.
Charlotte - very easy to talk to. A good laugh.
Matthais - German and therefore a bit odd.
Ruth and Chris. Ruth is nice, a doctor. Chris is probably the most anally-retentive control freak I have met on my travels so far.
There is also a new lady (can't remember her name, foreign) who you can already tell isn't going to fit in. She doesn't like diesel fumes, the lack of wake-up calls and the fact that the water is iodine-treated not filtered.

As you might have guessed this is like Big Brother on wheels. Before I joined there have already been blazing rows with the travellers over food, drink, mess, lack of space. I think Archie would call it "a break down in Group Dynamics" I have been looking for cameras most of the day.