A JOURNEY IN BOLIVIA 1988

EXIT

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SORTIE

In the evening we went to have a look behind the houses of Epizana, where it was said that sulcorebutias could be found, but we did not find any.

While we were enjoying a cup of coffee and a cigarette the officer, who had reprimanded us yesterday, came in. We also offered him coffee and asked for some information. People often enjoy being seen as experts. So after half an hour we said goodbye to a new good friend.

The evening was concluded with an exchange of experiences with the Swiss boys, who, like us, were planning to go to Aiquile.

Saturday, August 6th

That night it was much less cold. We had breakfast: with something that looked like coffee and a sandwich. When we wanted to leave, the tire repairman came to us with three sulcos: species of Epizana. So they did grow there. We would later ask him where they stood. After all, today the destination was Aiquile.

At the toll two young ladies from Totora came to ask if they could ride with us. We offered them a lift and immediately asked about sulcorebutias at Totora and showed a few found plants as an example. They said they were not close to the city. Later it turned out to us that they probably didn't have much of an eye for "espinas".

In Totora we asked the way to Omereque. After all, Leo had found interesting plants along that road. However, when we saw the road and considered the experiences with the Volkswagen of the past days, we thought it better not to try this. Unfortunately? Well no, after all there were plenty of alternatives.

Three kilometers after Totora we found a hill with dry grass. This was supposed to be the location of Sulcorebutia oenantha. After a long search, I found one plant, half hidden under a bush. Close by was a house with quite a few children. We asked them if they knew how to find any more of these kinds of plants. They claimed not to know the plant.

At Chimuri we asked a young man to help us . He answered unintelligibly, but we understood that he had no time or inclination to help out. About five minutes later we heard a shrill, high-pitched whistle. The young man stood behind us and beckoned. It turned out he had been calling upon two of his comrades. We were taken several hundred meters into the field. The eldest of the three disappeared and returned after a short while with three rather large Sulcorebutias,

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