A JOURNEY IN BOLIVIA 1988
nothing but a single echinopsis and opuntia.
My descent was spectacular for a number of goats. At least I was being watched intently
by these animals. It occurred to me that the south side of the hill would probably
be easier to descend than the north side we had just taken.
However, I ran into a
deep ravine up to three times and had to go back almost to the top. Eventually I
was able to slide half way down the dry bed of a stream, whereby my pants in particular
were subject to severe wear and tear. I will therefore not recommend this mountain
to anyone for climbing.
If we wanted to find something this day, we had to go to another area, e.g. the cement factory, where we had been unsuccessful a week ago. The driver drove there and we found an exit that led to the factory grounds. There was no human being to be seen, so we continued to the end of the plain in front of the excavated mountain.
Here the car stopped and we went to search on a hill, which looked quite white again. Actually, I didn't expect anything, but we still found the wanted plants.
In the meantime the taxi had left and a truck from the factory arrived with two gentlemen in red helmets. They made it clear to us that we were in serious violation, because of course we were not allowed to enter the grounds of the cement factory just like that. However, we could explain to them that we were stupid gringos, looking for little plants and humbly pronouncing "desculpe". They were happy with that and we were even brought back to the gate with their car.
After a hot shower we visited the European restaurant again. On the way we met our friend, the charrango salesman. He stated that we had paid him Bs 5, too little. We wished him a good evening and left him disappointed.
Sunday, August 21st
The taxi was ready again at half past eight. Kik wanted to return to the area beyond Yamparaez, where the women had supplied us with plants. In the first place we had no location photos and it was possible that S. aureiflora was still growing there.
The taxi driver drove skilfully and we were back on the spot within an hour. They did not know us (anymore), but one of the women, who seemed to be in charge, was willing to point out the place for Bs 10. That didn't seem like such a good idea to us, so the price soon fell to Bs 5. They also said they knew S. aureiflora.
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