We set off on Friday for our 2 day drive to Bolivia. Stopped for lunch at a little mountain town called Purmamarca where they had a really colourful market. It was also the first time we had seen people who looked more native (from Andean mountain tribes) than the typical Argentineans. Had lunch and then pushed on, stopping at some mini salt flats (ironically called Saltinas Grandes) where we practised a few silly poses, in preparation for the big salt flats in Bolivia.

As we climbed up, the altitude started to affect some of us. I felt reasonably ok although was struggling a little to breather, even just sitting on the truck - my chest became really tight and I was hyperventilating. Michelle was quite badly affected. E stopped for a pee stop and I could have sworn that the whole building was swaying - scary! We were at about 4,200m. We then arrived at our overnight stop - the thriving metropolis of Susques - a sort of truck stop/transport cafe type place which is pretty much the last piece of civilisation (if you can call it that!) before the Bolivian border). It had one street which stopped abruptly as though it was the end of the world. In fact, it really was the arse end of the world although the sign claimed it was the gateway to the Andes! We went for an explore (which took all of about 2 minutes) and then got accosted by a little 5 year old girl called Guara who grilled us on our names and where we came from etc. She was very funny and full of confidence! I asked if I could have my photo taken with her and she proceeded to pose all over me and the other girls - very funny! And the weirdest thing? I didn't run away from her!

After dinner in the only restaurant in the town (which was still full of tumbleweed and staring locals) we went back to our luxury accommodation (ha!) where Michael went to the toilet for some man time. Given that we had 1 toilet between 9 of us, 7 of whom were girls, he could have asked if we wanted to go first. The smell was unbelievable (in fact Steve - in was a smell that could outlast religion and definitely takes away my nickname of Stinky!). Michelle was brushing her teeth outside and started gagging and none of us dared venture anywhere near the no-go zone. We almost needed to cordon off the area with yellow tape! After the stench had subsided we made it to bed. The boys (Michael and Gaetano) were in the room next to us so then started some inane giggling (amazing what affect altitude has on you - and we had had no alcohol whatsoever!). There was then some (anonymous) fartage in our room so Michael started spraying deodorant through the keyhole. All very childish and delirious but hilarious at the same time!