On the gasoline controversy in Bolivia - gas is heavily
subsidized for Bolivians and for various mindless reasons there is a different
price for ‘Internationals’ (everyone with a foreign number plate) which is way
above the local price
I have had no luck getting gas at the local price - at every
gas station they have a look at my number plate and quote me the
‘international’ rate and I don’t see how I can get it at the local price as it
does not benefit the gas attendant - actually it has a large financial benefit if
he or she sells it at the inflated rate - as most gas stations do not have the
form (or pretend they don’t) they are supposed to fill in every time they go
‘international’
So, as far as the system is concerned the gasoline was sold
to a local and as no form was filled the attendant pockets the difference!
From La Paz I headed further south to Tupiza, apparently has
the same red canyons as New Mexico and Arizona - well whoever said that has not
been to New Mexico or Arizona. By the way - Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid were
killed in this area
The road connecting Tupiza to Uyuni can best be described as
horrible no wonder it was chosen for the Dakar rally - there is actually a
barrier across the road where you have to stop and pay 25 Bolivian to have the
pleasure of driving the famed Dakar Rally leg! You can imagine the 'checkered flag' effect on
the locals and Dakar Rally enthusiasts
The opening ceremony for the rally was held in the Salar for Bolivia
Flags of all the participating countries
As I don’t have a full team of stand by mechanics - it was the worst road I have ever driven
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