The salt flat of Uyuni (Salar de Uyni) is a flat that looks like a desert but unlike a desert it’s not covered with sand it’s covered with salt. The main purpose for my trip to South Bolivia is to see this natural phenomena.
I went with a guided tour, it’s more convenient and because I didn’t have much time because I had to go back to Cuenca for some work.
Before leaving the town of Uyuni to go see the Salt Flat, I went to see what the bus schedule to go back to La Paz, and was told the buses are only in the evening, and not to worry there will be seats available. I figured I will have time when I come back from the guided tour. The Salar de Uyuni is located in South Bolivia near the border with Chile. I remember seeing something similar in the US in the state of Utah, but this one is a lot bigger. I was the only non-native Spanish speaker; most of the tourists were from Argentina, Chile and other parts of Bolivia. There are many vendors who sell crafts made mostly of Salt. There’s also a hotel that’s constructed from salt extracted from the Salt Flat.
We arrived back in Uyuni late in the afternoon, I head directly and checked out of the hostel and went to take the bus but I was told that there are no seats available. Which means; I have to spend the night in Uyuni and wait until next day in the evening to take the bus to La Paz. I went back to the hostel and spend the night there and then I thought I will go back to Potosi and from there take the bus to La Paz, which will save me some time. Next day I went to Potosi (about 4 hours) I then took the bus from Potosi to Oruro and from there I took another bus to La Paz. Finally, I arrived in La Paz at 2AM, the bus terminal was closed, the hostel wasn’t too far and if it was during the day I would have walked to the hostel. Other passengers advised me to take a taxi for safety reason. I was too tired to go to sleep right away; I used the internet a little. I then headed to the room and when I entered the room, one of the guys warned me to go from the other side of the bed because the guy on the bed next to me has vomited. I went downstairs to the front desk and they agreed to allow me to change the room. Finally, I was able to sleep at 3:30AM and set the alarm to get up at 7:30AM to continue my trip back to Peru.
