Arrived at the consulate around ten to find out we needed to apply
online and pay our US$120 at the bank of Brazil in center of town. We
sat in the park and applied online using the consulates address as
contact address in Bolivia.
Next to tackle the inner city. We found the bank easily and a park. John put on hazards and waited for a gap in the traffic to reverse into the park. Unseen by him a cop bike was close behind and the cop thumped the side of the vehicle with his hand. Lots of gestulation and annoyance by Rider Cop who told the pillan cop to sort. He wanted in the cab and I said only two seat belts. He tried to catch a ride with the bike but it took off so we followed him to the next block where we parked on a yellow edge (no parking) The cop was trying to explain that we were illegally (double parked) we tried to explain we were trying to park. He wanted John to go to the cop shop with him. A local stopped and asked if we needed help in English. John said yes please. The only question that the local asked was had we hit anyone. The answer was no.
The Cop had our aduana (cars passport for Bolivia) John traded it for his international license but that was returned as well. The local went off to the cop shop with the cop. I went off to the bank to pay the visa fee only to find a long queue; took my ticket and returned to EC just as the local got back. He told us all was OK but not to park in town… His wife runs the shop we were parked beside and had phoned him. He saved our day. I thanked his wife.
John drove in circles for the next hour while I alternately waited in bank or was visiting ATMs for cash and finally paid for the visas. What a day.
We just wanted to get out but drove to the river and the green within the city and found a shady spot to do some internet stuff. Figured we’d just cross into a nearby quarry for the night.
Some guys in parque uniform came up and told us it was dangerous and we could go to the head guys place for the night. So we followed him home and after taking down his clothes line we parked in their back yard. His Wife candy was doing washing. They invited us into town with them in ½ hour so a quick shower and clean clothes. To my surprise he was finishing the washing while Candy was getting herself and their two daughters ready.
Interesting bus ride into the central plaza. We had a wander around and looked at sculptures on display in a gallery. Wonderful pieces and quiet cheap, very tempting. Lots of people hanging about playing chess or just sitting; lots of kids. Candy’s husband got a photographer to take a photo of us all in front of the cathedral. It was then printed out on the small printer hanging around the photographers neck!! We had an interesting time just looking at all the people spend their evening in the square. Still very hot with all the concrete around.