Sorata

Hi Folks:
Based partially on the advice we received on Friday night from Ivor, Ivonne, Mario and Victor, we are here in Sorata.
The day started well as we got up and checked out and got a taxi without a problem. We arrived at the minibus stop, high on the hill by the La Paz Cemetary, just in time to be placed in the bus that was about to leave. Unfortunately to accomodate the ¨gringos¨they forced others to change seats, but then with our bags on the roof, we were off. We took one of the 2 lane roads up to El Alto (see one of my earlier posts) and our driver developed a good case of road-rage with the driver of a much bigger bus. Back and forth we went blocking the angry bus driver from passing. Climbing out of La Paz is spectacular with pretty steep drops off the side and the city many, many metres below. He finally pulled off to check the load on the roof and things calmed down. At the peak of the 3 hour trip we had 20 people in a Toyota mini-van. Anyone coming to Peru or Bolivia, really must try a ride in one of these. The ride was quite smooth and level while we drove the Alto Plano to Lake Titicaca and then turned into the mountains. The last 25kms were twisty and windy as we climbed through mountain passes and down into the steepest valleys to drop people at tiny villages clinging to the side of the mountains. Eventually into Sorata, our objective.
We were looking for a place of peace and quiet, where Joy could do some painting. This seems to be it as she has already done a 1/4 sheet painting. It is a small town of about 3,000 souls, lying in a deep mountain valley surrounded by lush green mountainsides. The smell of eucalyptus as we descended into the valley was very strong and from our window there are fuscia blooming as well as Pontsettias in there natural state. At least 2 kinds of hummingbirds were zipping around the flowers as I read my new book on Bolivian development written by a resident of Sorata.
I think that things will be a little quiet for a few days, but first to eat!
Jim