Winding Down

I officially have about 6 or 7 Days left in Buenos Aires. I can´t believe that time flies so ridiculously fast. I remember how excited I was to get down here and study abroad. And, now, what? I am done. Now I have to go back to Skidmore and lead 15 panel discussions on my study abroad program (since I am one of only three that have done this program now from Skidmore), round table discussions, and chat groups. Can´t wait. However, having been robbed, and having studied pretty in depth the reality of the current economic situation and social issues that plague the country, I have a strange feeling I will be slightly more negative than others about my experience and the current argentine reality. But, hey, I suppose that is my job!

If all goes as planned, next Thursday we will be taking off (we, meaning, Adam, Joe, and I) from Buenos Aires on a semi cama bus (boo, uncomfortable) for a hefty 27 hour bus ride, without food service, mind you, to the Bolivian border. We will then have an hour to hang out in Villazon, get our visas, and hop on a train to Uyuni where we start a 4 day salt flat expedition. Not really sure what it entails, but I have been told that it is awesome. WE then head to Potosi, possibly, for some mine adventures and make our way up to La Paz to see the big capital city. From La Paz we bus over to Lake Titicaca (or as it is affectionately called in my group of friends: Lake Boobshit) for some amazing sights and a hop over to Cuzco for our 4 day hike to Macchu Picchu. If all goes well, we can hop on a non Inca Trail company (since those are all booked up now until November) and do an alternate route to the top. Plus, I hear, the non inca trail company offer tours for about half the price of the Inca Trail companies. Lets hope they aren´t full! After Macchu Picchu, I hang out in Cuzco for 4 or 5 days, looks like by myself, until I fly back to Lima, Buenos Aires, New York, and Boston, and then hop on a bus and make my way to Portland, so I can hop in a car and be driven to Damariscotta. Woof. Long trip.