Recovering from the extreme weather conditions, we pressed on only to be confronted by another natural phenomenon of equally destructive power.
Bolivian politics.
As we approached the small town of Oruro the traffic came to an emphatic halt and climbing down from the truck, it stretched as far as our dust-filled eyes could see.
After a little local scouting amongst the truck drivers ahead of us, it transpired that the local Mayor was falling short of his election promises.
The English way is to grumble, drink some tea and wait five years until the polls open.
Before forgetting to vote.
The Bolivians favour more direct action that usually takes the form of burning tyres and lynching the offending politician. El Mayoro was holed up in the town hall, frantically revising his manifesto for re-election and nailing planks across the windows.
Rather than express an opinion, we reached a mutually beneficial arrangement with a local fedora-toting type. Freddie agreed to help us bypass the political impasse in return for a lift to his home on the far side of town.
We turned right, off the highway and onto a dusty dirt track that meandered for several miles into cliff-strewn farm land. After a while we caught up with a grounded commuter bus, that despite the driver’s best efforts, refused to move. The passengers decanted and rocks were wedged under the wheels. After five minutes of frantic manoeuvring, the under-carriage of the coach lifted off the road and we were moving again.
Two minutes later the saga repeated itself.
And again five minutes after that.
It was becoming increasing apparent that the coach was not going to be able to make the detour but as the track was so narrow and beset on all sides by steep drops, there was no way to turn around.
It was forward or bust.
After a mile, a small passing place appeared and to a cheer from the crew, Cameron eased passed, courtesy of her high wheel base. The coach followed but in no time we were bouncing over a rocky riverbed and the he was firmly stuck.
If you care to take a right off the highway just short of Oruro, you can still see the bus.
The Bolivian bus schedules are sufficiently fluid that technically, he's not even late yet.
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