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Town of Uyuni

By Daniel Lins - 2009-10-05

Uyuni

We rolled into Uyuni long after dark; legs tired from the hard push through the salt flats and sandy desert roads. The hopes of American-style pizza had lent sustaining power to our legs.

We’d heard rumors of this famous pizza from travelers since Tierra del Fuego. MinuteMen Pizza, on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, is run by a man from Boston and his Bolivian wife. We got there and were welcomed by warm air and our first smells of real pizza since being home.

The dinner did not disappoint. We each downed a large pizza along with a heavenly piece of chocolate cake. Talking with Chris and Susy (in English!) was a welcome taste of home. After hours of relaxing and talking, it was time to go. As we walked into the cold evening air, they invited us to stay with them for the night. The next morning, breakfast of chocolate pancakes and real coffee was another mouth-watering taste of home.

Exploring the city during the day, we happened upon the weekly market on main street. Our first view of Bolivian traditional dress and customs. Whoop! Babies wrapped in blanket-backpacks and women with top-hats. How fun!

Later in the week, Chris took me to meet his friend, the master-welder of Bolivia, to take a look at my cracked bicycle frame. I left the bike there and came back the next day to find my frame as good as new, with a brand-new handmade rack on the back. I had previously worried about having to buy a new bike because of this fracture, but the weld gave me renewed faith in my steed.

We spent the rest of the week sampling the cheap Bolivian food and exploring the tourist town of Uyuni.