So I have been very busy doing everything but keeping up with my blog. I have been out in South America for five months already and I am currently on my third tour running across the South American continent from Lima to Rio de Janeiro or visa versa. The tour lasts seven weeks although some passengers only do part of the trip with their joining or leaving point in La Paz. We travel through Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil, going to some beautiful, interesting, and exciting places, many of which still fascinate me on every visit. I know people pay good money to come out here for an adventure of a lifetime but for me, this is my whole life at the moment. Even though I am working, I get to do the excursions and activities run by the local tour operators that we use as if I was just another person on holiday.
Don’t get me wrong though, I still have to earn my money. Doing accounts, preparing information for the passengers, making bookings, and confirming reservations can take up time, especially when you need internet access, which can be temperamental and slow at times. I have many spare hours sitting on the truck during the days travelling from place to place, but not much can be done in that time. I also have to buy food for the group, take the passengers on orientation walks around towns, and make sure the truck is kept in good condition. Not to mention all the group dinners, and having to take those group members who like to party out and about later at night. When socialising is part of the job, it is hard to find time for yourself and tonight is probably my first night staying in alone in well over one month. I am not complaining though as it has now become difficult for me to relax and do nothing. Boredom sets in and I want to be with people or out exploring. This has been exacerbated by having trainees on my tours, spending pretty much 24-7 with someone for at least a couple of weeks at a time. My most recent trainee just left to lead her own tour which is why I finally have some alone time. However, it does feel as if something is missing, and probably rather than talking, I now have the impetus to write my thoughts down instead in this well over due blog.
