Cruce de vicuñas

Putre 3530m
Parque nacional de Lauca 4500m+
Lago Chungara 4500m
Parinacota pueblo 4600m
Salar de Surire 4200m
Parque nacional de vicunas 4300m
Parque nacional volcan Isluga 3900m
Colchane pueblo 3900m

i have no idea what to say really, perhaps because what i see and feel all day every day is beyond words, explanation and sometimes understanding. It must remain what it is, simply, wonderfully. Words become overrated anyway, what do they really mean at the end of the day? But here are a few, for what it´s worth...

I find myself in the Chilean part of the altiplano, at the border of Bolivia, a region of mountains and volcanos, salars, lagunas, hot springs and high deserts... a palettes of incredible ever changing colors, wild skies, sounds i shamefully forgot existed, smells i never knew existed, sensations i didn´t want to admit i had missed so much, a oh so bizarre yet natural and logical equilibrium of the elements... this land is inhabitated by a few human beings who show an incredible and admirable resilience, but mostly by vicuñas (cousins of llamas and camels), vizcachas (big rabbits that jump around like kangaroos), llamas, alpacas, strange looking ducks, a thousand different kinds of birds, suris (or ñandú, cousins of the ostrich) and a few pumas, which i unfortunately haven´t been able to see yet... they´re so shy.
Been hanging with some of the most simple, real people i´ve encountered in a long time, of a few words mostly, lovely as well, so honest and upfront, no fear no shame, just life: inspiring!

It has been unbelievably good to withdraw from the world i know, i must say, it is very difficult for me to return to this computer after only a few days really, i can get used to this lifestyle for a undefinite while longer and disappear... may i?

But i do think of you all, so here it is: hey hey, how are you? how´s life wherever this finds you today? i hope you´re all preparing for an awesome load of festivities and great times, i send you my love from the Parinacota district of Chile and i will try to come back.

Besos, manou.

p.s. happy 1st birthday to my beautiful beloved Ilona!!!