that's worth a free tshirt

So, what happened next?

At some point along the ride I crashed my bike, and broke my face. The good part is I don't remember anything, thanks to the concussion.

Basically,  poor sweet Casie was my hero! No one saw me wreck,  just found me on the road in agony.  Ask Casie all about it ...

I was out of it for the entire van ride back to La Paz (several hours) and Casie answered my questions over and over:

"What happened? "
"You wrecked your bike."
"Oh no, that's why my hand hurts, and my head. Did anyone see it? Did you get pictures? "
"No."
"Awe man!"

We were supposed to meet up with Dave and Stacie at the end and go to a nature reserve where we would stay in a tree house surrounded by birds and monkeys (I know, right?!) But they just took us back to the office in La Paz. On the way, not knowing how to get in touch with the Mancinis,  Crasie happened to see out the window two hitch-hikers, that were our very own D and S! Her yelp woke me from my "distant" state, and I heard "PA-RE!! Amigos!!" [STOP! My friends! ]

I remember hearing Dave and Stacie's voices and thinking,  good job Casie! They were able to ride back with us,  and get me to a hospital.  Our tour guide didn't help at all! He made mancinis pay for the ride, and refused to get me a taxi to the hospital. Jerk [TripAdvisor got a livid review]

So, since I needed more of the Bolivian experience,  ER visit and 2 days in the hospital added that finishing touch.  Stacie's words hit hard: "No monkeys today." Ugh, you win Bolivia! I give up! I don't know how Dave and Stacie handle it so well,  they never missed a beat.

Hospital fun

The only monkey I saw

We had one last night in La Paz,  we rode the other cable car to the other side of town and had dinner.

Then the 20 hours of airplanes,  in a neckbrace. I think the customs officer in Miami felt too bad to grill me, he just stamped and let me pass. It was rough getting around the airports. But, casie is the best nurse! Haha she is probably glad to be rid of me.

So we are home!