The Man Who Was Blessed to Not Exist

That's right folks. As of now I do not exist. I believe, however, that I am a very blessed man. Allow me to explain!

I got an email from my sister the other day telling me that "Bolivia found my stuff. Call mom and dad." So I Skyped them, and learned that they had gotten a call from the US Embassy in Bolivia saying that someone had walked into the US Embassy with my missing money bag; containing money as well as my passport, credit cards, ID and other documentation. Upon visiting the embassy, I discovered that a local woman had traveled 12 hours each way to drop my stuff off at the embassy. It's amazing how people prove you wrong. In an earlier blog post I'd been talking about my impressions about Bolivians being unfriendly. I'm learning more and more that in whatever situation people are in, they have the capacity for both good and bad. And most people try to be good.

Anyways, I also learned that I no longer existed. Before I left for my tour of the salt flats on the 14th, I got a Bolivian exit stamp for the 16th for when I was sure to cross into Chile. Not having been able to do so, I left one country and didn't enter another. I'm now no longer allowed to leave Bolivia since I technically haven't entered it. Following me so far? So the US Embassy in Bolivia has arranged to sneak me across the border into Peru tomorrow so that I can come back into Bolivia and get an entry stamp to then leave Bolivia and go into Chile. That should be fun. :)

Due to the general delay in my plans, I'm now planning on spending Christmas in Bolivia - hopefully in the town of Sucre with some Canadian traveling friends. I may also visit the mining town of Potosi beforehand. Afterwards, I'll be very excited to finally be able to cross into Chile.

Regarding this whole passport situation, the lady at the US Embassy told me that I was one in a million. I know that there were a lot of people praying for me back home, and I feel tremendously blessed to have so many friends that care about me, and to have God watching over me on this trip.

Oh, and regarding Uyuni, I figure I might as well share some pictures with all of you now, right?

Cheers, God Bless,
Stephen