Travel: Beam me down, Scotty

Compiled James Burleigh
Saturday 06 December 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

This week's random co-ordinates chosen by the computer are:

20 27' S 64 23' W

FIRST REACTION

Am I by any chance on a Spaghetti Western set?

COUNTRY AND REGION

Up in the Cordilleras de Tajsara, a mountain range in the Chuquisaca region of southern Bolivia.

NATURE OF THE TERRAIN

Although it can get dry and dusty, the mountain soil is a rich shade of terracotta; rare cacti and fossils abound. The higher you go, the more spectacular the views, especially to the east, where gently sloping hills and broad, fertile valleys stretch into the distance below.

ALTITUDE

About 3,500 feet.

POSSIBLE HAZARDS

Apart from the risk of altitude sickness, there's always a chance you might bump into a cocoa-crazed llama, but it would probably just spit at you.

USEFUL LANGUAGES

The local Chapacos speak Spanish with a lilting dialect which has more in common with the European accent than the typical Bolivian one.

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER

The recently re-elected right-wing coalition leader General Hugo Banzer.

LIKELY WEATHER CONDITIONS

You couldn't hope for a better climate; skies the colour Paul Klee dreamed of, fresh mountain air, and a temperature worthy of the Med.

REASONS FOR HANGING AROUND

This is vineyard territory and Bolivia's finest cognacs, desert wines and singani (a brandy distilled from grapes) are produced around here.

GETTING THE HELL OUT OF THERE

With the aid of some Bolivian marching powder, you could make it to the nearest town, Camargo, without having to sleep rough. Camargo is on the main road to the capital of the region, Sucre, and is only about 40km (25 miles) due west of your location. From Sucre, you can catch either train, plane or, if you're unlucky, meningitis.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in