Anxiety about altitude sickness, the miracle of Uyuni, and above the skies of La Paz — 🌏 The story of Week 21

KITAMURA FAMILY: A record of our family of five's trip around the world ↓

Week 20, spent in the dry winds of the desert, was a "time of testing" for our family.
The days we spent playing in the sea at La Serena feel so far away now;

in San Pedro, Sena's high fever,
the anxiety of searching for accommodation,
losing a credit card,
ATM issues,
and the high altitude gradually sapped our strength.
Even so,

saved by the kindness of the man across the street,
feeling relieved as we watched Sena slowly recover,
there were nights when we looked at the sunset
and quietly realized, "We've made it this far."
And then,

the family finally prepares to head to Uyuni.
The few days we spent at the entrance to the desert

felt like the "calm before the storm."
Beyond the series of trials,
the whole family felt somewhere inside
that something magnificent was waiting for us.

Click here for Week 20's events ↓

Week 21 is the week
when that answer reveals itself.

The sunrise at the Uyuni Salt Flats,
the reflections where the sky and earth melt together,
and the cable cars running above the skies of La Paz.

For a family that has overcome the trials of the desert,
new scenery and new space await.

Week 21 is
the week when "the miracle of Uyuni embraces the family,
and the door to the next continent quietly opens."

The journey continues,
changing its scenery once again.

🇯🇵→🇺🇸→🇲🇽→🇨🇷→（🇨🇴）→🇧🇷→🇧🇴→🇦🇷→🇨🇱→🇧🇴now

11/17 Signs of recovery and the fear of stray dogs

Sena didn't have a fever.
However, we still don't know about his stomach.
In the morning, he had apple juice, yogurt, and half a bread roll.
He seemed somewhat unable to eat because he was worried about his stomach.

In the morning, we took a walk to the park.
We headed to the Centro to look for children's sunglasses for Uyuni,
and went to an ATM to withdraw money for our accommodation.

He wasn't as tired as yesterday,
but he still couldn't walk for long.

In the afternoon, we watched TV and played card games.
We took showers early and did laundry.

On the way back from buying water at the supermarket in the evening,
we were suddenly attacked by stray dogs.
They were afraid of the plastic bottle, but
the possibility of rabies crossed my mind, and a chill ran down my spine.
We managed to drive them away.

For dinner, we had rice, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
Sena was able to eat.
Tomorrow will surely be okay.

11/18 To a world at 4,800m altitude. The day the family went to the hot springs

We left the accommodation at 6:40 AM.
Sena couldn't wake up, but he had no fever.

There were 15-16 people on the tour.
We headed to the Chilean border by minibus.
We were already higher than the summit of Mt. Fuji.

The departure procedures were crowded,
so we waited outside while eating breakfast.
Sena had pineapple and a little bread.

There were no issues with leaving Chile or entering Bolivia.
However, the baggage check was extremely crowded with weak Wi-Fi.
We were annoyed, but a staff member helped us resolve it.

From there, the journey touring areas around 4,800m altitude begins.

• Laguna Blanca
• Laguna Verde (it was frozen)
• Salvador Dalí Desert
• Polques Hot Springs → Sena's excitement went through the roof. The best memory of the whole family getting in together.
• Sol de Mañana Geyser (the smell of sulfur was intense)
• Laguna Colorada → Sena rested in the car. Moa-san and I took the upper route, while my wife and Uka took the lower route. It was windy and cold, but the view was spectacular. Red, white, and black lakes, and flamingos.
• Laguna Capina (from the car window)

There was trouble even after arriving at the accommodation.
Our private room wasn't reserved,
so we settled into a double + single + single room.
Wi-Fi was 10 bolivianos.

Sena was exhausted and fell asleep without eating dinner.
Uka and Moa-san were energetic.
That was the only saving grace!
There was no hot water, so we went to bed without showering.

11/19 Car breakdown, lost backpack, and a miraculous discovery

I slept in my down jacket, so I woke up hot in the morning. I have a headache. Sena was sleeping outside the blanket. She must have been hot. Breakfast was pancakes. Sena was able to eat too. She also drank pineapple juice and got her energy back. We left before 9 o'clock. Today, we will stop by: • World Cup Rock → Amazing. All the children played by stacking stones. • Camel Rock • Stone City • Laguna Vinto • Hiking to the Mystery Lake • Anaconda Canyon • Sora Wetlands • Abandoned village of Julaca. On the way to the hostel, the car battery died and we were stranded. A tour guide who came from behind and a Brazilian dad helped us, and we managed to start driving, but it stopped again soon after. They asked, "Don't you have a knife?" but we didn't have one. It got completely dark, and in the end, we switched to another car, moved our luggage, and headed to the hostel. After arriving, we realized Uka's backpack was missing. The guide said it was "not" in the car, but when we searched with AirTag, it was left behind on the roof rack of the car we switched from. I'm so glad it was found safely. We were so busy that we couldn't eat much dinner. Sena and Uka were sleepy and cried a lot in the shower. In the end, we couldn't take a proper bath. We waited for the smartphone to charge and turned off the lights at 11:30 PM.

11/20 Sunrise at Uyuni Salt Flats and signs of recovery

Woke up at 4:30 AM. Packed up and left. • Sunrise at Uyuni Salt Flats. There was a little water, and the reflection spread with the sunrise. Sena woke up after the sunrise and had cocoa and cornflakes. • Incahuasi Island (giant cacti). Both Sena and Uka were able to walk, but they were hot from wearing thick clothes and got thirsty. It was tough because we didn't bring any drinks. Finally, we put a sticker at the ticket center. • Trick photo shoot. The guide's skills were mediocre. Sena slept in the car and didn't participate. Moa and I played catch with salt. • Salt Hotel (museum). • Flag Forest → The hotel is under renovation. Moa drew her name and Vitamin-kun on the flag. • Colchani Village (souvenirs) → Bought salt, keychains, children's ponchos, and family gloves. I'm happy that Moa said, "I want a poncho." Bought it to protect against the cold. • Train Graveyard → Swings, climbing, the children were super excited. Sena also recovered. Lunch was alpaca meat. Sena liked it and ate a lot. And she had a good bowel movement for the first time in 3 days. Best of all. At night, we had a tonkatsu set meal at a Japanese restaurant in Uyuni. Sena cried a lot because the sushi was sold out, but she ate the karaage set meal heartily and made a full recovery. Uka was sleepy and in a bad mood. We went home, brushed our teeth, and the little ones fell asleep right away.

11/21 A slow morning and walking to the bus terminal

A slow morning.
Sena woke up early to watch YouTube.

Breakfast was delicious, and
we paid an extra 150 bolivianos to change the checkout time to 5 PM.
That was a lifesaver.

For lunch, we had papas, roast chicken, arroz, and croissants.
After relaxing, we checked out.

We couldn't catch a taxi, so we walked to the bus terminal.
We had a parfait on the way. 6 bolivianos.
30 bolivianos in total.

The bus departed on time.
It was spacious and comfortable.
I slept soundly.

11/22 Cable car running above the skies of La Paz

Arrived in La Paz around 6:30. It's cold and chilly. Took an Uber to the accommodation. It was a relief to be able to check in early in the morning. After resting a bit, we had breakfast at a cafe. The pancakes are delicious. After that, we went to the cable car. Bought a card for 100 bolivianos and topped up the rest. The view while riding above the sky is spectacular. Stopped by a park in the Centro on the way, 48 bolivianos. The children seem to be having fun. Sena has made a full recovery. Moa-san has a slight headache. On the way back, had papas at the station for 10 bolivianos. Delicious. Dinner was a sandwich. Went to bed early without taking a shower.

11/23 Japanese Immigration Museum and a Bolivian cut

Breakfast at the hotel. Bananas, bread, coffee, tea. Took an Uber to the Japanese Immigration Museum. Toured while listening to explanations from Mr. Ihara. After that, went to 'Dumbo' where the kids can play. The coffee float-like drink wasn't too sweet and was good. Said goodbye to Mr. Ihara, and when the time was right, went to the cable car again. Bought snacks and wet wipes at a pharmacy. Returned to the accommodation, and went for a haircut with Sena. 30 bolivianos per person (approx. 672 yen). Bolivian cut complete.

Week 21 Summary

— The miracle of Uyuni, and above the skies of La Paz — Week 21 was a week where 'reward-like scenery' visited the family one after another, having overcome the trials of the desert. The sunrise at the Uyuni Salt Flats. The reflection on the thin layer of water erased the boundary between the sky and the earth, as if we had wandered into another world. Sena gradually regained her energy while drinking cocoa, Moa-san laughed while playing catch on the salt, and Uka climbed and played at the train graveyard. 'I'm glad we came this far.' A morning filled with that thought. We were healed by Japanese food in the city of Uyuni, and swayed on a long-distance bus to La Paz. In La Paz, we rode the cable car that runs above the sky and were breathless at the view looking down on the city. A spectacular view that makes you forget the high altitude. It was a time to feel that the journey had entered a new stage. Sena has fully recovered, and although Moa-san has a slight headache, the family is preparing to head to the next destination. And in the latter half of the week, the journey moves even more significantly. Crossing the lake, crossing the border, and heading to Peru. Looking at the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon, crossing the lake by boat, passing through a peaceful border, and heading toward the Andes mountains.

Preview of Week 22

— Crossing lakes, crossing borders, and heading to the Inca capital of Cusco —

Week 22 centers on the “journey across borders” from Bolivia to Peru.
We walk along the shores of Copacabana,
gaze at the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon in the distance,

cross the lake by boat,
and pass through a peaceful border.
On the Peruvian side,
Sena is doted on by the staff,

we hand out stickers to a traveler from Hong Kong,
and experience moments that highlight the warmth of travel.
And then, to Cusco.
While acclimating our bodies to the high altitude,

we stroll through the city,

eat sandwiches and croissants,
withdraw dollars and soles,
and prepare for the journey ahead.
However,
the “reality of travel” visits us here without mercy as well.

Lost Wise card.
Was it swallowed by the ATM, or did I drop it...?

A heart-pounding moment.
Even so,
the card is miraculously found at the bank,

and we breathe a sigh of relief.
Then, in the latter half of the week,
the journey deepens even further.

The ruins around Cusco,
the terraced fields,

the Temple of the Sun,
the winds of Pisac,
and—
the challenge of Rainbow Mountain.
In a world at an altitude of 5,036 meters,
the family sees yet another magnificent view.

Week 22 is
“a week where Inca history and the family's challenges overlap.”

The journey continues,
as the scenery changes dramatically once again.

Thank you for reading this far.

If you would like to enjoy the continuation of this story, please be sure to check out the next article as well.😊

When traveling,
it wasn't just about the scenery,

・Whether to move forward or rest
・Whether to turn back or continue
・Whether to be aggressive or cautious

It was a series of“small decisions.”Especially during our South America trip,

high fevers,

altitude sickness,
lost cards,
accommodation troubles,
travel fatigue...
Rather than searching for the “correct answer,”


“the ability to see one's current state”became necessary time and time again.
I have summarized the

“how to align your judgment while traveling”
that I felt during this trip here👇
▶ Travel Decision Axis

What “people who don't get exhausted while traveling” are looking at
~Ways of thinking to reduce impatience, anxiety, and judgment errors~

Also,

for those who want to organize
“whether to rest or move forward”
not based on intuition but logically,

this is also recommended👇
▶ Decision axis to decide whether to rest or move forward without hesitation (Saved version)(Includes sheet)

▶ 3-second decision-making to eliminate hesitation
−The complete version to reach a state where you can decide to “continue or stop” in 3 minutes−

I'll leave this here quietly for those who need it👍