Ties is officially wrapped up and it’s time for Tracy and I to get ready for our next adventure.
We still need to figure out what is wrong with the Noah. The first mechanic tells us they can’t find anything wrong. The second mechanic tells us it could be one of three things causing the problem and he would need a few days to diagnose and repair. But, we don’t have a few days! Do we risk having the Noah break down on the trip? We can’t rent a car for the entire trip because rental cars are not allowed to cross borders.
After considerable but quick deliberation, we decide it’s too risky to take the Noah. In less than 24 hours we re-frame the trip, eliminate a good portion of Argentina, schedule flights to get between major cities, and determine where to rent cars along the way. It was an intense exercise, but we managed to maintain the bulk of the trip. And, on the upside, we were able to add in Santiago and Valparaiso in Chile.
Another important item on the list was travel visas for Bolivia. We visited the Bolivian Embassy to see if they could issue visas, which they can’t. They provided a checklist of what we need to provide, asked us to do the online application, and sent us on our way. One item the embassy staff emphasized is the need for Yellow Fever vaccinations. I had my vaccination, Tracy did not. We headed over the hospital where Tracy’s brother-in-law works, and saw a doctor who told Tracy they could most certainly do the vaccination, but could not provide the international vaccination card necessary to cross borders. Instead, we need to head over to the Ministry of Health for the shot and appropriate documentation.
The phrase Ministry of Health immediately took my thoughts to the book 1984. What are we getting ourselves into? Dealing with the public health services in Paraguay is going to be a nightmare. But, it has to be done, so we made the trek downtown to find the Ministry of Health building. Tracy’s radar is in fine form that afternoon so she manages to take us to the correct door of the building, walks directly to the vaccination office, and we are back on our way in less than 10 minutes. The lessons here are never make assumptions…and always trust Tracy’s radar.
One evening we attended a harp concert at the municipal theater in Asuncion. The show was headlined by Martin Portillo, a well know harpist and native of Paraguay. He shared the stage with a number of special guests to perform new works in a show called Innovando II. The show was not even remotely what I expected. My expectation going into the theater was a night filled with stodgy harp music. It was more like a small town rock concert. It was a very entertaining night with lights, fog machine (which they let get out of control a couple of times…hilarious), and some wonderful music. Good times!
Guest band 
Very young special guest 
The harp is an important part of Paraguayan culture, and Tracy has a strong connection. Her ex, Nicolas Carter, is an internationally acclaimed harpist who was raised in Paraguay.
It was time to get rolling. We gathered up some supplies for the trip, repacked our suitcases so we could take less baggage, and caught our flights.
Next stop, Bolivia!