Update. This is what happened with customs. I got to the Aduana at 4pm on Friday, then close at 4:30. I discovered the people who do photocopies, have an assortment of 'made to order' letters on their computer. Alas, by the time a request for more time in Bolivia was printed, one of the offices was closed, and nothing would be open again till Monday. On a hunch, I asked two very nice and helpful people if it would be easier if I went to the border, left and returned again. They said yes, especially I think, because I was already late.

The next day I arrived at the border and on a hunch, said to the customs man, "Senor ___ at the Aduana in Al Alto, La Paz, said since I can't get the paperwork done on the weekend, you'd give me an extension, so the car date matches what's on my passport."

Within five minutes it was done. No bribes, no charges. Nothing like dropping a name... I don't of course know if it would've made any difference, but anyone needing a name, send me an email. I'm not sure it would be politic to post the nice man's name here. Unfortunately, the border only gave me six weeks on the van, even though I have three months on my passport. Sigh. How much time has everyone else been given? I've heard up to six months! Why are they being so stingy with me??? Anyway, hopefully by then I'll have enough money to invest in Chile's expensive gas for a short trip before re-entering.

Extraneous adventures included: driving through LaPaz during Friday lunch hour, stalling on a steep hill, and because of being very low on gas, having to buy some, taking everything out of the front to get to the motor, and pouring the gas in the carburetor, having to reverse down two 'short cuts' that were too steep for the Chevy, then having an argument with a little old lady who threw a rock at Bruiser, before getting to the Aduana in Al Alto.

After the Aduana, I then got entangled in Friday rush hour traffic, saw my first skinned, beheaded and gutted dog in a market, erroneously took the road to Chile, and then took the wrong road to Copacabana, before taking the right road.

However I must be becoming more evolved at travel, because I stayed calm the entire time. Six months ago, I would've felt totally hassled.

Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions!
Camped behind the archeological site at Tiwanaku for 8 nights getting some work done, overlooking adobe houses and a valley. Great weather. Now back in La Paz.

Lorraine

PS And predictably, the police came around at the site, a regular occurrence when you have a van which looks like it could be smuggling something. Which is why I wanted my papers in order, and why I want to get a paint job. Not sure if it'll help, but... will at least help the resale value when I get ready to sell!

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