Live from Uyuni

I'm in the running for the "Traveler of the Year" award, cuz today we are here in Uyuni (oo-you-knee), a little town about 6 hours north of Tupiza.  Last week we were in Villazon and the Quiaca, which is crossing the border into Argentina.  And now we are up on the other extreme of our zone.  We took a bus in yesterday, and got in here about 5 pm, and met up with the four Elders that work here.  The best part was that it was all dirt roads, not even 10 feet of asphalt haha, needless to say it was a long bus ride!

Honestly not a whole lot of news this week, about as normal of a week as we can have.  So nothing really to report there.

But we've got more traveling ahead of us.  Tuesday night we head back to Tupiza on a 6 hour Train, and get there at about 5 am Wednesday.  Then that same day at about 10 pm we have to take another 6 hour bus with all of our zone up to Potosì for Zone Conference with the President.  So we'll get into Potosi at about 4 am Thursday, have Zone Conference from 9-2 pm, then head back to Tupiza on another 6 hour bus, and get back home at about 4 am Friday.  Beat that travel schedule!  Now you see why I'm going for Traveler of the Year right?

It's fun to travel, but at the same time it can be a huge pain!  But, what can you do?

I'll send you guys some pics this week.  I have a ton from the Salt Flats here in Uyuni, which are the biggest Salt Flats in the world.  We were there all this morning, woke up at 5 30 and were out there driving around till about 1.  It's huge!

Hope all is well back home!  Oh, and 17 months today!  Miss you guys!

Love,
Elder Sehestedt

I forgot to mention this last week!  Me and Elder Sazo had our first baptism
together in Tupiza.  Her name is Carmen, and most of her family are
members, and now she is too!

Here's a little peek at my new suit jacket.  The inside is a material called aguayo,
which is super common here, so I figured I would throw it in my suit haha. 

About a month ago, a huge international race called "Dakar" came through Bolivia, and specifically Uyuni, so it was a huge deal here.  So they have huge statues made only of salt, its awesome!

Q:  Uyuni has the biggest Salt Flats in the world?  And now you've been to them?

A:  It is just massive.  Like we drove forever just across salt, and there is nothing out there!  You could probably drive across all that in about 2 or 3 hours, it just so much!  And it is so flat!  Things look like they are way close, but in reality they are like 50 miles away!  It's crazy, and it was a lot of fun.  It's about 30 or 40 minutes outside of the city itself, so not too far.

Q:  I'm loving the pictures with your new camera!  Seeing you in your Utah Utes jersey with your big USA flag in Bolivia puts a smile on my heart.  How did you know to bring your flag?

A:  Cuz Elder Thomson told me to bring it haha.  His area is here in Uyuni, so he gave me the heads up!

Q:  How are the statues made?  

A:  They are like huge salt bricks put together, and then carved out of the brick, if that makes sense

Q:  How did you get up on the statue?  Are you suppose to be up there?

A:  Climbed it :) and probably not haha