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Info
Partnering with RPB To Raise Awareness
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The leading voluntary health organization supporting eye research.
We've partnered with Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) to raise awareness about blindness. RPB focuses primarily on funding eye research with approximately 90% of its budget allocated for research and research related expenses. In 2010, this figure was ~$13M.
The non-profit organization has been influential in elevating the importance of creating independent ophthalmology departments at medical schools - this allows bigger budgets to fund ophthalmology-related research. RPB was also instrumental in the creation of the National Eye Institute within the National Institute for Health. These two accomplishments alone have enabled eye research to gain more footing at research institutions.
The Evolution of Sight Restoration
2010 Annual Report cover article
Dr. Eyal Margalit leads a research team
that is developing a retinal prosthetic
device that will increase the number of electrodes stimulating photoreceptors
View Annual Reports.
Get e-News from RPB.
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Schools & Organizations We Visited
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Schools / Organizations
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Date
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Location
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Foundation for Blind Children
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Feb '11
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Phoenix, AZ
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SENADIS
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May '12
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Santiago, Chile
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UMCE
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May '12
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Santiago, Chile
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Hellen Keller School
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May '12
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Santiago, Chile
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FUNDALURP
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May '12
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Santiago, Chile
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Group Meeting
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May '12
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Mendoza, Argentina
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Helen Keller School
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May '12
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Mendoza, Argentina
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Casa del Discapacitado
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May '12
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Mendoza, Argentina
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Uni Redes
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Jun '12
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Mendoza, Argentina
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Corina Lona
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Jul '12
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Salta, Argentina
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Centro de Rehabilitacion Fisica y Educacion Especial
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Jul '12
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La Paz, Bolivia
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Instituto Boliviano de la Ceguera (I.B.C.)
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Aug '12
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La Paz, Bolivia
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Escuela Nacional de Ciegos Helen Keller
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Nov '12
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Panama City, Panama
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Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind
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Feb '13
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Tucson, Arizona
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U of Az, College of Education
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Feb '13
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Tucson, Arizona
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El Grupo
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Feb '13
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Tucson, Arizona
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Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired
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Feb '13
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Tucson, Arizona
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Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired
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Feb '13
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Phoenix, Arizona
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Arizona Hiking Shack
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Feb '13
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Phoenix, Arizona
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2 High Schools in Reno
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Mar '13
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Reno, Nevada
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Lions Club - Sparks
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Mar '13
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Sparks, Nevada
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Lions Club - Bend
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Apr '13
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Bend, Oregon
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Presentation
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Apr '13
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Portland, Oregon
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Mt Si High School
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Apr '13
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Snoqualmie, Washington
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Kiwanis Club |
May '13 |
Anacortes, Washington |
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Anacortes High School |
May '13 |
Anacortes, Washington |
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Accessible Media Inc Interview |
May '13 |
Vancouver, Canada |
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BC Blind Sports |
May '13 |
Vancouver, Canada |
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2 Elementary Schools |
May '13 |
Courtenay, Canada |
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Timberline High School |
May '13 |
Campbell River, Canada |
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Oyster Bay Elementary School |
May '13 |
Campbell River, Canada |
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Rotary Clubs (2x) |
Jun '13 |
Whitehorse, Canada |
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Lions Club |
Jun '13 |
Whitehorse, Canada |
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Canada Day Parade |
Jul '13 |
Haines Junction, Canada |
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Lions Clubs (Host, Fox and North Pole) |
Jul '13 |
Fairbanks, Alaska |
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Access Alaska |
Aug '13 |
Fairbanks, Alaska |
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Tanana Valley State Fair |
Aug '13 |
Fairbanks, Alaska |
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Alaska Center for the Blind |
Aug '13 |
Anchorage, Alaska |
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New Hope Community |
Sep '13 |
New York |
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Cathedral Church of the Nativity |
Sep '13 |
Pennsylvania |
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Bethlehem Rotary Club |
Sep '13 |
Pennsylvania |
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Phases & Stages of the Journey
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Map of Stages
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Viewership Goals
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We're targeting 350 by end-Phase 1 and 600 by end-Phase 2.
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Phase 1: 1st Half of 2011
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Launch website
Seek sponsorship
Communicate with Schools for the Blind
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Phase 2: 2nd Half of 2011
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Spread the word
Gear preparation
Finalize logistics
Get in shape!
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Stage 1: Ushuaia, Argentina to Santiago,
Chile
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Click to see approximate map
Distance: ~1,800 miles
The terrain looks challenging and we hear that going south to north experiences a lot of
headwind out of Ushuaia.
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Stage 2: Santiago, Chile to La Paz,
Bolivia
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Click to see approximate map
Distance: ~1,900 miles
This should be challenging because we'll be ascending to Bolivia's Altiplano at about 14,000 feet.
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Stage 3: La Paz, Bolivia to Panama City,
Panama
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Click to see approximate map
Distance: ~3,000 miles
We're not sure how we're going to cross Colombia just yet ...or the Panama Canal.
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Stage 4: Panama City, Panama to
Phoenix, Arizona
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Click to see approximate map
Distance: ~3,000 miles
Mexico should be "adventurous" with the drug cartels, and we'll be relieved to cross
into Arizona.
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Stage 5: Phoenix, Arizona to Fort
Nelson, Canada
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Click to see approximate map
Distance: ~2,500 miles
If all goes as planned, we should make it to Fort Nelson in British Columbia, Canada by
end Spring 2013.
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Stage 6: Fort Nelson, Canada to
Deadhorse, Alaska
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Click to see approximate map
Distance: ~1,800 miles
That'll be the day when we finally hit this last stage of this long journey.
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Go to Top
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Tools in Making 2B2R
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Software
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Purpose
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| MS Word |
For documents and converting to PDF's. |
| MS Excel |
For charts and graphs. |
| MS Powerpoint |
For making videos when needed. |
| MS Paint |
(Free) Used to create/modify images. |
| MS Windows Movie Maker |
(Free) Used to create videos. |
| Photoscape |
(Free) Used to create/edit images. |
| GIMP 2.0 |
(Free) Used to create transparent images. |
| FileZilla |
(Free) Used for FTP webpage files to server. |
| Format Factory |
(Free) Used to convert media files. |
| Notepad |
(Free) Used to HTML code website. |
| VideoPad |
(Free) Used to make videos. |
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Hardware
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Purpose
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| Laptop |
Used for everything! |
| Nikon Coolpix Camera | Used for photos and videos. |
| Canon G12 Camera | Used for photos and videos. |
| Video Camera | Used for videos. |
| Camera Remote Control | Used for remote photos. |
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Gear List
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Bike Equipment
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Quantity
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| Tandem Bike | 1 |
| Front Panniers | 1 set |
| Rear Panniers | 1 set |
| Bike Computer | 1 |
| Tool Kit | 1 set |
| Trailer | 1 |
| Bungee Cords | 3 |
| Spare Tire | 1 |
| Pump | 1 |
| Spares for spokes/cables | 1 |
| Rear Blinking Light | 1 |
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Camping Equipment
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Quantity
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| Tent w/Footprint | 1 |
Sleeping Bag (~20° F) | 2 |
Sleeping Pad | 2 |
Headlamp | 2 |
Water Filter | 1 |
Sewing Kit | 1 |
Small Towel | 2 |
| Cooking Kit | 1 set |
Utensils | 1 set |
| Stove | 1 |
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Electronics
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Quantity
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| Laptop 11.6" | 1 |
| Camera | 2 |
| Camera Remote Control | 1 |
| Video Camera | 1 |
| iPhone | 1 |
| Memory Stick | 1 |
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Travel Costs
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Flights
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Costs
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| Phoenix to Buenos Aires (Per person, one-way)
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$661
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| Buenos Aires to Ushuaia (Per person, one-way)
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$228
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Argentina: Dec 2011 - Jul 2012 ($1 US = 4.28 ARS)
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Costs
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| Visa Reciprocity Fee (Per person, US citizen)
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$140
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| Cheap hotel in San Telmo, Buenos Aires
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ARS 120
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| Empanada (meat=carne) in Buenos Aires
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ARS 3
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| Cheap beer at grocery store (660 ml)
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ARS 6.60
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| Ushuaia: Camping, per night/per person
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ARS 35
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| Ushuaia: Possible dorm bed in cheap hostel
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ARS 80
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| Ushuaia: Food
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| Pasta (1/2 kg)
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ARS 3-5
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| Chorrizzo (1 kg)
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ARS 58
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| 6 eggs
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ARS 8
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| Oranges (1 kg)
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ARS 8
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| Mendoza, Tucuman and Salta seem around 10-15% less than Ushuaia costs.
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Chile: Feb 2012 - May 2012($1 US = 486 CLP)
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Costs
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Punta Arenas: Hostel Camping per person/night
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CLP 2500
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Food: Perhaps +10% Argentina costs
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Cohaique to Puerto Montt to Santiago costs are pretty similar.
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Bolivia: Jul 2012 - TBD ($1 US = 6.8 BLV)
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Costs |
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Accomodations (Alojamientos and Residencials are least expensive, cost is per person per night)
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20-25 BLV |
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Food (meals in markets with meat)
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6-12 BLV
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Tips from the Road
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Tips
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Comments
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| Stove Fuel
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In Argentina, butane canisters and kerosene are sold in "ferreterias (hardware stores)". We are using an MSR Whisperlite International for its ability to burn various fuels: white gas, kerosene, jet fuel, and gasoline. Gasoline is really bad because it leaves residuals that clog up the jet nozzle and it also smells. White gas is hard to find (other travelers say it's possible to find); kerosene is available at ferreterias, which are common all over Argentina.
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| Tent Size
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For two people, we highly recommend a 3-person tent. During those rainy days, you'll appreciate the room to move around and to store gear out of rain's way.
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| Duct Tape |
This is the miracle must-carry item. It fixes everything! Ferreterias (hardware stores) in Argentina sell this: "cinta."
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| Tent Floor |
Tent floors will eventually become "holy" ...that is, have holes that water will seep through and make the inside the tent wet. We lined our tent floor with a shower curtain and used duct tape to seal it. Rain can now pour all it wants!
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