We arrived into Copacabana, a Bolivian pilgrimage town on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Twice a day, and especially at weekends, the central plaza fills up with vehicles for the Blessing of Automobiles. The cars, buses and trucks are generally new or about to undertake a long and hazardous journey (not that there's any other kind in Bolivia). The vehicles line up outside the church decked out in garlands, ribbons and bows and a priest blesses one vehicle at a time, splashing holy water on it, covering it with white rose petals and reciting blessings. Then the car owner goes nuts spraying champagne (or beer) all over the outside of the car, inside the bonnet and then inside the car all over the lovely new upholstery. As if spraying alcohol all over the innards of a
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