Blogs from Chuquisaca Department, Bolivia, South America - page 37

Four boys played tennis in the departure lounge of Sucre airport oblivious to the chaos outside. The members of Congress had just flown in to get away from their usual haunt of La Paz and the madness that was ensuing there. The President had just resigned and they needed somewhere to convene to discuss the appointment of a new President. Problem was, the trouble followed them! Crowds of protesters were awaiting them at the airport and we had to struggle past them to go into the airport to get a flight to our friend's in Cochabamba (still in Bolivia). As we sat forlornly looking out the window at the heavily-armed commandos surrounding the airport there was an announcement in Spanish, then in garbled English, that this would be the last flight from Sucre, after which all ... read more

So I finally left Lima, I think the airport is the nicest part of the city, I also cracked and ate at the McDonalds, I had resisted for too long and airports are international so technically its allowed, it was also the cheapest place to eat that didnt serve guinea pig! Just before I boarded my flight I checked email to confirm with the girls when i would be arriving in La Paz. I had an email from Naomi saying DONT GO TO LA PAZ, because over the past couple of days it had gotten super crazy. I was a bit stuck, I´d already checked in and I´d asked the airline if it was safe to fly and they said it was ok. The flight arrived at La Paz at 1130pm so i had intended to ... read more

- FOOD & DRINK: Salteña's (like empañadas but tastier), pastry covered in syrup, alpaca (yuk), the loveliest bananas and oranges. Freshly squeezed OJ stalls, Chuflay cocktail (local spirit Singani with Sprite), chicha (alcoholic wheat drink - an acquired taste). Very difficult to find a typical Bolivian restaurant amongst the tourist places. - PEOPLE: SO very friendly and laid back, many in traditional dress, brightly coloured shawls used to carry the cutest babies on their backs, LOVELY Spanish teacher, knowledgeable 13yr old cemetry guide, sweet locals, shoe shine boys, patient salsa teacher, new friends! - AREA: By far my favourite place so far. I LOVE IT (as you will tell from the length and detail of this entry!). White washed buildings set amongst stunning mountainous backdrop, pretty plaza, well kept park, peaceful view point overlooking it all. ... read more

sucre is beautiful. only a 2 or 3 hour taxi ride from potosí, you drive into the town and pass by its white buildings and amazing central square. good things. daniel, the swiss, and i visited the casa de la libertad, the country´s old parliament. you see, the capital of bolivia used to be only in sucre, but as la paz grew in stature, it steadily sucked away all the parts of the central government until sucre was left as only the judicial capital. bolivia is the world´s only country with 2 capitals. the casa de la libertad is very interesting, though i won´t bore you with details. they have a very bitter exhibit explaining the war bolivia fought against chile when they were left with no access to the sea. bolivians are still extremely upset ... read more