Boarder Crossings and so much more You've become a real expert at boarder crossings. They all seem to offer something a little different. I can see why this location was on the bucket list. Simply stunning. Breathing taking. I knew a blues man could be trusted to find you a decent sunset. Well planned my friend. Some day we will follow in your footsteps.
Kindred Souls "His smile would make fathers fear for their daughters. Probably better he is with us, I thought!" Marko was a cool cat indeed. How lucky as it turned out he was with us. The vibe of exciting Blues blaring in the majesty of Death Valley is like my Pappo track in this blog...exhilarating!
It never rains in the Valley of the Moon It's an amazing place Dave...so brown is the place with white patches of salt...and the amazing pictures as always, I definitely agree with Rachel. And as you know me Dave, I was itching to dangle my feet from the Coyote stone....amazing experience Dave. Looking forward to reading your next blog.
It never rains in the Valley of the Moon Thanks Tab. The Atacama Desert has always been the top of my bucket list and what a thrill to be there...what a thrill to discover it's reality is not how I expected it. But there is no way I'd dangle my feet over Coyote Stone...no way!
Amazing Atacama About time we had that 'oft mentioned debrief of our South American sojourns Rachael. Next blog takes us to an aspect of the Atacama that we never imagined was there.
Hard to resist Bolivia is a fascinating potpourri of incredible beauty with a populous affected by religious zeal, an economic divide from poverty to potential of wealth, an indigenous majority and politics of a landlocked country fighting to burst free. Thanks for reading and commenting Ake. This is a thinking man or woman's blog. May the alpaca in you get that hug one day!
Wisdom Our conversation was more body language than words but we understood each other. "Why are you collecting sticks?" I asked him. To light a fire he indicated like smoke rising, arms raised in adoration and then said "To Pachamama." So I asked if I could take his photo and his wisdom of ages entered my lens.
Relationships and boarders This is one of your more thought provoking blogs. I enjoyed it and will give all the matters consideration. It is always interesting how we treat our neighbors. Policies and politics are complex. Those 7 deadly sins always come into play.
Relationships and borders The issues in this blog are not the fluff and bubble or walks on the wild side that often grace the blogs we enjoy on Travelblog. When we enter the country of another we not only try to feel the vibe but also what simmers under the surface. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment MJ.
Bolivia Rises! Thank you presenting this excellent article, Dave. I always have a soft corner for Bolivia. By far, perhaps it is the most impoverished country in the region. It is debatable whether it was the right or wrong approach, there must be a reason why Che Guevara took his war to the Bolivian jungle. And hats off to Eva Morales, thus protecting the interest of the indigenous people instead of some of the multinationals. I thought he lost the last election, but obviously I was wrong. I am being honest, I was not aware of the dispute between these four neigbouring countries in so much of detail. Now I am curious to know what was the view of President Salvador Allende before he was assassinated. After all, he was Marxist. And last of all, I never understood the stupid war of Maggie over the Falklands.
Good to see Geneth's picture. But I couldn't see any of Valerio's. If you have one, perhaps you could add one here.
Again, thank you for the wonderful well researched article, Dave. Good eye opener, at least for me. And a good read on the Canada Day! I don't know exactly where to draw the line between a blog and an article, but in my view, this one is more than a blog!
Bolivia Rises! Thank you for your considered response Tab. In doing my research it was interesting to read that certain Western interests criticised Evo Morales and his policies...even the Saudis!!! Now that sounds like money talking to me! We entered Bolivia expecting poverty and potential banditry but instead found a country that was safe, optimistic and enjoying the fruits of an improving economy. Yet the drop in prices of minerals around the world has had its bite. Evo Morales won his third 5 year term as President in 2015 but took a punt and ran another referendum for him to be able to run for a 4th term in 2020...and narrowly lost! And the Western press crowed in delight. He did not need seek that now, but the drop in prices of minerals may have prompted it. The win in the International Court of Justice in September 2015 was not enough to pull Evo Morales over the line in the referendum. Was it that the populous do not want to wait for Bolivia to develop their own technologies to extract their Lithium pot of gold? What I do know Tab is that Bolivia is Heaven to visit...not just for the stunning vistas that amaze the eye...but also for its fascinating fight for access to the Pacific coast and the power of international money that displays avarice and green-eye.
This is the first blog of yours that sounds like a legal brief... and that you are itching to take the case. I agree with you that Bolivia has been wronged...a case where might makes right...with Chile being the mighty power which can impose its will on its neighbors.
This is the first blog of yours that sounds like a legal brief... Coming from a country rich in resources I feel strongly that we should not sell our national heritage to foreign interests for a quick buck. In Oz our pastoral lands should remain ours...not become their's. In Argentina we saw vaste estancias bought by French and USA multinationals for water rights. How inspiring to see a country such as Bolivia that many regard as vulnerable because it is poor...stand up and say "Enough...this is our country...we should control our destiny." Give me the brief Bob...yep...I'll support the good fight!
Of course you're jumping. That's what Dancing Dave's do. Your phots always take me to another place. Breathtaking. You draw us into another world where work and other noise around us disappears. And then there's you leaping in the air... you bring joy and goofiness and made me smile. No fake meditative pose, just you... being you.
Of course you're jumping. That's what Dancing Dave's do. Thank you Anita. Your comments are extra special as you know me as the one you entrusted to handle your personal and business matters and in so doing discovered my alter ego...Dancing Dave. And in so doing I discovered just you...being you. By the way, what do I have to do to get you to make me another white chocolate cherry-swirl cheesecake?
Dining al fresco You don't need a fancy camera with talent like yours! Rock on man. Keep the light alive. “Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”
― Marc Riboud
Dining al fresco “Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” ― Marc Riboud. Thanks for the quote as the "savoring life intensely" part in particular I can really relate to. I can't do half-hearted or ordinary. I just can't. To extend it to taking pics...love it!!! Great pic selection by the way. Some of the best lunch locales we have had anywhere were under that umbrella...surreal doesn't come close!
My wife Denise & I like to travel "on paths less travelled" that capture our imagination, inspire my photography & where we mix with locals & remain safe.
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Boarder Crossings and so much more
You've become a real expert at boarder crossings. They all seem to offer something a little different. I can see why this location was on the bucket list. Simply stunning. Breathing taking. I knew a blues man could be trusted to find you a decent sunset. Well planned my friend. Some day we will follow in your footsteps.