Blogs from Cochabamba Department, Bolivia, South America - page 22

Was published on Sunday 29th. Puerto Villarroel desea convertirse en un asilo del eco-turismo, pero debe encontrar un equilibrio entre la venta hacia fuera y preservar su paraíso de la selva Paraíso Oculto Por Melanie Stern Si usted toma el surubí que va de Cochabamba a la zona turística mas popular del Chapare, Villa Tunari un poco mas allá está Ivirgazama y dobla a la izquierda encontrará las orillas del río Ichilo, y Puerto Villarroel, un pueblo de 2000 personas. Este no tiene ninguna de las comodidades que podría encontrar en Villa Tunari, como ser baños, cafés, Internet, hoteles y discotecas, sin embargo esto se compensa con la tranquilidad y la imponente naturaleza, lo que lo hace un lugar muy atractivo si quiere un escape de la vida de la ciudad Puerto Villarroel entra mas en ... read more

So, yesterday Im on the bus from Villa Tunari to Cochabamba. Im just sitting by the window, minding my own business when this little boy and his sister come and squeeze in next to me. Its a tight squeeze, the boy is nuzzled up against my leg and they are a bit smelly, but they are pretty cute so I think, what the hell, I dont mind. The boy is looking up at me so innocently with these huge, brown, almond shaped eyes. We make eyes at each other for awhile, and then I turn back to the window and try to fall asleep. The next thing I know, I wake up to a warm, wet sensation spreading across my leg. I look down, the boy is still looking at me as if butter wouldnt melt. ... read more

The other day, I met one of my next-door neighbors, a very pleasent, older man named Jorge. As I sat as his kitchen table, he offered me tea, bread, and cake - all of which I accepted. I sat at the table and spoke Spanish with him, his brother, and another student (the one Jorge is hosting). I felt so warm and welcome there in that kitchen. As I was leaving, Jorge said, If you ever need anything, or whenever you want to come here, come. This is your house. When I got home, I had a nice conversation with my host mom. Having conversations in Spanish take a little less effort ever day. When I started to do the dishes, she said she could do them. I insisted and said, Cuando yo llavo los platos, ... read more

After La Paz we traveled 8 hours south to Cochabamba arriving fairly late at 9pm and then the usual lovely walk around trying to find somewhere to stay. Luckily it was a safe enough place and we stayed in a nice place where the owner gave us loads of local advice telling us where’s safe and places to stay away from. Cochabamba doesn’t have much to offer and we only used it as a place to break up our journey to Sucre. We only stayed 2 nights and the highlight, well for Michelle anyway was possibly the largest market we have ever been too and that’s saying something, as some of the ones in Asia were huge! The place went on and on and is probably the first place we have found within the year ... read more

Today was my first full day in Cochabamba, after 2 days in La Paz, and one day traveling between the two cities. My impressions of Bolivia are many, and intense, and scattered. Being in a new place is so invigorating! The women here are incredible. By observing them, I cannot help but think they are wise. Many of the older women dress in the traditional skirt and hat of the indigenous people. The indigenous population in Cochabamba is largely Quechua, while in La Paz, it is the Amaryas. And many carry large loads wrapped in blankets on thier backs, either the goods they´re selling on the street, or their children. I have seen many of these women either alone, or with other women, but rarely with men. Perhaps a coincidence, but nonetheless interesting. While walking through ... read more