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South
America / Letter 15
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Travels
in Bolivia
Hola to everyone
I have been traveling Bolivia with
Paul and Jay Mikaelsen. It has been a trip
in memory lane for Paul and I. We spent a
few days in LaPaz to get the car tuned-up,
wash clothes, and visit the markets to find
alpaca sweaters. January 6th is called the
Day of the Kings. We were downtown to see
hundreds of people at San Francisco Catholic
Church participate in a special celebration
where many people buy an infant Christ child
in elaborate finery and take it to the
church to be blessed by the priests and then
to their own traditional spiritual leader
for blessings so that they will have their
needs and wishes met for the new year. It is
and interesting mix of religion and
tradition. |
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I departed from LaPaz heading southwest across the
high altiplano to Cochabamba. I am driving at
13,000 to 14,000 feet. You can see herds of alpacas
roaming the slightly hilly terrain and pink
flamingoes in the small lakes. I then started to
descend through very steep mountain roads. All along
the way are dogs sitting at the road side (a well
fed dog every mile or so). These dogs receive bread
from the motorists for safe travels. I did have
some stale old bread and tossed it to a couple of
kids and dogs.
I arrived in Cochabamba, the altitude is 8,000 feet
and still tropical. The next day Paul and I toured
our old boarding school called the Bolivian Indian
Mission School. We both told stories of the past
that had us all laughing and a few sad ones, too.
The school has a small museaum collection that
included mummies wrapped in baskets, pottery,
butterfly collection, and pre-Inca tools. It was
very interesting! From here we took a drive up to
the Inca-Rakiny ruins. We climbed to 15,000 feet and
had one of the most beautiful vistas of sharp Andes
mountains and the river valley of Cochabamba.
Our next adventure was onto Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We
climbed out of Cochamba to 15,000 feet and then
dropped down to sea level. We had a few pens break
and yogurt cups pop. Santa Cruz is in the savanah.
It is very hot and humid. The sun is intense and is
almost unbearable during the mid day. We visited
friends from the past, explored the most modern city
in Bolivia (it even has a Gap store), watched the
silver grey slothes that live in the park square
eating leaves on the the tree (it is true....they
move very very slowly and have 4 inch curved claws,
and had a McDonalds Big Mac, fries, and coke(and by
now it tasted fantastic...just like the states). We
also spent an extra day visiting the Bolivian Air
Force looking at a T28 and discussing some T6's for
all you airplane fans.
We decided that instead of heading to Sucre we all
needed to get on with work and travels to Chile so
we expedited our return to LaPaz. I plan to depart
for Arequipe, Chile tomorrow and will let you know
how my adventures are progressing.
CHILE
Addition......
January 20, 1999
I have traveled from LaPaz across the altiplano at
16,000 feet. The air is so thin and clear. I can
see stars,the biggest milkyway, and the Southern
Cross. I arrived in Arica tired, but very happy.
Chile is very clean, modern, and the people are very
kind. I am now traveling the coastal area which is
high sand volcanoes and beaches. There is a festive
air to the people and a calm disposition. I am now
in Santiago arranging for the rest of the trip south
and homeward passage for the car and myself. I am definitely homesick, but love Chile.
Hugs to all and will write soon, Ben
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