Little time = little writing

Bolivians are inspiringly involved in their country. During my now two full weeks here, I´ve seen one road block, two strikes, one (pretend) demonstration, and two political rallies. That´s besides the countless political slogans and enticements painted on walls, homes and collapsed bridges.

Above is a picture of a Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS -- Evo Morales´political party) rally last night in Oruro. In the centre is candidate Limberth Oporto. Oporto and a second candidate, Mirtha Jimenez, were campaigning for the C-33 riding (Oruro, I think). The crowd´s energy was amazing. It´s also interesting how Evo Morales is the lone politician, as far as I know, whom the people call by first name. Marketing, meaningful, or both?

People danced with MAS flags (striped blue, black and white) while igniting fireworks in their bare hands. I kept taking steps backwards to escape the thick smoke. The candidates danced on stage with MAS flags, gave short and direct political speeches and enjoyed the rally. It was quite a refreshing change from the political proceedings I´ve witnessed in Canada.



How cold is a Bolivian winter?

Yes. Those are my boots, standing on ice in the Bolivian Altiplano.

Before arriving here, I was in complete denial that it was going to be winter here and that winter in Bolivia was cold.

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I had a true Bolivian movie experience last night. There were only the cheap tickets left for El Código Davinci -- so we sat on the bare-board bleachers (the "galería" section), three storeys up, for over two hours.

And with the theme of the movie fresh in my mind, I thought I´d throw in this photo of the frescos inside the church in Curahuara de Carangas. No one can tell me the name of the painter(s) but the frescos date to the 16th and 17th centuries and are amazingly well preserved.

This one is titled "El Baptismo de Sangre."