In Vietnam, for ten years, I came across with many young people coming from Europe and who were working as volunteers in Vietnam for a few months. Happy with their daily commitments, they took advantage of their stay in Vietnam to visit the country from top to bottom as well as the surrounding countries. They felt in a hurry to visit as many places as possible, not knowing if in the future they could return one day to Southeast Asia. In Bolivia, I personally experienced the same enthusiasm and urgency. I wanted to travel inside the country of Bolivia and to know a bit of South America and I enjoyed it. I was based in Buenavista (600m above sea level) 100km from Santa Cruz, in the east of the country, in a tropical climate.
For my first trip inside the country, in November, I was invited by a family living in Buenavista but originally from Sucre, to reach the highland regions of Sucre (2750m), Potosi (4000m) and the Salar de Uyuni (3650m). I enjoyed Sucre, a colonial city with white facades and baroque churches where Bolivia's independence was proclaimed in 1825. I attended a local dance performance at the theatre by groups coming from all over the country.
church and convent of San Felipe de Neri with pupils back from school.
With Don Luis and his son Nicolas.
In Potosi, I was in the highest city of the world that counts more than 100,000 inhabitants, where the Spanish and some locals made a fortune with silver mines (still in operation). I walked through the streets, enjoying one day of general strike; the streets were blocked, so the city had become a whole pedestrian area. No pollution, so enjoyable ! Although at high altitude, I managed to climb the mountain that borders the city, and came across miners and also, grace from Heaven, a statue of the Virgin of Beauraing (from Belgium)!
Potosi, at the top of the bell tower. Some exhibition of dances. La casa de moneda (currency house)
On the top of the hill, the Lord also takes some rest !
I did another eight hours of bus ride go and return (leaving at 5am and returning at midnight) to spend one day on the salt lake of Uyuni, the largest one in the world since it has more than ten thousand square kilometers. Once painfully exploited for its salt, it is now coveted by major multinationals for its lithium: 50% of the world's reserves are hidden there, but as it is the case for oil in many places in the world, there is little chance that the people will benefit from it... As a good tourist, I took memorable photos...
For my second trip at the end of December, I left, this time with our community, for the opposite direction, i.e. for the East of the country, the region called “Chiquitania”. It is famous for its churches built by the Jesuits who in the 17th and 18th centuries created the "Jesuit Reductions", villages where Christians lived in self-sufficiency, sharing land work and liturgical services. The region is also worth a visit for the beauty of its nature.
Jesuit church of San José and community selfie close to Roboré
For my third trip in January, I left again for the West, to La Paz with a stop in Cochabamba. I was received by a very welcoming family from the neocatechumenate movement and in La Paz, at the major seminary by the auxiliary bishop whose parents live in Buenavista. Cochabamba (cocha for the locals) is known for its mild climate, excellent food and its statue of Christ, the highest in the world (34m high)! Welcome by Papitoy Johny and Mamita Fanita, I met again Argentine friends, Juan and Salome. The city is pleasant, there are quite a few museums and the climate is up to its reputation.
Nice climate; good company and delicious food...
In La Paz, warmly received by the bishop, I enjoyed crossing the city by cable car (they have the largest network in the world, seven lines at the moment) and the ethnography museum is worth a visit. Sadly, there was no time to reach Titicaca Lake, maybe one day!
I enjoyed very much Bolivia, a magnificent country, but since it has the size of one million square kilometres (twice the size of France), I still have many places to discover! Perhaps in a near or distant future?
