Comments on: Malegria In La Paz

By: The Invisibles | Correr Es Mi Destino

The Invisibles | Correr Es Mi Destino — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:57:42 +0000

[…] be less painful under the sun”. It sounds so true to me. I saw the ugliest side of poverty in Bolivia: it was cold, the streets were dirty and looking at the kids in rag playing in piles of garbage […]

By: Max Coutinho

Max Coutinho — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:18:35 +0000

Hi Zhu,

Oh what a stressing trip, girl!
Demonstrations follow you LOL…but it’s good, people are exercising their right to protest.

An old man urinating behind you? Just like that? Man.….
Like we would say in Portuguese: Eca!!!!! (to express disgust)

I don’t think it is a cultural shock…you are depicting Bolivia just fine *nodding*. Squalor seems to be catching up with the population and that is why they can’t smile and be nice.

Bolivia is going through a tough political moment, with its lefty president nationalising companies…there is nothing to laugh about, we all know where it will lead.

Anyway, liked the pics…and let me tell you: you are brave, mon amie !

What’s next?

By: Gail at Large

Gail at Large — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:49:50 +0000

I have to admit, when I read of places like this, I want to visit them even more. After a great deal of researching, first.

By: Feng

Feng — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:05:37 +0000

I think I need to travel a bit as well. Get rid of the musty feeling around my head. I’m jealous.

By: sir jorge

sir jorge — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:43:49 +0000

wow, it’s a night and day difference between Metropolitan America and Bolivia. Great photos…I wish i wasn’t in a cubicle.

By: Deadpoolite

Deadpoolite — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:17:12 +0000

I have to admit I am allergic to travel posts. It is a testimony to my madness and you writing skills that I can actually read one once in a while and even comment on that:).

As far as the man taking a leak is concerned I have to say as a fellow man that:” When you have to go, you HAVE to go!” so all points to him for originality:).

I guess car washes are extinct in Bolivia then…:).

Take care and keep the fun reporting from your trip!

By: shionge

shionge — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:03:15 +0000

Hey I hope despite all the travelling you are still having an amazing time. This is definitely a chance of a life time…when are you going back?

By: Sidney

Sidney — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:31:47 +0000

Hahahaha… there are things that never change… as I told you I did approximately the same trip 30 years ago… and I recognize everything you said
One morning I boarded the bus from Peru to La Paz. To be sure to have a seat in the bus I went there early… but once the bus opened its door it was a mad rush and of course I didn’t managed to get seated… so for hours I had to stand. Till someone left the bus… At the border between Peru and Bolivia I was the only one required to step out of the bus because I was the only foreigner and the police asked me to register my passport in a book. When I stepped back inside the bus my seat was taken by a Bolivian woman and five chickens… so I had to stand up again for the rest of the journey…
But I enjoyed La Paz… especially the market where those old ladies are selling those herbs, potions and magical stones…
Hehehe…and I was a “gringo” throughout my journey because I didn’t know a word of Spanish at that time…
I could write a book about my adventures in Peru and Bolivia…

By: Zhu

Zhu — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:47:23 +0000

@Larry Gambone — It is probably bitterness indeed, and the country has a tough history. I found Perú improved a lot (last time I was there was 7 years ago), and of course, Chile is much more modern. Going to Bolivia is quite a contrast. I can´t even imagine what the people went through… But I like Morales, and I hope it will improve.

@Tulsa Gentleman — I saw the movie The Che seems to be much more popular in Mexico actually, I barely see any picture etc. him for some reason. Maybe in Argentina.

@Nora — Yes, this is exactly how I felt! And I was very surprised, given that we usually have no problem communicating with locals, either in Central or South America. I do belive it´s a mixte of a tough history and maybe the highlands… life is hard in Bolivia and it broke my heart to see poverty like that. This is a harsh country weather/ geography wise too, even though it´s beautiful. Thanks for sharing your experience, makes me feel less loney in my Bolivian experience!

By: Nora

Nora — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:45:19 +0000

Zhu, I was in La Paz some 10 years ago and I recognized my memories in your words. Eventhough I’m from Argentina, not far away (talking about geography and development level) but it was a shock for me too and I had the same communication problem! being Spanish my mother tongue. I found quite difficult to make eye-contact with them, I didn’t know if it’s a matter of respect, fear or what. At the moment, a girl from La Paz is working for us in our house (Barcelona) and she has the same sad eyes…