Political machinations in the White City
Trip Start
Nov 01, 2006
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164
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Trip End
Oct 31, 2007
Sucre, Bolivia
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
We're loving it here, and not merely because it enables me to tick off another World Heritage site in South America. It's a delightful temperature; as close as we've yet had to an English summer, mainly because - unlike Potosi - it's at a much more reasonable altitude (around 2,700m). There's also a level of sophistication and wealth here that was absent in Potosi which makes for a more pleasant stay (not to mention at least 3 shops selling chocolates - which has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that we're staying a day extra than originally planned)
01 Sucre market; a veggie´s heaven
.One thing we've noticed - other than all the lovely white buildings - is how political the people are here. There are rallies in the streets virtually around every corner. This morning, as part of our tour round the Casa de Libertad - which incidentally was given by the same nice chap whose private tour we hijacked in Potosi - we learned that there is a lot of unrest being caused over the drafting of the new Bolivian constitution. Currently there are two capitals in Bolivia: La Paz (the seat of government) and Sucre (the seat of the judiciary). It's feared, among other things, that the new constitution might grant full capital status to La Paz; something that would have a profound economic effect on Sucre (for one thing they'd be left having to rely on sad, box-ticking tourists like me just after another UNESCO stamp. Damn, I said it again! Sorry.)
We are (rather selfishly) hoping that the demonstrations don't have any impact on us. Closure of the chocolate shops would, obviously, be a severe blow. However, the demonstrations we've seen so far appear to be being held in pretty good spirits - lots of long-haired student types moving benches into the middle of the road to block traffic, sitting on said benches for a while and then moving on to another location. (There are two universities here, so that's lots of long-haired student types and plenty of scope for bench moving). Anyway, we'll stay another day - making the most of the lovely market here and the chance for some good homecooking - and hope the protesters have no objection to our moving on to Uyuni on Friday... (T)
Comments
From one World Heritage Site to another
Just thought you should know, you´re not the only ones in a South American World Heritage city, I am currently in Arequipa, Peru, which I believe is also World Heritage, unless I am much mistaken, and very beautiful it is too. And then I´m off to another World Heritage site, Machu Pichu, and then when I go home, I will have yet another World Heritage site on my doorstep - Aquae Sulis (otherwise known as Bath). Have fun in Bolivia! Adios Amigos! Nic xxx(I just hope your Spanish is better than mine!)