Still more Random Observations in Bolivia
-After trying it a few times, I must (still) admit that lama meat is tasty! And no, it doesn't taste anything like chicken. More like ham, only lighter.
-This is filed under the archives of not-so-genius Bolivian engineering. I have already mentioned the river, aka the sewer in these parts. To accomplish a couple of minor modifications that would prevent the river from flooding, the city of La Paz built a little hut that would enable construction workers easier access to the river and plug in the gaps as needed. A good idea, considering the rainy season is just around the season. What is not so good is the fact that this hut was built at an intersection, meaning now two directions are completely blocked by the hut's construction, thus becoming a deathtrap. Of course, a one hundred dollar mirror that would enable drivers to see who is coming from which direction could do wonders, but shucks, there's just no money for that.
-I'm amazed at how cheap carpenters and technicians are in this country. This is, clearly, still a fix-it society unlike in the west, where a simple bad breath touching the product demands you replace or destroy it altogether.
-Most popular costume during Halloween: Evo! El Presidente here won by a wide margin, which wasn't hard, considering his head was blown up fivefold to go along with his wig-like hair.
-I have yet to find a taxi in this town with a meter. I suppose that would unnecessarily cut into the driver's profits. That, and his ability to rip off the passenger at will.
-So an earthquake in northern Chile followed by an earthquake in southern Peru? Doesn't mean it's zeroing in on us, does it? Knock on the heaviest and sturdiest wood on earth.
-Nothing good can come out of a foreign government program that stipulates that over 500 program vehicles be turned over to the Government of Bolivia within a few years. With no foreigners to fund the vehicles, expect Bolivia to build the largest car junkyard in its history.
-Bolivia's soccer team is the worst in South America, or so it would appear. With four games in for World Cup qualifying, they have garnered a pitiful three points out of four matches played. Looks like they will have to root for the European team of their choice again when neighboring Brazil hosts in 2014.
-No sign of OWS (Occupy Wall Street) in any form here. People (guys from the transportation union, in particular) are too busy occupying the airports, bus stations, and oil refineries for that.
-Per capita, this country probably has more classic cars (25 years or older) than the United States. There are old cars in La Paz you never knew existed. And yes, people are definitely trying to make money off them…by using them as their work vehicles.
-If I were to guess which language my kids knew best at this point (English, German, Spanish), my money would be on Spanish. They very rarely speak anything but Spanish to each other.
-This is filed under the archives of not-so-genius Bolivian engineering. I have already mentioned the river, aka the sewer in these parts. To accomplish a couple of minor modifications that would prevent the river from flooding, the city of La Paz built a little hut that would enable construction workers easier access to the river and plug in the gaps as needed. A good idea, considering the rainy season is just around the season. What is not so good is the fact that this hut was built at an intersection, meaning now two directions are completely blocked by the hut's construction, thus becoming a deathtrap. Of course, a one hundred dollar mirror that would enable drivers to see who is coming from which direction could do wonders, but shucks, there's just no money for that.
-I'm amazed at how cheap carpenters and technicians are in this country. This is, clearly, still a fix-it society unlike in the west, where a simple bad breath touching the product demands you replace or destroy it altogether.
-Most popular costume during Halloween: Evo! El Presidente here won by a wide margin, which wasn't hard, considering his head was blown up fivefold to go along with his wig-like hair.
-I have yet to find a taxi in this town with a meter. I suppose that would unnecessarily cut into the driver's profits. That, and his ability to rip off the passenger at will.
-So an earthquake in northern Chile followed by an earthquake in southern Peru? Doesn't mean it's zeroing in on us, does it? Knock on the heaviest and sturdiest wood on earth.
-Nothing good can come out of a foreign government program that stipulates that over 500 program vehicles be turned over to the Government of Bolivia within a few years. With no foreigners to fund the vehicles, expect Bolivia to build the largest car junkyard in its history.
-Bolivia's soccer team is the worst in South America, or so it would appear. With four games in for World Cup qualifying, they have garnered a pitiful three points out of four matches played. Looks like they will have to root for the European team of their choice again when neighboring Brazil hosts in 2014.
-No sign of OWS (Occupy Wall Street) in any form here. People (guys from the transportation union, in particular) are too busy occupying the airports, bus stations, and oil refineries for that.
-Per capita, this country probably has more classic cars (25 years or older) than the United States. There are old cars in La Paz you never knew existed. And yes, people are definitely trying to make money off them…by using them as their work vehicles.
-If I were to guess which language my kids knew best at this point (English, German, Spanish), my money would be on Spanish. They very rarely speak anything but Spanish to each other.
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