My experience so far on this trip has been amazing and continues to surpass my wildest expectations. Bolivia is no different. It is a wonderful country. La Paz, the capital, is the world’s highest capital city at 12,000 ft. above sea level. Even still, the city sits in a valley surrounded by even higher mountain peaks of the Andes, making for a the most amazing view. Walking around town was a bit difficult at first, due to the change in oxygen levels at that elevation, but well worth it after adjusting. The diverse influences have left their mark throughout time and the architecture of the city speaks volumes. At times I was reminded of being in Spain, while at other times it felt like I was in the USA or Switzerland.
I found the people of Bolivia to be very welcoming, friendly, open-minded, educated and knowledgeable. It was a great treat to witness the local cultural traditions, especially while walking in the outdoor markets. From the indigenous traditionally bright and colorful dresses that Andean women wear to the unlimited amount of tropical fruit available to buy from all over South America, I enjoyed the brief immersion during my visit.
The media coverage was eventually excellent, though initially they had reservations about Kosova’s independence. Within Bolivia, the region of Santa Cruz (one of the wealthier regions of the area) has been trying to gain independence from the rest of the country, which has caused a bit of resistance. Additionally, Kosova’s issue is well known in Bolivia, however most of information available is from the 1990’s, which were darker times for our people.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was really welcoming, despite my unexpected visit. Unfortunately, due to the lack of contact from our government, the position of Kosovo’s independence had not yet been brought to their attention. But I did get some confirmation that they will do everything within their power to bring the issue up to their higher chain of command.
