Bolivian life in Sucre

Yesterday I arrived in Sucre, the white city. It is located in a valley at approx. 2500 m altitude and has a beautiful colonial centre with walls painted white (hence the name). But there are also many houses with bare brick walls. Fernando, my host told me this is to save taxes because they are not 'finished'.

The weather up here is very pleasant - chilly nights and bright sunshine with temperatures around 25 degrees during daytime. This morning I started my Spanish classes. It's tiring but I do learn a lot in a short time. Also by speaking to Elizabeth and Fernando and their 4 sons, Fernando jr., Nicolas, Mattias and Elias. They are protestant. And I had always assumed that everybody is catholic in South-America. So much for my prejudices.

Bolivian family life as I experience it here is quite different to what I had expected. Maybe it's just Elizabeth and Fernando but their boys seem to do as they like most of the time. They are a very loving family but especially the little ones (Mattias is 5 and Elias 3 years old) seem to be quite a handfull. However, it's great to be part of a Bolivian family even when it's only for a week. I am very grateful for their warm welcome and hospitality and wouldn't have wanted to miss this experience.

Rachel, a young girl from the US, is also staying with the family for a couple of weeks. And then there is Zenobia, the indigenous housekeeper and nanny. Altogether a busy family :-)