Bolivia | FindPenguins

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Trip start
March 16, 2017
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Day 1
Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 1:06 PM
☀️ 6 °C
Altitude: 561 ft
United States Forest Park 39.76154, -89.5882539°45’42” N 89°35’18” W
Goodbye!
March 16, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
I said goodbye to Amelia & Tyler and made my way to Springfield where Elizabeth made me a yummy lunch before my shuttle arrived.
Denise DuttaAmelia will be a lot bigger in just two weeks! ... well, you might be too with all that great food you'll be eating ;)
3/16/17Reply
Guiselle HShe wouldn't be smiling so big if she really knew what was going on! Lol
3/16/17Reply
Elizabeth SomethingHaha aww she's like"OK bye mom see you in an hour right?" She's so sweet
3/16/17Reply
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Day 2
Friday, March 17, 2017 at 10:23 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 11,079 ft
Bolivia Achumani -16.53184, -68.0697916°31’55” S 68°4’11” W
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Street Vendor
March 17, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
We walked a couple blocks to a family who unloads their car full of produce. Papaya, potatoes, lettuce, apples, bananas, lemons...but all the Bolivian version!
Elizabeth Something Oooh! What about pacay?
3/17/17Reply
Traveler No pacay there pero quando find it, yo voy probar
3/18/17Reply
Elizabeth Something 👍
3/18/17Reply
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Day 2
Friday, March 17, 2017 at 12:12 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 11,083 ft
Bolivia Achumani -16.5318, -68.0696316°31’54” S 68°4’11” W
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Achumani
March 17, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
The architecture here is beautiful. Each house is unique and they design it so they aren't all square boxes. All the houses have a fence of stone, brick, or cement to keep it safe. There are also neighborhood watch men who set up a stall in the neighborhood and walk around the block whistling loudly to let robbers know he is around.
There is a mercado close by where there are many stalls of produce, meat, fish, & household things that cholitas sell. They pile the food high and pack in as much as possible in their little space. I also had my first saltena!Read more
Elizabeth Something Mmm yum!
3/17/17Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 4:04 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 10,886 ft
Bolivia Distrito policial zona sur -16.54323, -68.0798416°32’36” S 68°4’47” W
San Miguel & Family
March 18, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Today we took my first "trufi" or minibus to San Miguel which is just a busier part of La Paz than Achumani. There were many shops, malls, places to eat, & businesses. And cholitas too! You can find cholitas everywhere, usually selling whatever goods they are in the business of selling (flowers, food, clothing, toys, jewelry, etc).
We ate lunch at a Succre restaurant with Tio Josernersto. I had trout and tried some of mom & dad's lengua and chuno. We then took a taxi to Tia Charo's house where I met Tia Gloria. We played cards & talked while they ate lunch.Read more
Guiselle HLengua! 😜
3/18/17Reply
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Day 4
Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 6:15 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 11,083 ft
Bolivia Achumani -16.53167, -68.0699516°31’54” S 68°4’12” W
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Dia del Padre
March 19, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Today was Father's Day in Bolivia. It's tradition in La Paz to have saltenas for Father's Day, so Tia Mary bought three types! They were all delicious and very filling. We all left with our buttons popping because we were so full. Mariana was there with her family (husband Miguel & daughter Rebeca); Tere & her family (Igor & children Aron, Gabriel, and Alesya); and Enrique. We ate saltenas then watched old family videos. Then we went on the roof to enjoy the view. They plan to construct above their house a place for Mariana's family to live.Read more
Guiselle H This family picture is awesome! Thank you!
3/19/17Reply
Guiselle H She is beautiful:)
3/22/17Reply
Guiselle H Is that where they want to build Mariana's house? (Or Tere, i can't remember)
3/22/17Reply
Traveler Yes, that's on top of Tio Carlos' house where Mariana wants to build it. They already have the plans started.
3/23/17Reply
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Day 5
Monday, March 20, 2017 at 9:30 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 8,474 ft
Bolivia Cochabamba -17.3833, -66.1517°22’60” S 66°9’0” W
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Downtown La Paz
March 20, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We headed midmorning to "uptown" La Paz; they call it uptown because it's higher altitude than Achumani and other places. There must be millions of stores there, each with their own vendor that made the products. Then in the sidewalks are more people selling things. There are whole lanes just for yarn. Another lane just for beauty products. And multiple lanes for tourist things with Bolivia patterns on them. We ate at a very nice restaurant, some mash potatoes meat and dad had sacta. After our feet were worn, our eyes were rolling, and our pockets were empty, we headed back home. Later in the evening we went to a nice restaurant that sold solely silpancho - the size of the entire plate!Read more
Tyler Seader Based on the suit and cufflinks of the guy in the background, I presume you were under dressed?
3/21/17Reply
Traveler Oh yes we only go to the nice restaurants... Don't want to get a stomach infection!
3/21/17Reply
Guiselle H You need like 5 eggs to match up with that silpancho dish! I can't even see the rice 😂
3/21/17Reply
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Day 6
Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 1:56 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 8,448 ft
Bolivia Cochabamba -17.39134, -66.1567117°23’29” S 66°9’24” W
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Cochabamba 1
March 21, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Today we flew to Cochabamba! The weather is a nice 60—something degrees,with palm trees, & it's more laid back than La Paz. We walked around some shops and Dad showed me where he grew up & around his neighborhood. He also showed me how he has become the pigeon whisperer! We ate Pico Lo Macho and tried some new fruits. I saw this little boy who had finished eating a chocolate candy or ice-cream but was licking his hands and the wrapper for every last taste. At one point he had the whole wrapper in his mouth! The cholitas here dress in shorter skirts & sun hats.Read more
Elizabeth Something Awesome picture. You are quite the tourist. I was always embarrassed to take pictures of people, glad you did.
3/21/17Reply
Traveler Yeah, I just take it because if I ask then they cover their faces 😊
3/21/17Reply
Denise Dutta Is that sugar cane?
3/21/17Reply
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Day 6
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 8,448 ft
Bolivia Cochabamba -17.39134, -66.1567717°23’29” S 66°9’24” W
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Cochabamba 2
March 21, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Dad also showed me around his neighborhood. Where he grew up, where he would play with his toy cars, and where he once got lost. We also walked around one of the mercados that was partly indoors. Dad said it pretty much looks the same as it did long ago! That evening we went to Carmen's house to celebrate her birthday. I met Jackie (husband and his grandparents & kids Blanca, Brenda and Andreas), Gina, and Roxana was there too. We ate, talked, and celebrated til late. Dad and I walked back to the Hotel Felipez and we saw people practicing a dance.Read more
Elizabeth Something :) Is this where dad would play with his toy car?
3/23/17Reply
Traveler Yep it was a ledge that went all around the bank at the corner of the street where he lived. So as he walked along he would zoom his toy car along the edge.
3/23/17Reply
Elizabeth Something Haha that's so cool! That place has family history. Who knows what that tree or that random bench meant to our abuelito or someone else.
3/23/17Reply
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Day 7
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 8,448 ft
Bolivia Cochabamba -17.39133, -66.1567717°23’29” S 66°9’24” W
A Day of Adventures
March 22, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
From 8am to 8pm we were out sightseeing Cochabamba. We started the day by going to the beautiful temple. We did one session (in Spanish!) and also some sealings. We ate lunch on temple grounds. Then we took a taxi all the way to the Christ statue on top of the mountain. What a sight! Our leg muscles were shaking after the walk down all the steps. We saw several people walking (and some running) up the stairs...that's too crazy.
Our next stop was the Casa de Simon I. Patino which is dad's grandpa's cousin who became very rich from investing in mines.
Then we went to meet my great aunt Rosa & her husband. Her kids Roxana & Gina were there too. They are all so friendly & loving.
We made the walk home and saw Cochabamba come to life at night. It's a beautiful city that's warm and more relaxed than La Paz.Read more
Elizabeth SomethingNice:)! Thanks for sharing with us. Great aunt Gloria? Do you mean great aunt tia Rosa? Or no
3/23/17Reply
Guiselle HBeautiful temple!
3/23/17Reply
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Day 8
Thursday, March 23, 2017
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 8,438 ft
Bolivia Cochabamba -17.39222, -66.1511817°23’32” S 66°9’4” W
Goodbye Cochabamba
March 23, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We started the morning off by eating tojori (thick corn drink) & pastels (fried pastry with cheese inside and powdered sugar in top) at the mercado. We then went the "September 14 Plaza" where all the high-schools were gathered to march through the town for El Dia de Mar which is about getting access to the sea for Bolivia. In that plaza dad found some dulce de leche sweets that he used to eat when he was little - it was yummy! The cholitas in Cochabamba wear sun hats and shorter skirts since it's warmer.Read more
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Day 9
Friday, March 24, 2017
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 12,037 ft
Bolivia Villa Pabón -16.48909, -68.116516°29’21” S 68°6’59” W
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Sagarnaga
March 24, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Today we went around San Miguel where mom got her hair done and then we ate at a nice restaurant for lunch. After resting at the house for a bit mom & I went to Uptown La Paz again - the main street with the little shops is called Sagarnaga. We walked up and down the street looking for a shop that sold beautiful paintings... Finally we found it! I bought one from the painter and I'm excited to put it in my house! Mom & I then ate at a small restaurant that looked exactly like the house mom & dad lived in Cochabamba when they were first married, which was dad's grandma's house.
That night we went to Mariel's house (Willy's daughter) to eat Chinese food dinner.Read more
Elizabeth Something Oh no that white food I remember seeing it everywhere and it being on my plate everywhere...I didn't like it at all.. ha did you like it
3/25/17Reply
Denise DuttaAny chance you guys are gonna have time to go to Tiwanacu?
3/25/17Reply
Traveler It's the in thing right now. It was just okay - rice with cheese
3/25/17Reply
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Day 12
Monday, March 27, 2017 at 2:43 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 12,346 ft
Bolivia La Paz -16.5, -68.1516°30’0” S 68°9’0” W
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Ayoroa Reunion
March 27, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Mom and I went to a yummy crepe place to eat - same place Elizabeth went with dad & same place dad took mom... It's tradition now!
The Ayoroa family gathered for a lunch and to watch the 2000 family reunion. There were over 30 people there. It was great to get to know all the Ayoroa that are in the La Paz area.Read more
Elizabeth Something Haha cool. I ate right at the front "bar" first chair on the left ;) tradition haha
3/28/17Reply
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Day 12
Monday, March 27, 2017 at 2:48 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 12,346 ft
Bolivia La Paz -16.5, -68.1516°30’0” S 68°9’0” W
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Uribe Reunion
March 27, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
After church we ate lunch with all the Uribe family that is in the La Paz area. It was a fun atmosphere with lots of food. That night we took the Telefedico up to El Alto and drank strawberry & chocolate milk from a bag. Once the sun set we went back down in the Telefedico; it was impressive to see how large of a city La Paz is!Read more
Denise Dutta Hmmm I'm not recognizing faces here... you'll have to teach me :)
3/28/17Reply
Denise Dutta I bet it was so pretty to come down and see the city at night with all the city lights
3/28/17Reply
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Day 12
Monday, March 27, 2017 at 2:57 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 12,346 ft
Bolivia La Paz -16.5, -68.1516°30’0” S 68°9’0” W
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Tiawanaku
March 27, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Dad & I went with a tour group to the top of the mountain - Tiawanaku. They have only uncovered 10% of the ruins there. There were 3 main temples that we saw, including the sun gate. We also visited Pumapunku which was in the beginning stages of unearthing. It was interesting to speculate how they could have cut those stones with such precision.
On our way to the bus for the tour we saw the zebras were back! They are young volunteers who are very friendly, upbeat, and positive. They help people cross the street, especially little kids. They dance in the street, give high-fives, and wave traffic along.
That night Tia Charo's granddaughter took me to Copacabana to try Bolivian fried chicken. It tasted like fried chicken!Read more
Elizabeth SomethingWow! :) Fun. Can't wait to see you guys. Looks like you did pretty much everything I did (and more) in two months in two weeks! Impressive lol
3/27/17Reply
Denise Dutta Soo glad you went! I had a Mormon tour guide take me and show all the similarities with our gospel/ temples and how apostles have even predicted these were the jaradite people. Still one my very favorite places to go because it was such a testimony builder :) They have the solstice there in July and you party all night waiting for the first beams of sun to hit the palm of your hands for a prosperous year. Thats where I got pick pocketed 😑
3/28/17Reply
Denise Dutta Not pick pocketed.. My purse was cut open and they snatched things out.. while my hands were in the air waiting for the sun beams... so much for prosperity 😒 lol
3/28/17Reply
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Day 13
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 12,618 ft
Bolivia Estancia Khallapa -16.48931, -68.1008516°29’22” S 68°6’3” W
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Last Day in Bolivia
March 28, 2017 in Bolivia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Today we ate lunch with mom's cousin, Johnny, Tio Carlos, Tia Mary, Tia Bita, & Tia Aurora. He served papas a la huancaina & sajta. Then we stopped by the house I was born in, in Achumani. They have since painted the house yellow and added another top layer to the fence. Then one last picture of me with mom & dad with La Paz in the background.Read more
Guiselle H I love this picture 😊
4/5/17Reply
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Trip end
March 29, 2017