The White City

Took a flight on Sunday from La Paz to the former capital city of Sucre.  It was a 45minute flight in a modern Boeing aircraft and the cost was $60.  Everthing went smoothly.  The Bolivian TSA confiscated my cork screw. In the USA I got through security with it.

We flew over the Altiplano.  It is a rugged and harsh landscape with an elevation that averages around 10k in elevation.  As we approached Sucre, some trees began to appear and the landscape looked slightly less harsh.

A quick cab ride to center city and to a very attractive hotel in city center ($40/night). The hotel used to be a 18th century home....what a home!  4 floors and a big central courtyard with a fountain, etc.  The breakfast was as good a breakfast as I ever had.  You sure can live well and cheap in Bolivia.

Sucre was the most desirable city in Bolivia by the Spanish because of its nearness to the silver mines and because of its very temperate weather.  They began to colonize the area in the 16th century with the 17th and 18th century being the height of its glory.  The city square is magnificant with a huge cathedral and public buildings.  Very impressive.  there are a number of churches in the downtown area.  Also there are some of the oldest colleges in the Americas.  Everything in the center city is white, thus the nick name of the White City.  The feeling is that you are in a European city and not a city in the poorest country in South America.

The city feels very different from La Paz.  The people appear to be more sophisticated in general, the streets are clean and the poverty doesnt appear to be as severe.  Saw very few women in the traditional indigenous dress: the long billowing skirt, the colorful wrap and the goofy hat.

Tour a few of the churches  and the wealth of the city in the 17th & 18th century is very apparent.  Much silver, many jewels and many quality paintings.  Some said that even the alters are solid silver.

Not too many tourists around so I am really getting a feel of the local society.   I did however, meet my second young couple who were finishing a one year trip around the world. they are from London, about 30yrs old, successful and enjoyable to talk with.

One side trip yesterday was to an old quarry on the edge of town.  Along a cliff face of white marble or limestone were hundreds of dinosaur footprints of different sizes. They were in very sharp relief and facinating to view.  The only trouble was that the bus that dropped us off (3 of us) didnt come back for well over an hour.  You only need 5minutes at most to view the footprints.

This morning I am off to Potosi which is the highest city in the world at over 13k feet.  Will take a bus and should only cost about $3 for a 100mile trip.  I could take a cab for $40 but that would not be fun.