Bolivia

In 2016, It took me about 4 weeks to get a visa for Bolivia, which I found curious, not realizing that US-Bolivia relations were strained. Here’s why they are; Evo Morales, Bolivia’s current president, started his career as a coca (cocaine) farmer, later rising to the head of the Coca Union. He later became a congressman and was instrumental in outing the US supported president of the country, who was the protagonist of the Sandra Bullock movie, “Our Brand is Crisis”. After the 2003 “War on Grass”, Evo rose to power and is currently serving his 3rd term. He petitioned the country to allow him amend the constitution, but he suffered narrow defeat due to an influence peddling scandal involving an ex-lover.

During the US war on drugs, the DEA tried to eliminate coca supplies and attempted to overthrow Morales. Even though Bolivians don’t like to admit their president was a drug trafficker, countries generally don’t take kindly when the US tries to impose regime change for its own purposes.

Before traveling to La Paz make sure you take Diamox for altitude sickness. The airport outside of Alto Plano is the world’s highest at +14,500 ft. Pilots flying into LPL require special training and planes need special brakes to adjust to the lack of oxygen. If you arrive thinking you’ll “adjust” or “deal” with the altitude you’ll be incredibly sorry. Even though I had begun taking Diamox two days before arriving, I still felt light headed upon arrival. Coca tea and soroche can help … but they’re no substitute for Diamox.

Many travelers go to the Copacabana area of Lake Titicaca but I instead chose to go to Guajataca. We took a hydrofoil (gifted by the Americans to Russia) across the river to a small indigenous community. Afterwards, I learned Yampan boat making skills and spoke at length with the community’s medicine man (witch doctors). Afterwards, we drove to the twice-weekly market in Alto Plano, which only mildly interesting as 90% of the items were US second-hand imports. Taking La Paz’s new sky cars across the city was an excellent way to see the entirety of La Paz.

Spent a day with the Broyles family who lead HOPE in Bolivia. Kevin, a retired Duke physician and his wife Noelle, who was a nurse, sold all their belongings in North Carolina and moved to Bolivia to serve the poorest country in South America. Kevin runs a clinic for wealthy Bolivians and, with the profits generated, they serve La Paz’s orphanages and the children’s hospital by providing food and clothing to the city’s poorest.

United Kingdom

Jim & Kenan in Stonehenge Jim & Kenan on a city tour of London, 2014 Have been to the UK many, many times. First was in college, in 1986. The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Its official name is “The...

Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands is also known as Isla Malvinas, the islands is a territory of the UK and is home to 2,931 Falkland Islanders (2016). The official language is English. The capital of Falkland Islands is Stanley. The majority of Falkland Islanders practice...

Syria

Country Information: Syria is officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic. The capital is Damascus and the official language is Arabic. About 18 million people live here (as of 2021) though many refugees are leaving the country. The largest religion is Sunni Islam,...