Festive season in Bolivia

Globos

So what have I been up to since concluding my responsibilities as a middle manager? The short answer is I have been throwing water balloons. In transit to a new abode Sarah and my eyes were as big as saucers looking at all of the people, young and old, who had taken to the streets to throw globos, buckets of water and shoot water pistols or garden hoses. On major streets there were dozens and dozens of chico's in a relentless skirmish with an equal number on the opposite side. Water projectiles flying continuously. But not only that. Small mobs also haunted the back streets of suburbs and the streets of the inner city while pick-ups and other kinds of flatbed trucks toured the city saturating anyone who comes into view (not unlike an innocuous re-enactment of The Road Warrior). It was all-out (water) war.

In this environment it is difficult to not start participating yourself. Late on Sunday afternoon, the day after the Oruro Carnival, a group of dudes (pictured below) stopped in a pick-up across from the hostel we were at. Having been saturated on numerous occasions (while taking care of simple, quotidian business no less) we finally got with the programme and bought some of our own water balloons. My initial attempt to ambush them was a waste of time and soon it was three against one (though with me in the more desirable, elevated, position).

Now with some experience up my sleeve I look forward to the weekend in Cochabamba where Cochabambino’s have their festival. It will be more of the same.

Oruro Carnival

Oruro Carnival is the kind of thing you read a lot about before you come to Bolivia. In this respect I must admit I was not expecting much (cf. touring the Uyuni salt plains). This curmudgeon perspective was completely unfounded. The Carnival itself is simply brilliant and Sarah and I were incredibly lucky to have attended in 2010. The parade is every bit as spectacular as the guide books suggest.

As fate would have it when we went to book our Spanish lessons through Sustainable Bolivia the director there graciously offered us the opportunity to go with their group. Thank you very much Eric. We got a place to stay and a great stand for a painless 300 Bolivianos.

In fact the only painful part of the carnival was when I almost flaked out in the morning of Carnival. My eyes rolled back in my head, the whole bit. That morning I had only one beer and a bowl of muesli so the cause is difficult to diagnose. Sarah, of course, came to my rescue and nursed me through the midday and I was back on board by the afternoon. Not before projectile vomiting twice in a random Oruro street and sleeping for over an hour, though.

Having now been I cannot recommend this experience enough. Being amongst the colour, noise, energy, spectacle and fun. The dancers with amazing costumes (masks, props, fireworks, cranial flamethrowers, fuzzy “bear” suits) and their joy in performing. Everyone in the middle of a perpetual water fight, the beautiful day, drinking beer and enjoying the company of a new group of very amiable people. This will be a highlight for the year, no question.