Okay, we are now in Chile, after our first-time visit to Bolivia. A lot has happened in the last couple days, and I thought it might be best so show it with a few pictures.
I'll give a caption under each picture to describe what it is - or give a potentially witty comment.
Above: Hey, shouldn't every restaurant have a three thousand pound cannon amongst the tables? I would personally not want it pointed at me. I think I would find it uncomfortable and difficult to enjoy my meal ... however, if you got a chunk of food stuck in your teeth, you could always flick it into the barrel of the cannon ... just sayin'
Above: Even though the elevation of La Paz, Bolivia is pretty much insane, their "rapid transit" system is a whole bunch of cable cars suspended over the city. Rather ingenious if you ask me. But the day we decided to explore the skyway it started raining, resulting in this picture of raindrops set against the city below.
So the clouds parted long enough to capture a view of the city as a cable car sped by. They move pretty fast, so I had to be on target with the photo. La Paz is completely built on hills, and did I mention that we were constantly out of breath? (okay, I suppose I did, but it's around 13,000 feet high)
The women of Bolivia wear the big traditional skirt thing, along with variety of hats. It's apparently a status symbol. We saw a few of them doing something like singing, with one of their fans watching.
Latin Americans of all nations love a party, or celebration, or fiesta - you name it and there's a bunch of people ready to have a good time together. Usually including a variety of loud fireworks and music well into the night (and okay, maybe a little drinking). This picture above shows a big crowd in the center of La Paz ... in between the rain showers.
This picture above is at the Catholic Monastery Cloister in the center of La Paz. It was a very beautiful, dignified, and solemn place (except for the noisy fiesta outside). It was started by the order of the Franciscans in 1632.
Among the many historical buildings in La Paz, this place was an aesthetically pleasing photo opportunity of the house of the revolutionary leader who helped Bolivia achieve independence from Spain in 1825. They were aided by Simon Bolivar, after whom the country is named.
The above picture was taken from our hotel room window. We are back at sea level, and you can see the bay behind the clock tower. We are in Valparaiso, right on the Pacific Ocean, and we can fill our lungs with the lovely abundant ocean air. Did I mention that people in Bolivia live way up in the clouds? Sorry ... It's sunny and warm here in Valpo!
What, another glam shoot? Just outside our hotel in Valparaiso, they were taking pictures of beautiful women, just like in Mexico ( Lovely woman in Mexico ). It's summer here and the flowers are out and it was a perfect day for photos.
Not far from our hotel is a wrought iron fence with a view of the city below. Love locks are a "thing". Many places have a location similar to this, where couples put a padlock in place - and throw away the key, to symbolize their unbroken love bond. Valparaiso is no exception.
We've actually been to Valparaiso before. In fact I think I might have referenced this statue before, it's one of my favorites. Indeed I have a new caption: "Come any closer bird and I shall chop you to bits with my sword!"
Among other things, Valparaiso is an artist colony like few others in the world. It seems like every available surface is covered with art, including this ten story building pictured above. I couldn't resist taking a picture. To me, it looks like the neck of a guitar ...
Some of the artwork is simply amazing. This animated wall art is about twenty five feet tall and extremely well done. What a great place to visit. We loved it so much the first time here that we came back.
--------------------------------------
And one final picture below: It's Fiona standing in front of a fantastic and intense wall painting with a vast array of images. She's just ever-so-slightly enchanted, and maybe even a little enthralled ....
I'll give a caption under each picture to describe what it is - or give a potentially witty comment.
Above: Hey, shouldn't every restaurant have a three thousand pound cannon amongst the tables? I would personally not want it pointed at me. I think I would find it uncomfortable and difficult to enjoy my meal ... however, if you got a chunk of food stuck in your teeth, you could always flick it into the barrel of the cannon ... just sayin'
So the above picture was taken in Valparaiso Chile, where we are tonight.
But let's get the chronology correct, and finish up our time in Bolivia:
Above: Even though the elevation of La Paz, Bolivia is pretty much insane, their "rapid transit" system is a whole bunch of cable cars suspended over the city. Rather ingenious if you ask me. But the day we decided to explore the skyway it started raining, resulting in this picture of raindrops set against the city below.
So the clouds parted long enough to capture a view of the city as a cable car sped by. They move pretty fast, so I had to be on target with the photo. La Paz is completely built on hills, and did I mention that we were constantly out of breath? (okay, I suppose I did, but it's around 13,000 feet high)
The women of Bolivia wear the big traditional skirt thing, along with variety of hats. It's apparently a status symbol. We saw a few of them doing something like singing, with one of their fans watching.
Latin Americans of all nations love a party, or celebration, or fiesta - you name it and there's a bunch of people ready to have a good time together. Usually including a variety of loud fireworks and music well into the night (and okay, maybe a little drinking). This picture above shows a big crowd in the center of La Paz ... in between the rain showers.
This picture above is at the Catholic Monastery Cloister in the center of La Paz. It was a very beautiful, dignified, and solemn place (except for the noisy fiesta outside). It was started by the order of the Franciscans in 1632.
Among the many historical buildings in La Paz, this place was an aesthetically pleasing photo opportunity of the house of the revolutionary leader who helped Bolivia achieve independence from Spain in 1825. They were aided by Simon Bolivar, after whom the country is named.
Okay, on to Chile!
The above picture was taken from our hotel room window. We are back at sea level, and you can see the bay behind the clock tower. We are in Valparaiso, right on the Pacific Ocean, and we can fill our lungs with the lovely abundant ocean air. Did I mention that people in Bolivia live way up in the clouds? Sorry ... It's sunny and warm here in Valpo!
What, another glam shoot? Just outside our hotel in Valparaiso, they were taking pictures of beautiful women, just like in Mexico ( Lovely woman in Mexico ). It's summer here and the flowers are out and it was a perfect day for photos.
Not far from our hotel is a wrought iron fence with a view of the city below. Love locks are a "thing". Many places have a location similar to this, where couples put a padlock in place - and throw away the key, to symbolize their unbroken love bond. Valparaiso is no exception.
We've actually been to Valparaiso before. In fact I think I might have referenced this statue before, it's one of my favorites. Indeed I have a new caption: "Come any closer bird and I shall chop you to bits with my sword!"
Among other things, Valparaiso is an artist colony like few others in the world. It seems like every available surface is covered with art, including this ten story building pictured above. I couldn't resist taking a picture. To me, it looks like the neck of a guitar ...
Some of the artwork is simply amazing. This animated wall art is about twenty five feet tall and extremely well done. What a great place to visit. We loved it so much the first time here that we came back.
--------------------------------------
And one final picture below: It's Fiona standing in front of a fantastic and intense wall painting with a vast array of images. She's just ever-so-slightly enchanted, and maybe even a little enthralled ....
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