Solitary Gringos
All is still quiet in Cochabamba. The U.S. government is pulling entirely out of Bolivia. The Embassy will be closed by Monday night. The DEA has left. The government works in 30 day increments, so they will reassess the situation every 30 days. ‘Tis a curious thought, that as Americans this is the first time since we’ve been here in Bolivia that we lack any actual U.S. presence. We are effectively on our own. The apparent lack of serious danger somehow does not reduce the slight ill-at-ease of that state of being.
Read MoreVisual Concept of Bolivian News
This map shows the nine departments of Bolivia. Each deparment has a prefect. This is superficially comparable to the American States and their governors. Four of the departments, those marked with a blue half moon, are referred to jointly as the Media Luna, or Half Moon. The Media Luna are currently in strong opposition to the current president, Evo Morales, and his political party, MAS — Movimiento al Socialismo, or Movement towards Socialism. Evo and the administrative capital of Bolivia are located in La Paz. Chuquisaca is the seat of Sucre,...
Read MoreCall for Prayer
Please keep this in mind: We know of at least one specific missionary family living in Tarija, which is a different department/state in Bolivia, and one which is experiencing active violence. We heard word from them today that they are trapped. They are currently safe in their home. However! In their region, all roads are blockaded. The airport is closed. They cannot leave. Please pray for their continued security and basic provisions.
Read MoreMessage from the U.S. Embassy
From: Consular, La Paz [mailto:ConsularLapaz@state.gov] Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 5:19 PM Subject: Warden Message — Civil Unrest — September 13, 2008 Dear Warden: Below please find a Warden Message from the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia. Please share this warden message with any U.S. citizens in Bolivia with whom you have contact. We hope this information is useful to you. If we may provide further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, American Citizen Services Unit U.S. Embassy La Paz, Bolivia WARDEN MESSAGE U.S....
Read MoreOur Status and Crisis Plans
Summary: Half of Bolivia is at war, but not our half. We don’t know whether it will spread. Bolivia is fully unpredictable. We’re staying for now. Issues: The Anti-Evo region is in violent protest, possibly even secession. They’re not doing it intelligently — so they have made enemies of Brazil and Argentina. MAS (Pro-Evo, simplistically) is possibly inciting further violence. Evo might send in military troops. Chavez has stated that if Evo is deposed, he will send in Venezuelan troops. Brazil and Argentina are siding with Evo because the...
Read MoreRambunctious and Nameless
If you’ve watched the videos of the last entry, then you might have noticed a very rambunctious little girl playing in the background. Normally I take the kids outside or to another room to play games, make crafts, and such, but having had tonsilitis for three weeks… well, games weren’t to be had. Eventually her mother brought her outside to the front porch where I played with her anyway until the service ended. I haven’t the foggiest idea what her name is; every time I’d ask her for her name, she’d just reply, “Photo!” A very camera-happy...
Read MoreAbout Lorien
I vote as a libertarian constitutionalist influenced by Hayek and Burke, and I think as an anarchist guided by the biblical principles of liberty. My government is strictly bound by the U.S. Constitution. I have fenced foil in a diaper-suit and run for political office in a skirt-suit, but my shoes were always fabulous. Both dreadful politics and inspiring design are likely to make me teary. and yes. I’m a tshirt ninja.
Find Lorien!