The Colca Valley is a green ribbon surrounded by high
volcanic mountains, with villages, farms, and huge agricultural terraces carved
into the hillsides.
Many of these terraces were built by pre-Inca peoples and many are still farmed today.
It sits at about 2,335 metres (7,660 feet) above sea level and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes.
It is often called the “White City” because many of its historic buildings are made from white sillar, a pale volcanic stone created from eruptions of the volcanoes.
The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, large plazas, and churches.
In Bolivia it can carry a lot of meaning beyond just
appearance.
The traditional clothing worn by many Indigenous women in
Bolivia, especially Aymara and Quechua women, is a visible statement of Bolivian
culture.
The outfit has the traditional basics, and then, each woman adds her own personal touch.
Not all the women wore the traditional clothing, but those that did, wore it with pride.
Originally, Sucre was Bolivia's sole capital and the center
of political power.
However, as the country's economy shifted from the silver
mines around Sucre to the booming tin industry centered near La Paz, La Paz
became more economically and politically influential.
So now, Sucre is the constitutional and official
capital, where the Supreme Court is located.
La Paz is the seat of government (administrative capital), where the executive and legislative branches operate.
The discovery of silver at Cerro Rico in the 1500s helped
make the Spanish Empire enormously wealthy.
It also turned the city of Potosí, Bolivia, into one of the
largest and richest cities in the world.
Many of Bolivia’s mines are located high in the Andes at
elevations above 3,650 m (12,000 feet).
Mining co-operatives are where groups of miners operate mines collectively, sharing costs, equipment and profits among members.
Co-operatives employ a large share of Bolivia's miners.
We toured one of Bolivia’s co-operative mines in Potosí.
It was formed thousands of years ago when several
prehistoric lakes evaporated, leaving behind a huge crust of salt.
During the rainy season, December through May, a thin layer of water transforms the flats into one of the world's largest natural mirrors.
We were there the beginning of April on a perfect sunny day.
It is part of the same Andean high-altitude (altiplano) region as Chile's Atacama Desert, with elevations of roughly 4,000–6,000 meters (13,000–20,000 feet).
The National Reserve, surrounded by volcanoes and deserts, is a protected area in the remote southwest corner of Bolivia near the borders with Chile and Argentina.
The reserve was established in 1973 to protect endangered wildlife such as vicuñas and Andean flamingos.
Stretching along northern Chile, it lies between the Pacific
Ocean and the Andes Mountains.
Parts of the desert are so barren that scientists use the area
to simulate conditions on Mars.
To really explore the area we based ourselves in the little town of San Pedro de
Atacama for 4 nights.
Many of the local women embraced the idea, opening restaurants that serve local cuisine using only solar power to cook their meals.
In Chile, it is Pisco, a traditional grape brandy that has been made for centuries in the northern regions of Chile.
It’s considered Chile’s national spirit and Chile legally protects pisco as a national product.
This means it can only be produced in certain regions of the country, similar to how Champagne is protected in France.
Of course, we had to go check it out, for educational reasons.
Photo: April 15, 2022
(I receive no compensation from anyone for these opinions)
Linda and I have been travelling for 4 years now. Here is a summary of all the "little things" we've learned that might make your travel easier.
I find them intriguing and thought provoking while I look for the
stories within the stories.
And I also really like when the old and new buildings are
side by side comparing how craftsmanship, styles and details have changed.
So this is a post on random buildings in Santiago – the old
and the new.
But more emphasis on the the old.
The neighbourhood was established in 1839 to celebrate Chile’s victory in the Battle of Yungay.
It was also one of the first planned residential
neighborhoods for Santiago’s elite.
Over time it transitioned into a mixed working and
middle-class area.
Today, it’s a Bohemian neighbourhood recognized as a “Zona Típica” (heritage
district), preserving its historical character.
We chose it as a destination for a Sunday walk and created our own self-guided walking tour of discovery.
The entrance to the Mercado Central de Santiago isn't too exciting.
But, inside it is a beautiful building.
It was built between 1869 and 1872 to replace an older
market that had been destroyed by fire.
Interestingly, it was designed by a Chilean architect, manufactured
in Scotland and then shipped in pieces to Chile.
In 1984 it was declared a National Monument.
And another Claim to Fame: National Geographic has ranked it among the top food markets in the world.
And then there are those that are nondiscriminatory and like
them all. Or, don’t like any.
Chile is better known for red wine, but, there are also areas where the climate and soil are better suited to grapes for white wines.
The Maipo Valley and the Casablanca Valley are two important wine regions in Chile, but they produce different styles of wine because of their different climates and soils.
