Virgen de Urkupiña - Quillacollo, Bolivia

An amazing Carnaval-esque pilgrimage full of colorful costumes, music and dancing that brings folks from all over.

The Death Road

"El mas barrato, por favor." The cheapest one, please. After I said it, I realized my response to which level of bike I wanted for our trip down "The World's Most Dangerous Road" probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever said. Oh well, what's the worst that could happen on the road also known as "The Death Road"?

This road, so named for the 100 or so folks that fall to their deaths here annually, has become famous among visitors to Bolivia and one of the "must-dos" on a visit to La Paz. Nobody died in our group (three backpackers have ended their trips here this year), but it was easy to see how this road has become so (in)famous. It was absolutely nuts (and a complete blast) in many places.

(Many of these photos need a closer look to get the full effect - ie.- the shot of the van driving above the area where two other trucks/buses have slid down the mountain)

La Colonia - A truly amazing place

Thirty kids. All the time. Another 100 during the day. This is the life that Kiko & Carmen have chosen. Thirteen years ago, this incredible couple began what is now way more than a full time job. The children are either abandoned or had such a dire circumstances at home that they have come to La Colonia for a better life. Food, a bed, focus on schoolwork, love. All of this and more is what these kids receive here. This is not an institution, it is a home. And for Kiko and Carmen, it is not a job, it is their family.




I`ve been lucky enough to spend the last month here helping out in any way I can. Mostly I`ve been playing with the kids or helping with their homework, but have also helped build a climbing wall, marched with them in an independence day parade and helped make dinner for 40 people. Without question, working at La Colonia has been a highlight of my trip to South America and something I will never forget.

(Post Script - Leaving the Colonia on Friday was also the hardest thing I`ve done on this trip. Its a tradition when any volunteer leaves for everyone to gather around and some of the kids offer to say a few words of thanks and give us cards they have made. One of the older girls started to talk but had to stop because she started crying. It would have been hard enough for me to say goodbye to my new friends in English, but trying it in a new language with a lump in my throat was nearly impossible.)