Carnival

A wild (orgy) 3 day celebration (Feb 14-16), 40 days before Easter. It starts with a parade on Saturday night and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday after which one is supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures. Carnival with all its excesses, celebrates as a profane event, can be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. They put on mask or cover their faces so that God will not know who they are as they committ these pagan acts. Along with these pagan acts they throw water ballons filled with ink or paint at people and vehicles. The also paint a lot of grattie on buildings.The most births in Bolivia take place nine months from now. Here are a few pictures. Anyway it is a holiday with no school.

Samaipata

Debie and I were fortunate to get away from Santa Cruz. We went out into the country to a city name Samaipata. It was about a 3 hour bus ride from Santa Cruz. We went with two other families. There were 16 in all that made the trip. We all stayed at a resort called Cabanas de Traudi. We were fortunate to all stay in the same building. There were 7 bedrooms with adequate showers and bathrooms. A large dining area with a furnished kitchen. The temperature at Samaipata was cooler because we were much higher above sea level than at Santa Cruz. Below is a place we visited while at Samaipata. It was called Fuerte. An area in the mountains. We traveled a long winding road to about 5,000 feet. These were old Inca ruins. It was very interesting.

While at Samaipata we went to Cuevas, a park which has some beautiful waterfalls. We have pictures of one but there were others further back in the park. It would take a hike through the woods which we didn't take.



These are pictures were taken in the country on the to way to Samaipata. The country side is beautiful.

Christmas Decorations

These are some photos of decorations in Santa Cruz Bolivia. They are all made with plastic bottles. Enjoy.