Yesterday I bought an authentic Bolivian guitar here in La Paz and so I wanted to first share a few pictures of it (above)
And also, just a quick observation that I've found interesting so far is that warnings that Bolivians disapprove of the United States and it's people have been pretty much entirely untrue. Ever since Evo Morales has taken office the governments of Bolivia and the US have not gotten along well, however I've not once noticed any hostility towards Americans from the citizens of La Paz since I've been here. In fact, when the Bolivians I've interacted with so far (from taxi drivers to doctors to young patients of all socioeconomic backgrounds) have found out that I'm from the US, they've reacted with "how beutiful!" or "I hear it's wonderful" or "I would love to travel there some day". While I definitely don't think one can take these statements so far as to say that Bolvians love Americans, are jealous of America, or would trade their culture for ours, so far it has at least meant that there isn't an overwhelming sense of hostility towards the States and its people. Of course, I've only been in La Paz (a very industrialized, developed city) and haven't yet interacted much with the more rural, indigenous people of Bolivia (who come from Aymara or Quechua backgrounds).
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