SUCRE, BOLIVIA

Sucre, official capital of the country, is located at lower altitude than most Bolivian cities making the climate much more pleasant. This was a relief after spending a couple of bone chilling nights in the country's south where five alpaca blankets are barely enough to keep warm. The hostal we stayed at Dolce Vita, was warm enough, quite nice, and  good value for the price but the two Swiss owners made the atmosphere a bit too serious and austere.

We were in "luck" since it was carnival time which in Bolivia means getting soaked with water, all day long. For the entire week, people of all ages roam the streets throwing water balloons at anyone in range while marching bands walk the downtown streets playing traditional music. After a week of hearing the same two songs over and over again and being bombarded with water, it really takes its toll on you.

We took Spanish lessons at Sucre Spanish School but were rather disappointed with the results. A lack of course planning and a teacher that kept saying our Spanish was good enough meant that we didn't learn much that week. We concluded that we might be at the point where getting tutored privately in a conversational setting might be more effective.

Nevertheless, Sucre is one of the most beautiful places we've encountered so far. Taking the steep walk up to the Cafe Mirador for the sunsets and catching the spectacular view of the city is arduous but worth it, just as is spending time in the city's many beautiful parks and plazas surrounded by glorious colonial architecture.