Christmas in Samipata

Went up another big Jesus in Cochabamba. It wasn’t as impressive as San Cristobel, by far. But we did get to walk up the inside of it.

A trip to Samipata was in order Christmas time. It is a lovely quiet (and very beautiful) place with a population of 3000, but with everything you could really need. A fantastic market with all the essentials, pharmacy, restaurants and even a karaoke bar. Our first hotel was run by an interesting Dutch character. Pretty grumpy and convinced we were going to cause trouble from the minute we arrived. Not only that, but he is one of those people who think they are ecologically high and mighty. Although, in reality, their knowledge is limited... and he smokes.... such an unpolluting act :l

Christmas day contained an early morning wake and a bunch of chocolate from Spike (Him, Dave and I made a consumables only deal for gifts). It included pretzel M&M’s, which were similar to crunchy ones, but have the salty/sweetness of chocolate covered pretzels. Delish.

We had a BBQ in a park on Christmas afternoon. We borrowed a grill from where we have been staying and brought some carbon. It was good fun. Made it feel a bit more like Christmas and made the food that much more tasty as it was a long process to get to eating! An old lady came past while the boys were trying to get the coals started and she started collected sticks for us, it was really cute.

I tried to call mum on Christmas eve (NZ xmas), the line was really bad though. She was surprised I think, which was nice. Another frustrating fact of Bolivia. But it is worth it to be out of the city and in Samipata. I haven’t heard from Dad and Lisa is a while, hopefully they are getting my emails.

Spike also got a bunch of fireworks, as this town has gone crazy for them. Apparently they are for sale up until the new year. I brought him a few for Christmas. It was fun trying to ask the kids helping sell them about what the different ones did. Especially a little roster one with the fuse out its bum...a little boy made some impressive sound effects to explain this one to me. There was one really awesome rocket. By far the best home firework I have ever seen. Awesome explosion.