Note to Bolivia

For the last two weeks water fights have been going on throughout Bolivia in the lead up to Carnival.   Stalls have popped up everywhere selling pre-made balloons, water pistols and any other device that could get someone wet.  The lines of battle are simply drawn by gender.  Girls throw at boys, boys throw at girls; ladies throw at men, men throw at ladies.

Balloon anyone?

There is a second battle of course…gringos.  I think getting a gringo wet gives you bonus street cred in this part of the world.   Here in Cochabamba they are incredibly covert in their gringo-hitting-missions.  I have literally been hit on a deserted street and have no idea where the balloon came from.  It’s always a shock being hit but I’m committed to remaining humourous about it (even when one felt like it had winded me on my back, Bevan told me you can’t get winded from behind – I don’t believe him).  

Got me!

Sunday’s in Bolivia are usually pretty quiet and me and Beavs were quietly walking the streets when an open top army truck full of kids drove past.  One of them spotted us and then literally 20 kids’ hands were lifted to reveal colourful balloons.  These were of course hurled at us.  They got us good.  And they thought it was hilarious.  It was hilarious.

But we are told this is just the warm up…this weekend is the major celebration for Carnival.  Oruro hosts the biggest celebration and luckily we’ve managed to hook up a bus and some seats for the parade leaving on Friday for a couple of nights. Oruro here we come…please be kind!