The traffic here is insane. Cars play a game of chicken with one another at the intersections. There is no order, no reason to the streets. I have been frustrated that my license has been delayed in getting here, but it should prove to be a good thing as I am learning how to negotiate these streets from the passenger side before I get behind the wheel.
At stoplights throughout the city jugglers and flag twirlers showcase their talents to earn a peso or two at each red light. I saw a guy today bouncing a ball on his head; actually appeared quite difficult. One kid the other day was passing torches under his armpits like nunchucks.
Canals run throughout the city to funnel rainwater during the rainy season. Now, during the winter, these canals are home to the so-called "street kids". Some are as young as 10 years old. They pass their days with their noses embedded in small plastic containers of glue. This stuff is like oxygen to them. They are literally high all the time.
There was a Paro Civico on Tuesday. This is a strike (huelga) that shuts down all commerce and transportation in the city. Santa Cruz and four other departments opposed to President Morales' use of the natural gas revenues from these departments called for the strike. The Beni, another opposition department, has vowed to cease their exportation of cattle to La Paz—so no meat for sale in the capital city. On Wednesday after the Paro several of the main highway arteries leaving Santa Cruz going towards commerce centers like Cochabamba were blockaded. Again, the purpose is to impede commerce, to stifle the flow of tax revenue to the government. Who knows where this will lead, probably nowhere—to political deadlock that is and more years of political and economic stagnation for Bolivia.
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