Barrio Flores

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My Blog About Bolivia

The blogger site is no longer active, please visit: http://www.barrioflores.net/weblog

Good-bye Blogger

It's been nearly four years since I first started using Blogger, and now it's time for a change.

This page is no longer active. Please wander over to http://www.barrioflores.net/weblog for the new site.

Thanks to Michael D. for hooking me up with Movable Type. My design has changed nearly day, but it's still a learning process for me.

Invites

I have four Gmail invites (even though most probably have a Gmail account already). These once were prized commodities, but now I would like to just give them away.

If you are interested please email me at eduardo13 [at] gmail.com

This will help me get a sense of who, if anyone, reads my blog. All I ask is that you provide a little feedback on my page and to let me know if there is any subject about Bolivia that you would be interested in.

Thanks.

1001 Things to Hate About the Convention

New York Press has a fairly exhaustive list of things to hate about the convention , which is invading their city.

Some of my favorites:

988. Because NJ Transit is sealing all the trash containers on their NY-bound trains, it’s Bring Your Garbage to Work Week.

980. TV audiences deprived of sole entertainment angle on convention: Viewers will not get to see the phonetic spellings in the teleprompter text of George Bush’s speech.

864. John Ashcroft not scheduled to sing "Let the Eagle Soar."

822. Delegates think our streets are normally this clean.

821. Delegates think our subways are normally this clean.

820. Delegates think our homeless are normally this missing.

404. Rash of babies named "Che" born nine months from now.

350. Angry protester who thinks Kerry’s first order of business will be to free Tibet and Mumia

Asi es Bolivia?

The original source of this article, entitled Asi es Bolivia?, is unknown. Apparently it was written by a Chilean, in one of their daily newspapers. The article attempts to generalize Bolivian culture, finding faults as well as, romanticizing some of our behaviors.

No matter how much I hate generalizations, especially since I am in the minority from unusual circumstances (i.e. in Bolivia, I am considered upper-middle class with all of my childhood spent in the U.S.), I can't help but think that the majority of Bolivians live very differently than I do. Even though I have experienced so many facets of Bolivian life and am friends with people across the socio-economic spectrum, I would never know how the "other Bolivia" lives.

Some of the fun observations include (translation):

“In Cochabamba, for example, one eats in the morning, mid-morning, at noon, mid-afternoon and at night. You wouldn’t believe someone eating so much. The food is very good and very inexpensive.”

No arguments here.

Yet, the author seems to find fault in his own Chilean society and claims that some aspects of Bolivian society is much more honorable.

“In Bolivia , the unfortunate racism that takes place in Chile, doesn’t exist..”

“As there is less infidelity (in Bolivia) than there is in Chile, the men go out with their friends to get drunk and play cacho.”

I don't think anyone can dispute that there is harmful racism exists in Bolivia , nor that the machismo culture contributes to rampant infidelity in Bolivia.

The author makes an observation about society amongst social classes and ethnic groups.

“Distrust and intolerance are more apparent in Bolivian society. There is a huge distrust of everything, that doesn’t allow for innovation and that impedes progress. This intolerance is manifested between the different ethnic groups, that only listen to their own leaders, that only value what is theirs and it also rejects somebody else’s idea.”

These are pretty harsh words, but, in my opinion, also highly accurate. Although this behavior is not limited interaction between social classes or ethnicities. There is a rejection of change among all groups. Firsthand, I became frustrated when I suggested new ideas and they were promptly dismissed because "that's not now we've always done it."

This article has yet to find itself into the Bolivian newspapers (I think). Perhaps it should stay out, even though it displays a good sense of how the outsider observer sees Bolivia. The fact that a Chilean author wrote this piece, makes it even less likely that it would be well-received.

The List - Bolivia vs. Brasil

National Team coach Ramiro Blacutt released the names of those who will be facing Brasil in World Cup qualifying on September 5th. Jose Alfredo Castillo, who is back starting with UAG - Tecos in Mexico was left off the roster due to his recent trouble with a positive drug test. Blacutt continues to make the mistake of not calling in Jaime Moreno, who plays with DC United, and is clearly playing some of his best futbol in quite some time. What makes this even more troubling is the inclusion of Milton 'El Bufalo" Coimbra. Formerly of Puebla in the Mexican league, Comibra has been without a club for most of 2004. How he is chosen over someone in mid-season and near the top of the scoring leaders in a league (MLS) clearly more competitive than the Bolivian league.

Nicknamed "The Buffalo" because of his clumsy size, he once was described in the Bolivian press as playing as if "the ball burned his feet when he touched the ball". Ouch! Clearly Blacutt has no clue what goes outside of Bolivia, and not even considering Moreno and his fellow MLS counterpart Joselito Vaca, shows some serious tunnel vision. Well, after their improved play in the Copa America, I can place a bit more trust in Blacutt that he knows what he is doing.

La nomina:

GOALKEEPERS: Leo Fernández (Oriente Petrolero), José Carlo Fernández (Santa Fe- Colombia) Sergio Galarza. (Wilstermann)

DEFENDERS: Lorgio Álvarez (Oriente Petrolero) , Juan Manuel Peña (Villarreal - Spain) , Ronald Arana (Oriente Petrolero) , Marcelo Carballo (The Strongest) , Percy Colque (Bolivar) , Gatti Ribeiro (Bolivar) , Sergio Jáuregui (Blooming) , Ronald Raldes (Rosario Central - Argentina) , Oscar Sánchez (Bolivar).

MIDFIELDERSLuis Cristaldo (The Strongest) , Walter Flores (San Jose) , Limberg Gutiérrez (Bolivar) , Gonzalo Galindo (Bolivar) , Limbert Pizarro (Bolivar), Rubén Tufiño (Bolivar) .

FORWARDS: Joaquín Botero (UNAM - Mexico) , Milton Coimbra (without a team).

Capitalizing on Che

The Latin American Post website has an article about the effect Che Guevara's presence has had on Bolivia tourism.

(Vallegrande Mayor) García said that any qualms he had about making money off the Communist revolutionary were extinguished during a 1998 visit to the central Cuba city of Santa Clara, where Guevara's remains were reburied. ''I saw shirts, key chains and jackets for sale with his image,'' he said. ``If they profit from him there, why can't we?

ESPN Visits Bolivia

When the national sports channel ESPN began its five-part series on sports around the world, I wondered which country they would visit in South America. Coming up after the commercial break, ESPN would travel to Bolivia and visit the famed Tahuichi Academy in Santa Cruz. That was my answer.

Not often does Bolivia receive such mainstream national attention for something not involving riots, protests or the drug war. So I was anxious to see how Bolivia and their obsession with futbol would be presented. The commentator would joke that the one thing that many people know about Bolivia was when Mike Tyson, not known for his vocabulary ease, said after losing to Lennox Lewis that he will "fade into Bolivia" (when he meant oblivion).

The piece focused on Americans that attend the Tahuichi soccer Academy and the unusual training methods used. The relatively higher costs (2 week session costs $2100) for this camp helps pay for the thousands of poor Bolivians that get to attend the other school. For example, these Americans run and jump in the Rio Pirai and run up sand dunes as a way to build endurance. These teenagers said they learned not to take things for granted, when seeing their Bolivian counterparts utilizing torn shoes or flat soccer balls.

Unfortunately the piece was relatively short. I wish they would have interviewed Marco Etcheverry or Jaime Moreno, two graduates of the regular academy, who have gone on to star with DC United.

The Source of the Music

In the course of finding myself slowly dozing off, my ears perked up hearing the faintness of a familiar sound. I had to remind myself where I was. In the distance I could hear a live band playing the saya rhythm, with the jiggling of cascabeles. It was apparent that somewhere near, a group of caporales was dancing, most likely in homage to this weekend's feast of la Virgen de Urkupiña. Then I remembered that I wasn't back in Bolivia.

Usually in the United States, loud unsolicited music is not welcome. In Bolivia, it's common place. The lack of any noise regulations allow music to last well into the night. Somewhere everywhere, someone is celebrating a mid-week birthday party or as I found across the street, where the Medical School of the Universidad de San Simon is located, there often would be celebrating something nearly every week. But, in the United States these celebrations are reserved for private and less intrusive surroundings.

Hoping to investigate, I put on my flip-flops and followed the trumpets. Two houses away, something was going on in the backyard, yet I couldn't draw up the nerve to just walk up to the fence. In Bolivia, most house entrances lead directly out onto the sidewalk. Usually there are people just milling around and you could earn an invite.

After two songs, they all went inside respectful of their neighbors. It was such a different experience for me to hear such familiar noises in the suburbs of Virginia.

The Problems With Having an Extended Family

Definitely I am not complaining about my endless supply of tias, tios and primos that I met when living abroad for close to three years. It just seems that as the circle gets wider, so does the potential to lose someone you adore.

My father's best friend from the University had to flee Bolivia in the 1970s because of political oppression at the hands of the military dictatorships. Back then, he was a bit of an izquierdista, and rather to meet the fate of other Bolivians on a hit-list, he took a chance and landed in Mexico.

Thirty years later, he would eventually re-marry with a Mexican woman, who would somehow become my tia. I say somehow because even though I knew her a short time in 2001, it seemed as if I knew her my entire life. She was one of the most cariñosa people I have ever met. She would also affectionately call me "chico".

Soon after they returned to Mexico after visiting Bolivia for the first time in over thirty years, I would correspond with her through the internet. Telling her about my wonderous travels throughout South America, she would always end her reply email asking me when I would visit Mexico. Soon, I would say, yet circumstances never really lent themselves for such a visit. After a planned fall trip to Bolivia, I hoped to go to Mexico in the Spring of 2005. It would so great to spend time with them in el D.F., taking me to special and obscure places in that capital.

However, that visit will never take place the way I always imagined it would.

Today, my mother told me that she had passed away. After a sudden illness, she was gone in less than 48 hours. Someone who had never been part of my life before the year 2000, it suddenly feels that my closest relative had left.

This is the third death in the past year that took place while I was thousands of miles away. The news reaches me through cell phone, email and computer screens. Yet, their deaths never seem real to me. The fact that I am so far away, makes their absence feel the same that it always has been. Now that they are gone, how do I really know that they just aren't far away?

Seis de Agosto Pictures

Stage where the group K'alamarka would play later on that day (I was long gone by that time rolled around).


Making chicharron


From left to right: choco con queso, silpancho and huevo to make "trancapechos", chicharron de pollo, chicharron de puerco, relleno de papa!


Sra. anticuchera


La entrada takes place in a football stadium


La Diablada dancers prepare for their turn around the track


Tinku

6 de Agosto!

Sometimes you forget certain Bolivian holidays when you are wrapped up in your daily life in the United States. Today is independence day (August 6th), yet it is just another workday for the tens of thousands of Bolivians living in Northern Virginia. However, today lets me reflect on this very special day because of all the good times I have had on this day.This year marks the first time since 2000, that I will not be in Bolivia. For four straight years, we made the two and a half hour trip to Villa Tunari for the annual Feria del Pescado (Fish Festival). This two-day long festival featuring bands from the entire country, including los Kjarkas, Yalo Cuellar and other cover bands, that play until the wee hours of the morning, is visited by about a thousand primarily, Cochabambinos. However, the main attraction is the fifty or so fish vendors. With so many different kinds of fish from the freshwater rivers in the Tropics of Cochabamba, fish lovers (like me) are in heaven. Surubi, Pacu, and Sabalo are some of the varieties of fish that are featured.

Yet, I am a bit spoiled. The vendors cannot compete with the cooking by a cousin of mine. As an amateur chef, my cousin makes the two hour drive to Puerto San Francisco to pick-up our ordered 30 lb. Sabalo. His connections in this sleepy riverport village have the fish waiting for us after a early morning catch. This old friend doesn't employ the tactics often used by fishermen in this area. Dynamite is often planted within the riverbed, then lit, and the explosion knocks dozens of fish onto the bank, where they are just scooped up.

Returning from our pick-up (and a stop to eat fish, of course), the charcoal grill is waiting. Yet the cooking time is slow. Placed between two banana plant leaves, the fish takes time to arrive at the desired state, where it will eventually melt in your mouth. My impatience forces me to walk around Villa Tunari, head down to the river, or just take a nap.

The best part of the meal is eating right of the grill. By now, I am famous within my family as the resident fish lover. In Bolivia, people aren’t pleased when you say you like the food. They prefer to see you eat, and eat a lot of their food.

My mouth’s watering right now as I type this. Well, there’s always next year.

Orange

When the Office of Homeland Security raised the "Terror" level to Code Orange, things now seemed closer to home. Every morning crossing the Key Bridge into Georgetown, the huge electronic sign that used to announce $100 fines for using a cell phone while driving, now had a very different message. That sign now reminded all drivers to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior. I haven't ventured into downtown D.C. lately, but areas I drove through and walked by, were now shut off and cars were subject to inspection.

Even parking lots near Fannie Mae were guarded more closely. I had to register my name and my license plate before running into the nearby printing store. These types of precautions never bothered me, but just reminds me how much closer I am to the epicenter.

It's not that I feel unsafe, it is just that it's just one more added thing to have in the back of my mind. There's nowhere I feel safer than being in Bolivia. Even though petty crime has increased and armed robberies have gone up in Bolivian cities, one can usually avoid any danger by taking simple precautions.

Here working in Washington D.C., these issues now are part of my everyday life and that's something to I must get used to.

Check the Headline

This headline from the Scotsman.com news service makes no sense. Perhaps they should stop trying to be fancy in their writing ("FOR years, union leader Evo Morales has been the bête noire of US drug policy in Bolivia") and get their facts correct.

Musical Memories

My internal debate whether or not to purchase a fancy ipod has left me even more confused. Arguments say that this little device will "change the way you listen to music." I'm not convinced that this a good thing. Up until now, choosing which CDs I bring into the car with me or which CDs made the cut to accompany me to spend one year in Bolivia, has always been a time-consuming and well thought-out affair.

Even taking small side trips throughout South America or within Bolivia forced me to choose what my musical soundtrack would be. With these choices, often these songs or CDs would create some lasting memories that would remind me of a certain place, time or situation. Now when I hear that CD years later, they would trigger memories, as if it were a journal that takes me back to those times.

For example, I can remember sitting in the plaza principal of Samaipata near Santa Cruz, discovering Matt Pond PA for the first time. I can also remember looking outside my seventh floor window in Cochabamba, watching the rain fall, while listening and repeatedly playing Kind of Like Spitting. I can always equate a time and place for a certain song. Even the meaningless lyrics of Argentine cumbias remind me of hanging out in Villa Tunari with my cousins, listening to the newest song de moda.

Would buying an ipod relieve me of having to make those choices? Would the sheer number of songs available at my fingertips reduce the meaningful connections that I have made between music and memories?

Perhaps I should save that money and use it to travel to make more of those memories.

Bolivians in the Olympics

Bolivia has never won an Olympic medal ever since it was recognized by the IOC in 1936. The chances appear slim once again as the Bolivian delegation sets off for Athens on Thursday. As most countries send hundreds of athletes, Bolivia is sending only two.

Katherine Moreño, a swimmer, will be competing in the 100m breaststroke.

Rudolf Knijnenburg will be competing in a shooting event. He was the only one of the two athletes to say that he may have a good chance to win a medal.

World competition is nothing like the competition in Bolivia, where resources and training facilities are much inferior to more developed nations. Perhaps the biggest competition these two athletes will face during the Olympics game will be which one gets to hold the flag during the Opening Ceremonies.

Update: The reports of only two Bolivians in the Olympics games have been greatly exaggerated. Turns out that Bolivia will be sending at least seven in total, including in the events of Judo, 400 meter runner and a gymnast. So maybe our odds a little bit better now.

The Story of the Tournament

Brasilian forward Adriano capped a desperation blitz in stoppage time to tie the game sending the Final of the Copa America to penalty kicks.  This golazo in the 93rd minute against Argentina was a pattern of heartbreaking endings for numerous participants in this year's edition of the Copa America Peru.

Leading 2-1 in the waning seconds of the final of the Continent's oldest tournament, Argentina seemed to have the game in hand.  Ultimately they would lose in penalty kicks to their arch rival Brasil.

In a way, I'm glad that Bolivia wasn't the only one to experience heartbreak in the final minutes/seconds.  Against Peru, Bolivia let a 2-0 lead slip and Colombia scored on a header in the 89th minute.  Even a last minute stunner happened when Bolivia was watching from their hotel rooms.  Costa Rica scored in the 93rd minute breaking the 1-1 tie that would have sent Bolivia through to the next round.

So I hold no pity for Argentina, even watching their star players crying their eyes out.  At least Bolivia did not finish last, finishing ahead of Ecuador, Chile and Venezuela.

Relative Prices

Today I tried yet another Bolivian restaurant in the Metro DC area. There are still plenty of others on my list to try. However, I usually have stuck with the familiars where I know I cannot go wrong. The one thing that I still cannot get used to is the relatively high prices one must pay for to get Bolivian food. Obviously this is the case because of the higher cost of living in the United States. Yet it still kills me to think that I can be paying 1/8 of the price of this food, often higher quality, back in Bolivia.

For example:

Salten~as: Bolivia $0.40 / United States $2.50
Silpancho: Bolivia $1.50 / United States $9.00
Sopa de Mani: Bolivia $0.50 / United States $ 5.00

So considering those prices here in the States, taking chances on new restaurants can sometimes be costly. Today's silpancho was regular, certainly not worth the 3 mile drive and nine bucks from my pocket. It looks like I will go back to my usual place for the forseeable future.

Headlines The Day After

Los Tiempos (Cochabamba)

"Gana el sí; Mesa satisfecho"

La Razon (La Paz)

"Bolivia decide que Mesa recupere y exporte el gas"

El Deber (Santa Cruz)

"Ganó la democracia y se exportará el gas"

El Diario (La Paz)

"Referéndum sobre el gas obtiene respuesta favorable"

Opinion (Cochabamba)

"Bolivia vota por recuperar todos sus hidrocarburos"

Voting Tables - CLOSED

Four o'clock marked the close of voting for the Referendum held on July 18, 2004. There have been reports that some tables were closed even though, law stipulates that as long as there are people in line, the table is to remain open. Some international observers have attempted to reopen the books, but were not authorized to make these recommendations.

According to the Knight-Ridder Tribune news service, the measures have passed. The headline states "Bolivian voters appear to support gas industry nationalization", which shows that there seems to be a question of interpretation regarding the five questions. Many social sector groups decided to write "Nacionalizacion" on the ballot as a sign or protest.

News from El Alto

This article from the Chilean daily "El Mercurio" reports that there have been attempts to disrupt the Referendum in parts of El Alto. Roberto de la Cruz, leader of the COR, was greeted with whistles and shouts to "Get out!".

Also from "El Mercurio", members of the delegation from the Organziation of American States were attacked with rocks when attempting to complete the task of observation. At least one person has been arrested for their role in interrupting the process.

Streaming Audio Live From Bolivia

Radio Wayna Tambo FM 101.7

http://radio.uk1.indymedia.org:9000/bolivia.mp3 or
http://backup.killradio.org:8008 or
http://kehuelga.org:8000/radio.mp3


(Place in Winamp or other media player)

They have been getting direct reports from voting centers. Right now they are conversing with Sacha Llorenti from the Asamblea Permanente de Derechos Humanos.

AP Photos July 18

Courtsey of the Associated Press


Two member of the OAS are forced to leave from El Alto



Carlos Mesa shows the ink on his finger proof of his vote today.

First Results

According to Bolivia.com, the first "mesa" has been closed. Albeit only twenty or so persons corresponded to that voting center, all five questions received a majority of "Yes" votes.

Table # 2343 in Sucre received 100% participation.

Question #1 15 Yes 2 No
Question #2 20 Yes 0 No
Question #3 20 Yes 0 No
Question #4 15 Yes 0 No
Question #5 14 Yes 3 No

Sure it's early, but any news is good news that the voting is continuing peacefully.

Up to the Minute Coverage

So far, the only latest coverage of the Referendum can be found at the indymedia Bolivia site. So far there are firsthand reports (unsigned) from Achacachi and the first reports of an attempt to burn ballot boxes in Senkata (near El Alto). Needless to say, the Indymedia site is very biased and the fact, that no one is claiming ownership of these reports, forces one to take them with a grain of salt.

Another source that I have used has been streaming audio from Radio Panamericana. However, currently there are too many connections and I cannot access the stream.

Tomorrow

Let Sunday be a day free of violence. 
 
Let those who want to vote, be able to cast their ballots under no pressure.
 
Let those who want to vote "No", vote "No"
 
Let those who want to vote "Yes", vote "Yes"
 
Is that too much to ask for?
 
 

Don't Blame Ortube

Referees are not especially well-liked in Bolivia.  When the three officials (referee and two linespersons) walk out onto the field before any league match in Bolivia, they are immediately greeted with whistles (the Latin American equivalent of booing).  After yesterday's game that Bolivian referee Marcelo Ortube oversaw, he may be even more disliked than before.
 
However, the bottom line is that the Bolivian team was not physically prepared to withstand the Peruvian comeback, the Colombian late-minute header, nor able to finish off the struggling Venezuelans.  Bolivia had the opportunity to put itself in a position to not have to rely on the whistle of a referee in a game that they weren't even playing.  Only tallying two points in three games was not Ortube's fault.

Carter Center To Observe Referendum

Members from the Carter Center, as well as 22 member delegation from the Organization of American States and a special delegate from Argentina will be arriving in Bolivia to act as "observers" during the weekend's events.

In Other Notes:

The rumors of a possible coup continue to spread throughout the media. Many seem to want to place the blame on the radical social sectors, who have openly threatened with violence and blockades. However, many point to ex-members of the military. The Armed Forces have denied that these forces are collaborating with anyone who is currently serving. The Armed Forces conducted a drill around the Plaza Murillo in the event that Mesa would need to call on the military to restore and maintain order.

Defensor Defends Referendum

Waldo Albarracin, the current Defensor del Pueblo, has publicly come out in support of the July 18 Referendum. He joins Caritas, Amnesty International, Asamblea Permanente de Derechos Humanos, and other lesser known organizations that have come out in support of the Referendum process.

"To demonize the Referendum and to threaten to burn ballot boxes and other acts in order to prevent (the Referendum) from taking place is an attempt against democracy and also against the rights of the Bolivian people," said Albarracin.

The list of organizations have not declared an official position regarding the five questions, but said that the results should be respected and carried out. However, if the five questions pass with a "Yes" vote, there still is a long road ahead to determine what those votes actually mean.

It's a very good thing that the Defensor del Pueblo has voiced his support for this exercise. However, he should have spoke out stronger against the boycotts, strikes, roadblocks and threats of violence that are certain to accompany this coming weekend.

You're F-ing Kidding Me

Needing a 0-0 or 1-1 tie in the game between Chile and Costa Rica, Bolivia had their rematch against Colombia set. In the final minute, with 3 minutes additional time Chile and Costa Rica were deadlocked at 1. In the 93rd minute, an awkward rebound off a Chilean defender, gave the ball at the feet of a Tico. He striked and scored the winning goal.

Ironically, the referee was Marcelo Ortube, Bolivia's most well known referee. He could have stopped the game at 47:51 but decided to let them play on.

When I saw the goal hit the back of the net, I got up and said the title of this post, but without the dash.

Maybe it was for the better, I couldn't stand anymore disappointment from the Bolivian side in this tournament.

Keep Hope Alive

If Bolivia does not win tonight's game against Venezuela, I promise I won't post another thing about the National Team for several months, maybe longer, maybe forever.

However, I learned last night that mathematically the team still has the osibility to qualify for the next round. Among the three groups, the top two from each move on. There are also two wild card teams, which are the 2 next best third-place teams. So technically, a win against Venezuela would leave Bolivia with four points while several other teams have zero.

So, there's still a possibility that this Copa America won't be a major disappointment.

Back to Cecilia's tonight!

Another Loss in the Final Minutes

My VCR was waiting for me upon my arrival. The game was over for two days but I decided to withstand finding out the score. Everything seemed to be leading towards a 0-0 tie, but suddenly in the last fifteen minutes my stomach started to become nervous. I need to learn that it is just a futbol match, and not a matter of life or death. My premonition was correct, a late Colombian goal would erase that crucial single point.

A cousin in Bolivia told me once that it is difficult for him to watch important futbol matches because his anxiety rises. Now I understand why. Even though Bolivia faces much more important issues than securing a tie in a sporting match, to me success for the National Team seems to be one of the few bright spots that the entire country can look forward to.

La Esperanza

There's a buzz in the air after the tie against Copa America hosts Peru.



This Friday's game against Colombia is a rematch where the cafeteros will try to erase the memory of the 0-4 drubbing at the hands of Bolivia last September. I'll be away camping in Maryland the entire weekend away from a TV. Relying only on my recorded copy when I return on Sunday, I'll be watching the game as if it was live, yet with an uneasy feeling that somewhere far away Bolivia is either happy or sad over the outcome.

Lorgioooooooooool

Click here to see one of the greatest goals I have ever seen. This video (after sitting through a 10-second ad) doesn't quite do it justice. Lorgio Alvarez, who definitely was not a star in Bolivia before his remarkable goal, played the ball between the legs of the goalkeeper. At a very difficult angle, he curved tha ball into the net for a goal that literally left me in tears.

That goal could have been the gamewinner, instead it is now one of the most memorable goals in Bolivia futbol history.

The Tie That Feels Like a Loss

Bolivia almost pulled off a monumental upset against Peru in the opening match in the Copa America tournament. The host team is always under pressure to go far in their own tournament. So when Bolivia jumped out to a 2-0 lead, things seemed too good to be true. After a penalty call that brought the game within one goal, Ramiro Blacutt decided to pull the entire team back and try to withstand the onslaught. Finally Peru was able to tie the game and all the hopes of an upset win went out the window.



Pictures and words about the night at Cecilia's will come soon.

This Year's Greece?

Bolivia, like Greece (recent winners of Euro 2004), is not known for their football prowess.

Bolivia, like Greece, has only qualified for 1 World Cup. Both appearances were in 1994 USA.

Bolivia, like Greece, was not expected to make much noise in the Copa America and European Cup, respectively.

Bolivia, like Greece, played their first match against the host country (Bolivia vs. Peru; Greece vs. Portugal).

So, in about two hours I'll be heading down to Cecilia's the oldest Bolivian restaurant in Northern Virginia to watch the opening match and hope Bolivia can follow the lead of their Greek inspiration by beating the host country on a road towards lifting the Cup.

Optimism is not a flaw.

Guaranteeing Voter Rights

With less than two weeks left before the upcoming Referendum on the use of hydrocarbon resources, it has become increasingly clear where each political party, social, and civic groups stands on the five questions. Some have publicly stated that they will vote “yes”, “no”, or even abstain from this exercise. However, there are some radical groups that are threatening to disrupt the Referendum altogether.

Felipe Quispe and the Confederación Sindical Única de Trabajadores Campesinos de Bolivia (CSUTCB) have announced that they will blockade roads prohibiting anyone to vote, the intimidation of those working the tables, and the burning of ballot boxes. The Central Obrero Regional and Central Obrero Boliviano have also announced similar measures. The government will treat as criminals anyone who tries to disrupt, intimidate or prevent anyone from voting.

President Carlos Mesa reiterated that it is his responsibility to ensure the safety and ensure the fundamental right of anyone who wants to cast their ballot. The use of the military to maintain order and prevent violence is a definite possibility according to Mesa in his weekly address.

Those who often lump Quispe, the COB and Evo Morales all in the same group of malcontents, may be surprised to find that Morales is backing the President and the Referendum.

International observers, possibly from the Carter Center, may be on hand to monitor the transparency of this Referendum process.

The 18th of June is a historic day for Bolivia because hundreds of thousands of Bolivians, who aren’t part of unions, political parties, or civic groups who have had a monopoly on disrupting or affecting national policies will now have a chance to participate directly in their country's future. It is the responsibility of Mesa to protect this right and this opportunity.