I’m sorry about the delay in posting these pictures – they were taken during the August 6th celebration of Bolivian Independence day!

Marches and parades are one of the more colorful aspects of communal life here in Bolivia. I might have mentioned this before – but the lines you see on the street are to keep all marchers walking straight (needless to say it they don’t always prove useful).This past August 6th Sarah Anderson, Winston Harrell, and I attended the fiesta in Tarija city on the main avenida.

Most of the folks marching are day laborers from various disciplines – including mechanics, long and short haul truck drivers, and taxi drivers (some pictured above).

Also in attendance were the many vendor cooperatives – comprising of market vendors, artisan vendors, produce vendors, and every other kind of vendor you might imagine.

My host sister, Heydi Antelo, who works for a road construction company was marching with her counterparts (white shirt above).

Little did I know that the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts were in existence here in Bolivia. I’ll have to confess that I quit the Girl Scouts in NY when I was quite young because the group didn’t do anything as fun as the Boy Scouts – and really I just needed to come to Bolivia – go figure !

It was a great parade !Too bad you couldn’t be here for the delicious picnic we had afterwards !!

Now playing: Paul Simon - Down in the Valley

Posted by Sarah Robinson on Thursday, August 23rd, 2007 at 4:52 pm.