Sucre, Bolivia

My time in Sucre started with meeting another group of travelers in the hostel. They had assembled together over the past week or so and represented about 4 countries. When I finally woke up Sunday morning and got to see Sucre in the daylight I was amazed. It is an incredibly beautiful town. All of the center of town is full of white-washed buildings with a very strong Spanish influence in the architecture. Sucre is full of these breath-taking cathedrals and arches and just beautiful architecture. Plus everything seems to be well maintained. It was the perfect change from Buenos Aires and the border towns I had seen along the way. The city is basically built into a basin so the town center is relatively flat while in all other directions it becomes residential, more impoverished and the roads just go up and up. I walked up one road to the mirador (look out) - which was really hard with the altitude - and I can´t even put into words how beautiful the town looks from above.

Right across the street from my hostel was this incredible market. The first part was full of Bolivians selling jewelry, toys and snacks. Then, inside, there are rows and rows of people selling meat, bread, grains, spices, pastries . . . Past that is this huge lane or row that is lined with women selling all kinds of fruits and veggies. There was a huge variety and lots of things I didn´t recognize but I do know that the fresh pineapple and apples were delicious. After the food part of the market you walk out into a square in which there is a collection of booths full of fabrics, scarves, hats, jewelry, sweaters, gloves, table clothes and other trinkets. The colors were absolutely amazing, ranging from neutral browns and greens to these brilliant pinks and blues. Of course, this was my weakness and I came away from the market with my wallet a little lighter and a bag or two of purchases.

Another thing that was new for me in Sucre was the people. Most of the women, especially in the market, are indigenous or at least maintain those traditions. They wear flats, tall socks, a very full knee-length ruffled skirt, several cardigans, a shawl or brightly colored material folded into a backpack like thing, their hair in two long dark braids that run down their back and then a bowler hat to top it off. Although some of the patterns or colors would change, all the women were dressed incredibly alike.

Most of my time in Sucre I spent just walking around and exploring the city. On Sunday there was this big car rally with race cars doing timed laps in a route through the town center. There were also classic cars and fancy cars on display next to the main plaza. I also spent a lot of time at the Joy Ride Cafe. It was amazing food and drinks and made for a good time with the group of travelers I was with.