If you've ever been fascinated
with myth, legends, and the mysteries of South American
Indian cultural treasures, Bolivia is
a treasure trove of ancient wisdom.
This country resembles the Tibetan Plateau in many ways.
The highest natural lake in the world, Lake
Titicaca, is here. And the capitol city of La
Paz, Bolivia is the capitol of the highest altitude
in the world. With a picturesque skyline dominated by
the Illimani, a forbidding peak soaring impossibly into
the sapphire azimuth, La Paz's ruins and the ancient foundations
of the church of St. Augustine are testament to the history
that still stands here in Bolivia, whose timeless forts
and temples have an eerily calming effect upon the visitor.
It was only recently that an earthquake caused part of
the monastery of St. Augustine's foundation to expose
ancient stones of the Coricancha north in the old Inca
capitol of Cuzco, which is in modern day Peru. This place
is the dwelling place of the sun, and the home of the
infamous sun disc, easily one of the most sacred and revered
sites of the ancient Incan Empire. La Paz, Bolivia, is
situated 12,000 feet above sea level, on a canyon floor,
in the winter is often bathed in a clear, intense sunlight.
Once you visit Bolivia, you will feel the power of the
sun and the awe-inspiring landscape and understand how
this culture came to worship the sun.
With amazing ruins, startlingly preserved and many still
in use today, it is no wonder that life has changed little
here since the time of old. Bolivia travel is a good option
in the warmer months between April and October. The warm
air makes the high elevation more tolerable. While winter
temperatures are all around more comfortable, the rain
can make travel more of a challenge. A great deal of Bolivian
tourism is centered upon the many Bolivian holidays, cultural
aspects and religious festivals of the native population.
One of the most spectacular displays of ancient ritual
of the Bolivian holiday
of Yintip Raymi, or the Solemn Feast of the Sun. This
is a large, elaborate sun ritual thousands of years old.
This festival, which takes place on June 24, was brought
back to life in 1944, on the summer solstice. It will
help give you a real taste of the distinct culture that
thrives here. Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara, the pre-Inca
language, are all spoken in Bolivia.
But in fact, only about 60% of the population is Spanish
speaking. The language barrier, which can become a barrier
for Bolivian tourism, can be dealt with easily by hiring
a tour guide.
Lake Titicaca holds a
great deal of meaning to the Aymara Indians as well as
their descendants. This desolate lake is a deep and intense
dark blue color. Being a body of water in the mountains,
it is subject to rapid changes in weather. Many modern
descendants still practice the tradition of weaving the
feather light boats out of reed, which they use to traverse
Lake Titicaca and travel to the islands of the Sun and
the Moon, as they have for hundreds of years. One of the
amazing facts of this country is that more than half of
the population of Bolivia still adheres to traditional
ways of life.
These facts draw curious adventurers to explore Tiahuanaco
or Tiwanaku, a solemn, desolate temple fortresses that
is the remnant of an ancient settlement at Lake Titicaca.
This commanding fortress, home of the most revered ruins
and the puzzling carved figures and the solitary sun gate,
is truly a mystery, as it was to the Incas. By the time
they reached the height of their culture, the site had
long been in ruin.
Whether you want to wander the markets of La Paz, hike
the ancient temples of the hallowed city of Tiahuanaco,
or partake in a tour to the underground lake, Bolivia
travel will satisfy your wandering urges and place you
under a mystifying spell, captivating your imagination.
