‘World Theme Travel – Bolivia? Bolivia!’ Part 1, ‘The Soul of Cholita, La Paz’, will be broadcast on EBS1 TV at 8:40 pm today (21st).
A strange country, Bolivia? So, Bolivia is a country I’m even more curious about!
Average altitude above sea level is 4,000m! A story of a thousand colors unfolding in the country of the plateau. A time spent immersed in unrealistic scenery and the deep indigenous culture of South America, the land of the earth goddess ‘Pachamama’ who supports the sky and serves the earth.
A living tradition, encounter the spirit of Cholita La Paz, Yungas
In search of Uyuni’s two charming faces, Uyuni Salt Flats
Lake Titicaca, the birthplace of the Inca civilization, the Sea of the Incas
Potosi and Santa Cruz, where colorful tribal culture and history are alive
Let’s go on a trip to see the charms of Bolivia, which is said to have a thousand charms. The first destination is La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. La Paz, located on the Altiplano Plateau, in the center of the Andes Mountains, has an average altitude of more than 3,600m and is called ‘the city touching the sky.’ The first place we headed to was the so-called ‘Witch Market’. Come see the unique features of Witch Market, which have everything except cat horns. It is full of offerings and sacrificial items for the earth goddess Pachamama, including dried Llama fetuses and the sacred tree ‘Palo Santo’. Here, we take a look at the Bolivian folk belief that ‘lives and dies in Pachamama’.
There is something special about the sky of La Paz. This is La Paz’s famous Teleférico. This is a cable car that runs throughout downtown La Paz, making it a public transportation system in the sky for residents! When you ride the Teleferico, you can see the houses that change depending on the altitude at a glance. The economy of La Paz, where ‘residential altitude’ is an indicator of economic power, is hidden in the landscape. We arrived at El Alto, a satellite city of La Paz, at an altitude of 4,100m by Teleferico. A unique used car market is held here every Sunday. Used car market without brokers! The tug-of-war between the actual owner and the purchaser in negotiation is interesting. After eating, Andes also heads to the Sunday market to relieve his hunger with the sweet taste of Huminta, a type of corn bread.
The cheers of people can be heard from somewhere. I followed the sound to a place where women were wrestling in rich skirts! Their identity is Cholitas. Cholitas are indigenous South American women who make their presence known with a rich pollera skirt, colorful shawls, braided hair, and hats. Cholita wrestling, performed by women wearing their traditional attire, is a symbol of resistance to violence and gender discrimination. I join the training of Rosita, an 18-year-old Cholita wrestler whom I met at the Cholita Stadium, and experience the life and passion of the Cholitas.
Leave La Paz and head to the Camino a Los Yungas. The nickname of this road is ‘Death Road’. This is because the width is only 3.5m and the weather is constantly changing, so accidents occur frequently and deaths occur every year. Therefore, at the entrance to Yungas Road, ancestral rites are held here and there to pray for a safe return and safety.
On one side, preparations for adventure are in full swing. For adventurers, the Yungas Road is a thrilling challenge. They ride mountain bikes on steep slopes and sharp curves without railings. On one side of the road, there is a memorial to those who passed away in an accident on Death Road. In front of the memorial, comfort the souls of those who went to the side of Pachamama, the goddess of the earth.
Economy Queen Reporter Park Yu-mi Photo provided by EBS World Theme Travel
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