I almost didnt get to write this post today. The streets are wild with protests over transportation prices, and nearly everything is closed. A woman let me into her internet cafe through the back door, since her front gate is barred "para cuidar."
Politics are so active in Bolivia right now, and I´ve been lucky to have so much exposure to the world of Bolivian activism in the past few days.
-We had dinner with Jack H., an american who has gone-native and become a radical leftist activist for indigenous rights in Bolivia. He is an amazing muscian, and he is married to prominate activist and artist Valentina. He spoke about his work and what still needs to be done for los campasinos.
-We visted the Democracy Now center, and were lucky to have a meeting with Jim Shultz: world famous activist best known for ousting the Bechtel Corporation the Cochabamba water wars. He spoke about his work and how to organize for a cause. He is a genius man and not one of us didn´t leave wanting to pick up a picket sign. (Dont worry, Mom. Im not going to get arrested.)
-Last night we had dinner at Collectivo Kartari, which is a politically motivated artist collective. They shared their wonderful tallents with us, explained their purpose of educating others about indigenous history and abuse, and they fixed us an AMAZING vegetarian meal.
The current strike today didnt suprise me, because I witnessed the planning of it in the plaza yesterday, around a gallery of politcal articles and critiques. Without twitter and facebook, these galleries are how information is spread to the masses. And there were masses. I soon found myself in a conversation with a local, asking about the current situation and what was about to occur. Despite my poor spanish, we were able to discuss Evo Morales, Obama, socialism, racism, and inequality.
Trust me, if there is any true natural high, its talking politics in a nother language!
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