I’m traveling to Bolivia in a few days. In some ways, this is nothing new. Though my family moved to Michigan in 1985, we frequently went back to visit relatives & friends, especially in Santa Cruz & La Paz. It’s also nothing new to K8; we met there (we were both Fulbright fellows). But this time, we must consciously plan our visit around potential bloqueos & street protests.
We’re scheduled to fly into Santa Cruz, and out of La Paz. This itinerary would’ve been fine a few years ago. But since 2003, the possibility that the La Paz airport (actually in El Alto) is closed (or inaccessible) on the day of our flight is a very real consideration.
I know things were never “perfect” in Bolivia before October 2003 (and I was there from September 2003 through July 2004). But things were never to the point where I had to seriously worry about cross-country travel plans (though after October 2003, yes, that was the case). And, no, I’m not being alarmist. It may likely amount to nothing, but the escalating tension of the past few days suggests that bloqueo season is starting in earnest. Which means we may have to limit our travels to Santa Cruz (where bloqueo season is very light, relative to the Altiplano). But we do want to visit La Paz for a few days, regardless. So we’re just going to keep our fingers crossed, but have contingency plans just in case.
That said, I know my family in Santa Cruz (who haven’t yet met K8) are looking forward to our visit—especially now that we’re both married and pregnant.
