Great Blue Herons In Madidi National Park, Bolivia (08/23/19) — Images by kenne
Madidi is a national park in the upper Amazon river basin in Bolivia. Established in 1995, it has an area of 18,958 square kilometers, and, along with the nearby protected (though not necessarily contiguous) areas Manuripi-Heath, Apolobamba, and (across the border in Peru) the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Madidi is part of one of the largest protected areas in the world.
Ranging from the glacier-covered peaks of the high Andes Mountains to the tropical rainforests of the Tuichi River, Madidi and its neighbors are recognized as one of the planet’s most biologically diverse regions. In particular, Madidi protects parts of the Bolivian Yungas and Bolivian montane dry forests ecoregions.
Access to the Madidi National Park by flying from La Pez over the Andes to Rurrenabaque. We drove muddy jungle roads to our guide’s Tacana Community, where we boarded balsa wood rafts on the Tuichi River.
Peccaries Near The Tuichi River In The Amazon (08/21/19) — Image by kenne
Like a pig, it has a snout ending in a cartilaginous disc and eyes that are small relative to its head. Also, like a pig, it uses only the middle two digits for walking, although, unlike pigs, the other toes may be altogether absent. Finally, its stomach is not ruminating, although it has three chambers and is more complex than pigs. Peccaries are omnivores and eat insects, grubs, and occasionally small animals, although their preferred foods consist of roots, grasses, seeds, fruit, and cacti—particularly prickly pear. They are found throughout Central and South America and the southwestern United States. — Source: Wikipedia
Cholita Wrestlers (08/18/19), La Paz, Bolivia — Image by kenne
A couple days ago I read where Cholita wrestlers stage a performance on the street during the Electropreste celebration, which combines traditional and modern customs, in La Paz, Bolivia March 12, 2022. REUTERS/Claudia Morales
In August of 2019 we were in La Paz before flying over the Andes to the Amazon. Some of our group wanted to go see the Cholita Wrestlers. Here’s a link to a posting I did.(Click Here.)
— kenne
Cholita: “You see me…” Then a sigh “…in your Gringo eyes, Green like algae and blue like skies…” Then a sigh And frown, and timid, stoic And she turned to mirror In her eyes history on a rock Ollantay Fearful, hesitant Pleasure and the pain all the same Impassive All were one, without a difference “…this is my story…” “…this is my strength…” However Polomitsa she was Or rather A lion with power And she talked And defined In city and around “…Cholita, work of art, work of harm…” Iconic history “…this fashion is a curse…” Lost in heart was my mouth In ears was my tongue I listened and I watched And blunt, sure she was Thick-skinned With no rights Under hat pollera, shawls and Jewells Cholita an insult Cholita an abused Cholita her mother Cholita her daughter And Cholita’s pride is Cholita’s revenge
Tuichi River In The Amazon (August 2019) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Downriver, the jungle fog slowly lifts
Water still murky from heavy rains
Two days earlier in the upriver hills
Making jungle roads almost impassible
To our reaching an indigenous community.
After a meal prepared by Padro’s family
Under a thatch-covered shelter, we
Walked through a field of cattle
Watching suspiciously at a distance
A quick turn of the head, glancing back.
Arriving at the river shoreline before
Completion of the balsa wood rafts
We watched our indigenous crew
Finish preparing our transportation
On what would be my Amazon mistress.
Amazon Rainforest Sunset (August 2019) — Image by kenne
Spending time on the river walking its banks, seeing the variety of wildlife, that lingers there, makes for beautiful paintings and photographs, for people to admire.
A Cholas in traditional finery at the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana located in the town of Copacabana, Bolivia on the shores of Lake Titicaca. (August 24, 2019)
Tuichi River In The Amazon (August 2019) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 