Since the 1950s, Copacabana has become a focal point of this modern-day Bolivian pilgrimage
known as the Bendición de Movilidades (Blessing of the Automobiles).
Michael is explaining the ceremony to Ty and Matt.
Every weekend and most weekdays, new car owners
from Bolivia and Peru will line-up the cars to be blessed.
A priest who sprinkles beer on the each car while reciting a prayer.
The owners decorate their vehicle and often have champagne to celebrate the event, often by spraying the vehicle.
Venders under blue tents are selling plastic and fresh flowers colorful streamers, pinwheels and hats.
Michael buying some Bolivian popcorn — Images by kenne
La Morenada Traditional Dancer — Photo-Artistry by kenne
The word “moreno” means “dark” in Spanish. This music and its dance are from La Paz and involve a lot of drums and rattles. Over the years trumpets, trombones and cymbals were added. This traditional Bolivian dance also originated with the African slaves brought to Bolivia from Africa to work on haciendas; however, this music comes from the area of Lake Titicaca, high on the Bolivian Altiplano (the high plateau that surrounds La Paz) not the tropical Yungas region. — https://www.boliviabella.com/bolivian-music-types.html
When we arrived in Copacabana near the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana
we could hear a brass band playing in the Basilica’s plaza.
Clearly, on this sunny Saturday morning, a ceremony of some sort was taking place.
Once we were inside the plaza there were women and men of all ages
in very colorful customs dancing to the music.
The dance is a traditional dance in Bolivia called La Morenada.
Anthropologists say the dance is a satire, inspired by the suffering of black slaves
who were brought to Bolivia to work in the Andean silver mines.
La Morenada is easily recognizable in a procession because it has various characteristics:
There are many rattles and drums, groups of women are dressed
in polleras (multilayered skirts) with bowler hats,
while men wear costumes that supposedly represent barrels
and wear silver or black masks (Morenada means ‘black’).
The origin of La Morenada stems from Lake Titicaca,
based on 200/300-year-old cave paintings found there, depicting these dances.
High atop the Andes, between Bolivia and Peru,
sits the birthplace of the Incas, sacred Lake Titicaca.
A powerhouse of nature through and through,
it was created by the Inca god of the lake, Viracocha.
Bodies pass through the world exchanging gifts inscribing one another like a mutual tattoo forcing them to see each other in mirrors and be known in the sights of beasts and birds
Our next stop was Tiquina where we took a boat across to the peninsula that Copacabana is on.
Waiting for the boat I noticed a Cholita grandma who I pictorially followed to covered our crossing.
We continue on HWY #2 out of El Alto passing through Batalla.Soon we begin to see parts of Lower Lake Titicaca.Lower Lake Titicaca. The lake is bordered by both Bolivia and Peru,
and from where we stood we could see Puno in Peru. Lower Lake TiticacaMichael shares some history and geography of Titicaca.We are standing at approximately 13,000 above sea level
where the high temperature for this time of year is about 60 degrees. Our next stop will be Tiquina where we will take a boat across to the peninsula that Copacabana is on. — Images by kenne
The world is full of travellers. Once in a year go to someplace you have never been before. You will meet Confused seekers, Hopeful wanderers, Enthusiastic story-tellers, Happy families. Look into their eyes and stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you’d drop dead any moment. Look at the world. It’s more beautiful than any dream you’d have ever seen. Make the most beautiful travel diary and open it up your third generation
because only your grandchildren will understand what your children will fail to.
Our last full day in Bolivia would be going to Lake Titicaca, so early on August 24th, we met Michael Maldonado, our Lake Titicaca guide. The most direct route takes us through El Alto, on the Altiplano highlands. El Alto is today one of Bolivia’s fastest-growing urban centers, with a population of over 1,000,000. Driving through the city, construction is everywhere.
Michael Maldonado On His Phone.
Common to the architecture, the first floor is designed for commercial use.
Most of the buildings in El Alto did not exist a decade ago, so they are not only new but reflect a modern Bolivian style.
A short walk to Pedro’s Berraco del Madidi Tours office.
It’s mid-day in Rurrenabaque.
Berraco del Madidi Tours office, where we were able to shower before having lunch.
Pedro’s staff. They served us well during our time in Madidi National Park.
Our guide and owner of Berraco del Madidi Amazon Adventure Tours, Pedro Macuapa. We really appreciate all he did for us making our time in Madidi National Park enjoyable and very successful. — kenne
Our Las Day In Madidi National Park — Images by kenne
The balsa wood rafts are pulled onto land and are left for anyone who might want them. Most of the supplies and camping equipment is removed and temporarily stored in the bush to make room for all of us to travel downriver to Rurrenabaque by mid-day. Pedro’s uncle will be left behind but will be picked up later.
There is still much to do and see before catching our late afternoon flight back to La Paz.
— kenne
‘Tis Nature’s law That none, the meanest of created things, Of forms created the most vile and brute, The dullest or most noxious, should exist Divorced from good—a spirit and pulse of good, A life and soul to every mode of being Inseparably linked.
Michael is explaining the ceremony to Ty and Matt.
A priest who sprinkles beer on the each car while reciting a prayer.
The owners decorate their vehicle and often have champagne to celebrate the event, often by spraying the vehicle. 
Venders under blue tents are selling plastic and fresh flowers colorful streamers, pinwheels and hats.
Michael buying some Bolivian popcorn — Images by kenne
La Morenada Traditional Dancer — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana 
Once we were inside the plaza there were women and men of all ages
The dance is a traditional dance in Bolivia called La Morenada.
Cut Flowers, Tquina, Bolivia — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Lake Titicaca Sunset — Photo-Artistry by kenne
La Paz Market Street — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Images by kenne
We continue on HWY #2 out of El Alto passing through Batalla.
Soon we begin to see parts of Lower Lake Titicaca.
Lower Lake Titicaca. The lake is bordered by both Bolivia and Peru,
Lower Lake Titicaca
Michael shares some history and geography of Titicaca.
We are standing at approximately 13,000 above sea level
Cholita Grandma — Photo-Artistry by kenne
We had a little time before going through airport security at the Rurrenabaque Airport.
We chose the shade tree outside, rather than waiting inside the terminal.
On the shuttle to the runway, Tom is entertaining the young women.
Walking to the plane for our 30 minute flight over the Andes to La Paz.
The Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world.
Our last full day in Bolivia would be going to Lake Titicaca,
Michael Maldonado On His Phone.
Common to the architecture, the first floor is designed for commercial use.
Most of the buildings in El Alto did not exist a decade ago, 
Images by kenne (
Unloading at Rurrenabaque
A short walk to Pedro’s Berraco del Madidi Tours office.
It’s mid-day in Rurrenabaque.
Berraco del Madidi Tours office, where we were able to shower before having lunch.
Pedro’s staff. They served us well during our time in Madidi National Park.
Our guide and owner of Berraco del Madidi Amazon Adventure Tours, Pedro Macuapa. 
Traveling down the Beni River with a few jungle stops before returning to Rurrenabaque.
The bridge at Rurrenabaque, Bolivia — Images by kenne
Our Las Day In Madidi National Park — Images by kenne
