Mar 25 - Sucre Capital of Bolivia - Who Knew ?

Sucre, Bolivia 25 March 2017

Today we left Potosi to head to Sucre, the constitutional capital city of Bolivia (who knew – we all thought it was La Paz !). Aparently, Bolivia is the only country with two capitals. Sucre is the constitutional capital and La Paz the administrative capital where the government sits. Sucre is our guide David’s home city so he has promised great things about it.

It is a pretty colonial stucco city with a central square of great importance as this was where Bolivian independence was declared, 

It is a Unesco World Heritage site and as such is well maintained in the traditional styles.  Our hotel was a pretty little colonial mansion casona with a leafy courtyard with a fountain with the rooms set round it just 5 mins walk from the main square.

Although we had originally planned to find our own way round in our 3 days here, David our guide was now like part of the family and we asked him to show us round the first afternoon. Another church climbing exercise (but we were ready for him this time !) We went round the

San Franciscan church which is now a girls school, very beautiful building with lovely courtyards and then climbed skywards – considerably less hairy then yesterday’s escapade !

Great views over the city and an easy place to point out all the key sites done, we headed back down to street level to the main square. David then pointed out the bell tower where independence was announced from and the bell is split in two. The legend says that the two brothers spreading the news hit the bell so hard the bell split. Love his stories !!

From there, on to the local market which was a riot of noise, colour, smells and sights ! 

The best smoothies and milk shakes on the planet
...possibly!

David explained that the indigenous locals all have their favourite stalls and call the person who runs it their “Casera“ and they are loyal to them as they get the pick of the best produce. We met his fruit casera and tried some of the local fruits before moving on to his juice casera where we all tried some of the local juices. Very yum and great fun !

"The Flower Girl"

The market had a beautiful flower section as well as many spices, fruit and vegetables.




From there onto the Chocolate shop – even better. They make the most beautiful artisan chocolate here. The aroma walking into the shop was enough on its own !! We bought a small amount just to keep us going….

Then through the park which is called the French park to commemorate the links of the rich couple who were the original Sucre philanthropists to France which was their favourite country.

There is a monument in the middle which looks a bit like a mini Eiffel Tower and the reason is it was designed by Gustav Eiffel at the request of this couple. A very odd thing to find in the middle of Sucre !

By the end of this we were ready for dinner ! In the evening we headed down to the main square area and found a cute little patio restaurant and had beers and pico a lo mache which is a sharing plate of meats, spicy sauce with a heap of French fried buried underneath!  Very healthy – not ….

Steve didn’t make it – altitude was shaping up to be his worat enemy and the 4100m mine expedition had not helped.

Great first day in Sucre

"The friendly spice lady"

Bright coloured wools and textiles are
characteristic of the country

We enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie from our Casara