Amazing Adventures: Josh Renaud in Bolivia

Today was the culmination of a lot of work Yoli and I and her family have been doing in recent months: Yoli's parents received tourist visas so that they can come to America!

This is not a particularly easy process for Bolivians. It requires paperwork, making an appointment online with the embassy, and traveling to La Paz. That trip is no trifle: it is an extremely long bus ride, and it is high in the altiplano. Since Yoli's parents are older and because they live in Santa Cruz in the lowlands, we were very worried about altitude sickness.

They left Monday from Santa Cruz, and traveled first by bus to Cochabamba. Cochabamba is higher than Santa Cruz, but not so high as La Paz. They spent a day there sightseeing, in order to help their bodies acclimatize before continuing on.

They had to wake up early this morning (Thursday) in order to make sure they were at the embassy before the 8 a.m. appointment. I understand that Yoli's dad was on his knees praying much of the night! We all had a very real fear that they would be denied the visa. After all, when it comes to the embassy, you are guilty of wanting to become an illegal immigrant unless you can prove otherwise. We have heard many horror stories.

When they got to the embassy at 7 a.m., there were already 10 people in front of them in line. Ah, the benefits of age: the embassy folks moved Yoli's parents to the front of the line. Apparently they were treated well and not asked very many questions during the interview.

Anyway, this is exciting news. We aren't 100% sure when the visas' will take effect. We should know in a few days. Our assumption is that we will be able to have Yoli's parents visit beginning some time in June.

The Associated Press reports that a secret Israeli government document says Venezuela and Bolivia are supplying Iran with uranium.

I really hope this isn't true.

What will be the ramifications in terms of Bolivia's relationship with the United States?

UPDATE: Bolivia is forcefully denying the report. Here are some follow-up stories:

• Bolivia denies supplying Iran with uranium
• Bolivia confirms plans to explore for uranium
• Israel to sell 'war on Iran' plans at OAS?

Last Friday I received this email message from the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia:

This warden message is being issued to advise U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Bolivia that for the duration of the month during Bolivia's "carnaval" season, it is common to encounter groups of people throwing water balloons at both pedestrians and vehicles (sometimes frozen which can cause injuries). It is advisable to remain aware of your surroundings while walking and to avoid areas where people are congregating with water balloons, squirt guns, and other liquid projectiles. If you are in a vehicle, keep your windows rolled up while you drive around the city.

I got a firsthand taste of this in January 2005, when Yoli and I were traveling around the country just as Carnaval was beginning.

As we arrived in Sucre, kids began pelting the bus with water balloons. You might imagine that it's no problem to just keep your car or bus windows rolled up. But in Bolivia, January is the heart of summertime. It can be hot depending on which city you are in -- and bus/taxi rides are never air-conditioned.

Our windows were cracked just a little bit, but still I recall my leg being soaked. Some people on the other side of the bus got a lot more wet.

While we were in Sucre, we took pains to avoid kids (or young adult males) while we were in public. They were everywhere with their waterguns and water balloons. We were even blackmailed by a little kid who wanted 50 centavos or he was going to soak us. We pretended not to understand him.

Over on the weblog Barrio Flores, Eduardo tells a great story about an angry taxi driver who has to deal with the mobs of water-wielding teens.