Comments on: 7 facts of expat life in Bolivia

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:10:02 +0000

Brilliant and hysterical article!! How I miss Bolivia….

By: The 10 Cheapest Cities in the World 2011

The 10 Cheapest Cities in the World 2011 — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:10:22 +0000

[...] Hal’s 7 Facts of Expat Life in Bolivia for more [...]

By: Photo Essay: Salt Flats and Chemical Lakes in Southwest Bolivia

Photo Essay: Salt Flats and Chemical Lakes in Southwest Bolivia — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:20:47 +0000

[...] a few beers in a Halifax bar to convince me to tag along for a month’s journey through Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. Though this was not nearly enough time to appreciate each country, Bolivia was my [...]

By: La Diablada Parade, La Paz, Bolivia.

La Diablada Parade, La Paz, Bolivia. — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:26:04 +0000

[...] is a savvy travelers shangri la. Hal Amen, our man in Bolivia, gives us the skinny in 7 Facts of Expat Life in Bolivia and lends a helping hand to Sustainable Bolivia. Talk Big Bolivian Sunsets with TNB and [...]

By: Hal Amen

Hal Amen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:42:55 +0000

You’re absolutely right on both points. I believe there was an actual official McD’s (whatever the spelling) in La Paz up until 2002 or so, when they scaled back their presence in some of the world’s poorer countries.

And yes, on the whole, Bolivian people very welcoming–even (or especially) in the middle of nowhere.

By: darngooddigs

darngooddigs — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:12:49 +0000

If I remember right, there was a McDonal’s in La Paz – note the missing “D” – that was back in 1991, when I was in La Paz after graduating from high school. The long arm of corporate American trademark protection might have gotten stronger in the almost 20 years since I was in Bolivia.

I have to say I haven’t been back as an adult, but for a high school kid from Pennsylvania, Bolivia blew me away. It was completely different than anything I had ever seen, or even heard of. I stayed with a family at the time, for 7 weeks, and the one thing I’m not sure if your article captures is how friendly and welcoming so many people there are.

By: Jon Brandt

Jon Brandt — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:39:36 +0000

Very cool post, Hal. I especially like the part about the chola falling asleep on you. I can relate to that from Ecuador. Say what you want, but there are so many things you suddenly miss that were more just along the lines of “funny to have been there” moments once you leave.

By: Fei An Tjan

Fei An Tjan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:49:58 +0000

HAHAHA, this is great and I recognize so much of it! I haven’t had the altiplano excuses for dysfunctional internet connections and I think I did see one or two Mc Donalds in my 5 months there. I actually thought that was great!

And yes, for a split second I thought I had fried my MacBook too! : )

More living and volunteering in Bolivia on my Blog:
http://www.uvolunteer.org/volunteer-life/category/bolivia/

By: Ryukyu Mike

Ryukyu Mike — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:33:50 +0000

Whaaa, I want a MacBook !!!

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:05:25 +0000

Very enjoyable article, raises my interest in visiting this fascinating country. The only real suggestion I have on the article would be to change “So, no, you haven’t fried your MacBook” to “So, no, you haven’t fried your laptop” – contrary to popular belief, not everyone owns (or wants) a MacBook. This way your article would be more inclusive for everyone.