Crazy Bolivian facts
Some interesting political facts: the country had 175 presidents in 175 years of independence! One president ruled for only 6 hours while there were once 3 presidents at the same time. One president was illiterate and ruled for 7 years - he was not too bright. He exchanged, for instance, a huge portion of land for a horse.
The economy is more stable now with inflation around 10% per year, down from 10000% in 1985 when the military ruled. They tried to alleviate poverty by just printing more money!
Coca leaf production (the major component of cocaine) used to be the country's major export together with cocaine. The country lost about $500million per year due to the US funded war on drugs and currently finds itself in a recession.
Coca leaves are not illegal and local people chew it to alleviate hunger and thirst and tiredness, especially at higher altitudes. Janine had some coca tea which may explain her strange behaviour recently (just kidding about the behaviour, not the tea!).
Some other funny stories: In Bolivia, people drive on the right hand side of the road with their steering wheels on the left hand side of their cars. They, however, did import some cheaper cars with right hand side steering. All they did was move the steering wheel to the left hand side. The instruments stayed on the right!
We first found it strange that many traditional local women wear men's British bowler hats. Apparently someone imported these hats in the 19th century for men, but he imported way to much. He then convinced the local upper class women that this was the latest European fashion, turning them into eager buyers for his product! Current day peasants mimic the then trends of the upper class women. They all wear ornate layered skirts, shawls and, of course, the bowler hats.
The economy is more stable now with inflation around 10% per year, down from 10000% in 1985 when the military ruled. They tried to alleviate poverty by just printing more money!
Coca leaf production (the major component of cocaine) used to be the country's major export together with cocaine. The country lost about $500million per year due to the US funded war on drugs and currently finds itself in a recession.
Coca leaves are not illegal and local people chew it to alleviate hunger and thirst and tiredness, especially at higher altitudes. Janine had some coca tea which may explain her strange behaviour recently (just kidding about the behaviour, not the tea!).
Some other funny stories: In Bolivia, people drive on the right hand side of the road with their steering wheels on the left hand side of their cars. They, however, did import some cheaper cars with right hand side steering. All they did was move the steering wheel to the left hand side. The instruments stayed on the right!
We first found it strange that many traditional local women wear men's British bowler hats. Apparently someone imported these hats in the 19th century for men, but he imported way to much. He then convinced the local upper class women that this was the latest European fashion, turning them into eager buyers for his product! Current day peasants mimic the then trends of the upper class women. They all wear ornate layered skirts, shawls and, of course, the bowler hats.
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