Only in Bolivia, Potosi and Coincidences

As part of the best educational program that exists in the world, last weekend we went to Potosi for the elder's school. Even though it was entirely in Spanish (barring one word - "windows") I was able to understand and benefit from the program.

interesting stone fences

Along the way we got to see wonderful scenery.
Almost everywhere they had these interesting stone fences dividing up the landscape.  Most of them seemed unused and falling down.

We didn't know why they built them. Were they to serve as pens for the llamas, were they to separate farmers fields?  Finally we concluded they must have built them as they were clearing rock from the soil for their growing fields and they would have had the dual purpose of helping keep animals out of the fields.  Just our guess.

llamas everywhere

We also had an experience you could likely only have in Bolivia - we ran into a llama!  Yes, a llama. The brothers drivers side bumper and headlight took the brunt of the damage.  The llama's rear hindquarters took the other half.  I don't think the llama walked away from that  accident, but we didn't stop to see as the roads don't have shoulders to pull off.

They were everywhere along our route.

Utah like rock formation - very red soil

 Along the way the scenery reminded us of driving through Utah and Nevada - huge canyons with red soil and interesting rock formations.


We didn't get as many pictures of the great formations as we would have liked, we forgot to bring our camera again thus we had to use our tablets and cell phones.

Huge valleys, rolling hills

 The valleys and rolling hills went on for miles.  It also had some rich growing conditions with many fields of quinoa.











The town of Potosi is at about 4000 meters (15,500 feet) above sea level and was once a booming mining town.  In the mid 1600s it was one of the largest cities in the world with a population of about 200,000. Legend has it they could have built a bridge made of silver from Potosi to Spain with all the silver they extracted from 'Cerro Rico' (the rich hill).

In Potosi you can take mine tours.  The mining practices have not changed in the last couple hundred years. The miners are paid relatively well (compared to other occupations in Bolivia) but because of lack of protective equipment and poor safety regulations they have very short lifespans dying at 40 - 50 years of age because accidents or silicosis. Some brothers in our congregation used to work in the mines, starting at the age 12 years old!!!

typical Potosi Centro street

One of the interesting bell towers

Because of the history and wealth of the city, it is a lot more beautiful than Oruro and we saw many tourists.


The food choices are wonderful.  We ate at a pizza place with a brick, wood fired oven.  The pizza was the first good pizza we had in Bolivia (that Rachel didn't need to make).



A couple from England that have been in Oruro for the last year have been asked to move Potosi to help fill a need for elders.  The congregations there are large, still growing and need to split - but don't have enough servants in the congregations.  One special pioneer couple have contributed greatly to this growth.  Currently the wife (Rachel) has 20 studies and her husband (Ricky) has 9 studies.

Casa de Moneda (Money House - Mint)

At the elder's meeting I got talking to a few of the foreign brothers in the class.  I started out the day talking to a brother that has been in Sucre for the last five months.  After brief introductions I realized I know his brother and sister - and so will many of you!  His name is Mark Noble. Rachel went through pioneer school in Queretaro, Mexico with his brother (Colin Noble) and their sister currently lives on Salt Spring Island - Shawn Repp.  (the Salt Spring connection continues around the world).

As well, we had talked with Steve Allison before leaving for Bolivia and heard that his son was serving in Bolivia.  So we finally had the pleasure of meeting Keith too.

It is amazing how small the world in Jehovah's organization!

some of the singers

Before going away to Potosi we enjoyed having 3 groups of brothers over for practicing the new songs.  Not everyone here has internet or computers.  Thus, we ended up printing about 60 copies of the songs and inviting about 20 different brothers over to our house.  We were so happy at the last service meeting when everyone sung so loud and so well.

That was the meeting where Rachel had her first student talk (she nailed it!) and I had my first bible highlights.

That's all for now.