viiiecosystems exist within this one country. In some places,
a short bus ride or a robust hike can take you from one
climate to another. An abundance of medicinal herbs and
nutritious grains attract alternative health researchers, and
new animal species are being discovered in Bolivia’s chaste,
sensual hinterlands.
Authenticity
Bolivia has unusual tourist attractions, but as yet, no tourist
‘schlock’. Neither ancient ruins nor fossilised dinosaur
tracks have been converted into theme parks. Vast and
stunning national parks and protected areas remain
virtually unexplored.
Alternative economies
Bolivia’s economy is wide open. With both orthodox statism
and transnational capitalism having failed, minds are open
for new economic models. A business person who can
produce a value-added export (as opposed to exporting raw
materials neo-colonial style) will be considered an asset
to the country and new ideas for expanding ecofriendly
internal production and consumption are encouraged.
Arts
Bolivia is a feast for the eyes and the ears, as its arts and
music fl ourish, both indigenous and Euro-indigenous, at
home and abroad. Bolivia has a small but dedicated art-
cinema industry, the quality of whose product far exceeds
the meagre resources. Regional textiles add a colourful
complexity to the daily context.
Hiking and trekking
Throughout this trekkers’ paradise are stone paved trails
originally used by the Incas over 2,000 years ago. Within
this proverbial ‘middle of nowhere’ one might enter a
mining town with a Wild West atmosphere, or an indigenous
village with a centuries-old irrigation system that inspires
the awe of modern agronomists. Even the day hiker can
come across rapids carving through contorted canyons,
untouched glaciers and rarely visited ruins.
Cost of living
Bolivia is among the least expensive countries in the
world, especially for basic necessities. A fi xed incomeBOLIVIA.indb viii 7/13/10 2:47:16 PM