Culture Shock! Bolivia

by Cramer, Mark

• ISBN13: 9780761424888
• ISBN10: 0761424881
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-02-15
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Intl

Summary

CultureShock! Bolivia provides readers with a thorough understanding of this South American country, a nation steeped in history, culture, and tradition. Containing pages of useful information, advice, tips and resources, this book will guide you through the social and psychic adjustment necessary when moving to Bolivia. Learn, first and foremost, how to deal with soroche (altitude sickness), then understand the importance to the Bolivians of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and how she influences festivals and joyous occasions. Discover how to interact with the many diverse cultures, from Kallawayas to Cholas and Cholos to Aymara and Quechua, to name a few. Adapt to the Bolivian concept of time, understand the Bolivian love affair with soccer, and adopt the light-hearted response needed with water balloons at fiestas. This guide will lead nature lovers through the paved trails used by Incas over 2,000 years ago and prompt the question: can an untrained climber reach the peak of Mount Illimani? Whatever your needs or interests, CultureShock! Bolivia has the answer and you'll soon learn not to take a single breath for granted in this diverse and spectacular country. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. vi
Acknowledgements	p. xi
Map of Bolivia	p. xii
First Impressions	p. 1
Overview of Land and History	p. 6
Setting	p. 7
Regions: the World in Microcosm	p. 9
Temperature Zones: Keeping it Simple	p. 13
Che Guevara	p. 15
Altitude and the Brazilian Football Team	p. 16
Finding Your Level	p. 18
Human Plants	p. 18
What Goes Down Must Come Up	p. 20
Travel Advisory	p. 21
Exotic Gas	p. 23
Wilderness Challengers	p. 26
Coca and Other Conflicts	p. 26
Foreign Relations and Bolivian Law	p. 28
Economic Realities	p. 29
Class Struggle a la Boliviana	p. 35
The Political Landscape	p. 37
The Chronology of Transformation	p. 38
Culture and Tourism	p. 46
The Bolivian People	p. 49
Characters	p. 50
The Celebrity Industry	p. 51
Stereotypes and Rivalries	p. 80
The Social Setting	p. 91
Evolution in First Gear	p. 92
Setting In	p. 110
Immigration and Customs	p. 111
Health	p. 113
Currency and Money	p. 119
Consumer Goods	p. 120
Hotels	p. 121
Transportation	p. 121
Clothing	p. 123
The Postal System	p. 124
Telecommunications	p. 124
Housing	p. 125
Children	p. 126
Dogs in the 'Hood	p. 128
Crime Time	p. 130
Interiors	p. 130
The Food of Bolivia	p. 132
Food	p. 133
Drinking and Socialising	p. 138
Enjoying Bolivia	p. 143
Festivals	p. 144
Getting Involved	p. 154
La Paz: The Great Hole	p. 156
From Highland to Jungle: Alternative Cities	p. 178
High Valley Cities	p. 188
Lowland Cities	p. 196
Bolivia Plays Hard to Get	p. 200
Tours for People who Don't Like Tours	p. 217
Learning the Language	p. 230
Spanish Language	p. 231
Language and Titles	p. 237
The Business of Language	p. 238
Working in Bolivia	p. 240
Business As Not Usual	p. 241
The Art of Waiting	p. 242
Who Do You Know?	p. 243
Cultivating Contacts	p. 243
Practical Business/Social Tips	p. 244
Titles	p. 245
Business Climate: Exports	p. 245
The Curse of Oil	p. 245
The Raw Reality of Raw Materials	p. 246
Business Climate: Internal Economy	p. 249
Fast Facts About Bolivia	p. 252
Famous People	p. 256
Acronyms	p. 257
Country Statistics: Superlative Fact Sheet	p. 260
Culture Quiz	p. 261
Do's and Don'ts	p. 268
Glossary	p. 270
Resource Guide	p. 274
Further Reading	p. 295
About the Author	p. 297
Index	p. 298
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