Bolivia has Arrived

There was the military. There were colourful flags waving in the vast Andean sky. There were thousands of people. Indigenous people. Business people. Press people. Important people. So much color. So much culture. So much energy. Coca leaves were being chewed. There was music and dancing and chanting. Drums and flutes. The air was electric.

Then there was Evo.

It was a historical and surreal event at Tiwanaku, the awesome ancient backdrop to this ceremonial proclamation, two hours from La Paz city.

It was like you were transported back in time: experiencing an ancient and primitive ritual.

A helicopter carrying the Bolivian President flew overhead at precisely 1:00 pm. to a very excited crowd. As the mass of souls patiently waited for a glimpse of their leader their anticipation grew.

Traditionally dressed, the President emerged shortly on top of a hill waving to his ecstatic kingdom, being blessed by spirits and the indigenous elders and guides that surrounded him, protecting him like a newborn baby as if to welcome him into the new, very complex world.

I can't tell you exactly what happened there that day at the ruins of Tiawanaku, Bolivia, but I can say that it was a privilege to be there and to experience the fire, the passion, the triumph and possibly the birth of a new Bolivia.