Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sucre Part II (Saturday Trip)

 On our walk to the castle

 So on our Saturday in Sucre I went on a hike outside of the city to a castle with another student and the director of our Spanish school and his niece and nephew. David was unfortunately home....ughh...on the toilet....


 Also on the walk to the castle

Apparently there are two capitals in Bolivia. The people of Sucre will tell you that Sucre is the true capital.  It has always held the judicial branch of government; however, the other two branches are in La Paz (apparently there people will tell you La Paz is the true capital). Several years ago there was a movement to bring all of the branches of government to Sucre; many students marched in the streets during this movement. At this spot the national police where brought in to stop the students and many students died during the march. This is a monument built at that point along the road.


 The Castle!

Notice the tallest tower in the background that is partially cut off...


 The view from the top of the tower in the previous picture

The blue and orange-ish building in the background used to be an orphanage. Apparently there was only one family to ever live in the castle, a wealthy husband and wife.  They used their money to perform many good deeds in and around Sucre, including building the orphanage. Apparently because the people of Sucre loved them so much (and because they were quite wealthy) they were given the title of king and queen


 The staircase up to the top of the tower
....Mom I thought you would enjoy this


 The only cemetery in Sucre....near the front of the cemetery

After the castle we took a bus back to Sucre and were given a tour of the cemetery. It is the only cemetery in Sucre and it immediately reminded me of cemeteries in New Orleans. Everything is above ground; the wealthier families are in the front and poorer families are in the back.


 Near the front...tomb of one of the wealthiest men ever in Sucre


The back of the cemetery

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