Independence Day!

August 6 is Independence Day in Bolivia.

On Saturday night there is a small parade here in Sipe Sipe where the participants carry lanterns either with their school emblem or the Bolivia flag lit up.  I really enjoy it, but people moving quickly in the dark just doesn't lend itself to photos.  Sunday morning was our big parade (leaving Monday August 6 a holiday with no obligations).

Much of Bolivia's traditional dress and culture is on display in the parades.  Here a local school child wears the costume for the "Diablada" or Dance to the Devil.  The Diablada is the signature dance from the Bolivian state of Oruro which is a heavy mining area.  Rather than having a patron saint or virgin, the state where so many people are employed below ground has chosen to represent the god of the underworld.

Many schools on parade were lead by a young girl, always in light blue and always in chains.  I hadn't seen this before and asked around about the symbolism.  Unfortunately nobody knew.

David, one of the BLC boys, carried the Bolivian flag in front of his class.  This symbolizes that he is the top student!  A couple of our older boys also carried the flag for their grades as well.

Carlos is our only boy in band this year.

Wilder actually called me over to get his picture taken.

Most of the older boys aren't keen on the white girl taking their pictures with so many of their classmates around... occasionally I get a poser though!  Thank you Jhonny.

I'm afraid Erlan has had the same tie since kindergarten...