| Wednesday, March 22, 2006 |
| Terrorist Attack Rocks La Paz |
I was expecting to have to reply to scores of e-mails assuring people that I'm totally fine, but apparantly countries that brown people live in aren't important enough to be in the headlines when a terrorist detonates a bomb in a hotel and kills two people. I'm sure if this had have happened inToronto or London or Chicago things would be very different.
I shit you not, this isn't another ploy of me trying to scare you all back home, this is for real. CNN was kind enough to do a short article on it on their website.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/03/22/Bolivia.blasts.reut/index.html
Patricia and I were walking to her house at about 9:45 last night, when all of a sudden there was this tremendous noise that came from a few kilometers away behind us. Now, normally noises that sound like a war breaking out are regular occurances in La Paz, as they're usually loud firecrackers or dynamite going off by trouble-seeking youth or at protests, but this one was freaking BIG. Everyone was looking around for a few seconds until this big pillar of smoke appeared from behind a skyscraper, which prevented us from seeing what had gone wrong. Word has it another went off at 2 in the morning at another hotel.
It wasn't until this morning that I found out that it was in fact a terrorist attack. I have no ideas on the details right now, except there have been two people (a guy and a girl) arrested as suspects in the incident (one American, one Uruguayan or Paraguayan) and that there's some people injured. The two dead havn't been identified yet.
I'm going out for dinner tonight with Patty and a Norweigan traveler, so we'll try to translate some of the newspapers so you guys can have more details. I've heard a few things about Arabian passports, Jewish travelers, or Arabs owning the hotels...it's all pretty unclear right now, but I'll give you all an update when I know what the hell happened.
I'm also going to e-mail the Vancouver Sun with my photos and see if they even give a damn.
I visited one of the bomb sites this morning and have pictures to prove it, take a look. Apparantly the other hotel that got bombed was almost totally destroyed.
 Don't worry, everything's cool right now. If anything bad starts happening or I feel like I'm in any danger I'll get the hell outta dodge. As I said, I'll supply more details as they come!!! Honestly everything's fine. Remember when Clare Carlson went to Nepal after the Nepali King dissolved the government and there were military soldiers on every street corner? She was fine :) Honestly, everything's cool.
I'll talk to you all sooooon!!!
ps: To end on a good note, I found a decent chinese restaurant called "Jackie Chan's" (awesome) and they're so authentically Chinese that they ever serve Jasmine tea!!! I was esctatic! |
posted by Ben @ 12:35 PM  |
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| 9 Comments: |
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Yes, I went to Nepal during the State of Emergency...but buildings weren't blowing up....
No one's talking about what happened in Bolivia...nor are they talking about the current Maoist blockade on Kathmandu.
Keep your eyes open, and stay safe.
I'll check the Vancouver Sun for your pictures.
*Claire
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Well, stay safe, Ben. I didn't hear shit about this... which angers me. Do you know how many emails I got about that ferry sinking last night (BC ferry sank last night on the way to Port Hardy. Nobody was badly hurt, except two people who were rescued are now unaccounted for)? Anyway, I'll troll around, see if I can find anything to send you.
Brianne.
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Ben: Thanks for the quick note advising that you are okay-the pictures were poignant-we need you to stay safe and are confident that you will exercise your good judgment. We miss you and hope you stay well. Thinking of you-Love Dad
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Oh dear!!! You don't need me to tell you to stay safe 'cause I know you will....right? Love Mom
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Hey Banjoman, you best keep that amulet close, eh? It's the most powerfully protective rune out there.
Wondering if maybe this is something to do with the American governement?
And how is it that only two died and four were injured when two hotels blow up? They obviously weren't getting very good business, which is fortunate, in these circumstances.
This has also been my first news of the Bolivian bombings, but then again I don't keep my ears open for much news anyway.
Keep safe
Love ya
Ellie
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Dear Ben: Finding your site and trip very educational - as you can imagine the American news wire is active this morning in response to yesterday's comments - great pictures - be safe.
Love Aunt Gloriann
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Dear Ben,
I have been reading your site and some material you are posting and find it most interesting - this morning the news wire a picking up the US response to yesterday's comments. Take care and be safe.
Love Gloriann
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Hey Ben!,
Hope you're staying safe in Bolivia...just wanted to check in... your entries are really interesting.. its a shame vancouver sun hasn't got back to you hopefully they will
Rhianna
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Yes, I went to Nepal during the State of Emergency...but buildings weren't blowing up....
No one's talking about what happened in Bolivia...nor are they talking about the current Maoist blockade on Kathmandu.
Keep your eyes open, and stay safe.
I'll check the Vancouver Sun for your pictures.
*Claire