Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIV. Shortest route to the Pacific coast from Cochabamba--Journey to Sucre via Totora determined upon--Leave Cochabamba in one of Haviland and Kcay's coaches--Dangers of the journey--Tarata and Cliza--The pampas compared to the plains of Central India--Punata--Senor Manuel Arauco, his house, family, museum, etc.--Manufacture of felt hats, ponchos, etc. -- Arani--Lagoons near Vacas--Irrigation works--New road between Arani aud Totora--Pocona--Totora-- Proposed road from Totora to the river Chimore--Probable future system of roads in the east of Bolivia--Misque--Ravines and rivercourses used as roads--Aiquile--Chinguri--Quiroga--Palca-- Cuestas Jaboncillo and Masa-Cruz--Canto Molino--Thermal spring of Huata --First view of Sucre. From Cochabamba, the shortest route across the republic to the Pacific coast, is to go by Oruro to Tacna and Arica, and the road is a regularly travelled one, with posting-houses, which I have been told are the best in Bolivia. My business obliged me to visit Sucre, and I determined to make a round by Totora and Misque, in order to see a new cart-road that was in course of construction from Arani to Totora, at which place I hoped to obtain some information as to the practicability of a road from thence to the Chimord, the proposed new port for the navigation enterprise of the Madeira River. The only means of travelling in the interior of Bolivia is by mules; so I bargained with an arriero for the necessary animals for the journey to Sucre, at the rate of fifteen pesos, about 2 8s., for each animal, the arriero having to provide forage at his own expense. This is the best bargain to make, but the arrieros prefer getting the traveller to buy the forage, so that, acting in collusion with the villagers...