Bolivian Street Photography: The Twinkle in her eye

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Bolivia has the largest indigenous population in South America with an estimated 60% of her population claiming indigenous descent. In La Paz, the most prominent indigenous culture is the Aymara who are known for their rich, highland culture and colorful handicrafts.

Walking down the streets of La Paz, the landscape is awash is brilliant colors of tapestries, handwoven scarves, hats and sweaters, and tiny little street side shops and stalls run by the local Aymara women. Cholitas dressed in wide, layered skirts, a brightly colored handwoven blanket along the back and an English-style brown bowler hat atop their head, line the streets waiting expectantly for a sale.

I saw her alone, seated next to a small street side shop and a bucket of colorful dolls. I knew I’d have to stop and say hello and maybe purchase a doll for my daughter.

She was so beautiful. And when she smiled brightly she had a twinkle of joy in her eyes

I picked out the perfect doll for Sophia. And asked if I could take one more photo of this lovely woman who happily agreed.

I knew I’d be doing much more shopping down the labyrinth streets of La Paz. There were so many alleys to explore, so many colors, and so many brilliant smiles. It was a photographer’s dream.

Stay tuned…

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Twinkle. To view more entries, click here.

57 thoughts on “Bolivian Street Photography: The Twinkle in her eye”

  1. restlessjo – Hi! I’m Jo! Johanna when I’m feeling posh, Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family. A bit of a mix-up, that’s me. The one constant, however, is my restless nature. I love to travel and to explore our world. It doesn’t have to be the big wide world. I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m seeking new horizons. Of course I have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying to share my experiences and to make new friends who shared my passion for travel. Alas, Simonseeks hit a few troubles, but I still find myself writing about my travels. I’ve become addicted. I’d love to share them, and to make more friends. So, it has to be a blog- right? Or do I mean- write?
    restlessjo on said:

    Did Sophia love the doll? Or is it for Christmas? 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes she did! I actually bought her two! 🙂 I love to get her handmade dolls from my travels.:)

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sally!

      Reply ↓
  3. scillagrace – Oregon – I began this blog when I entered my 50th year of life. I have always enjoyed writing and taking photographs. My sister did a profound personal photo project the year she was turning 50, so once again, I followed in her footsteps, taking her idea and doing it my way. My life has changed dramatically in recent years, and I have changed with it. My husband died, my kids moved out, I sold our home and moved to Wisconsin, then followed my kids to Oregon. I suppose I have a lot to process, and I'm sure there will be more.
    scillagrace on said:

    Did you really stop to say “help” or is that your computer helping you out with “hello”? 😉

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Darn it! I swear I typed hello. I need a proofreader besides me! Thank you for being mine! 🙂 Then again maybe I should have said help because my daughter asked for two dolls!

      Reply ↓
      • scillagrace – Oregon – I began this blog when I entered my 50th year of life. I have always enjoyed writing and taking photographs. My sister did a profound personal photo project the year she was turning 50, so once again, I followed in her footsteps, taking her idea and doing it my way. My life has changed dramatically in recent years, and I have changed with it. My husband died, my kids moved out, I sold our home and moved to Wisconsin, then followed my kids to Oregon. I suppose I have a lot to process, and I'm sure there will be more.
        scillagrace on said:

        Did a stint as a professional proofreader, and I can’t seem to break the habit. Thanks for humoring me.

      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Oh….but I feel slightly silly! Should be doing a better job at re-reading my stuff! Then again…when I have such a fabulous proofreader and I’m making you giggle, then perhaps I should continue to add a few typos! 🙂 The iPhone is the worst! you should see all the typos I make with that! 🙂

  4. Pingback: Twinkle – URL’s | INSPIRING my EMOTIONS

  5. The pics are so colourful, and it has so much character.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! Bolivia is one of the most colorful places I’ve ever been! It is bursting at the seams with color!

      Reply ↓

  6. A beautiful post Nicole, full of color, life and joy. Her beautiful smile twinkled as much as her eyes did. I’d love to go to La Paz one day. Looks like it will have join the bucket list. Warm wishes, as always.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Andrew! I loved La Paz. It is so unusual but what I liked most of all was the amazing color. It is everywhere!!!

      Reply ↓
  7. lulu – Houston, TX & Rockport, ME – I am a fiber artist with special emphasis on weaving, but I love working with threads and cloth in a variety of mediums. New ideas, new ways of connecting threads are the spice of life.
    lulu on said:

    Have you done mission work in Bolivia? It is a most rewarding experience.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      No! I would love to though. Point me to your posts as I’d love to read them!

      Reply ↓
      • lulu – Houston, TX & Rockport, ME – I am a fiber artist with special emphasis on weaving, but I love working with threads and cloth in a variety of mediums. New ideas, new ways of connecting threads are the spice of life.
        lulu on said:

        I have no posts on Bolivia. I had not started the blog then.

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the reblog! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Angeline! Yes it was. I think La Paz is the most colorful place I’ve ever been. It was bursting with color everywhere I looked. True sensory overload but magical!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes she was very lovely! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  12. No wonder she’s got a twinkle in her eye – it looks like she has a full set of gold teeth!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Ha Ha! Yes she does! Very observant! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  13. mlblogsredsoxlady35/lighthousekat – Lynn Haven – I enjoy reading, writing blogs, short stories and taking photos. I enjoy talking walks on the beach feeling sand on my feet but most of all watching the water hit the beach with swish of motion.
    mlblogsredsoxlady35 on said:

    Awesome story and pictures it looks like she could tell a lot of stories about what she has seen in her life on that very spot. Thanks for sharing. Kat

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Kat! Glad you enjoyed.

      Reply ↓
  14. Ruth – Retired from Pittsburgh Public Schools Visual Art/photography teacher, photographer, knitter, reader, cook,baker, poet, filmmaker, Grandmother, traveler, Friend,
    Ruth on said:

    Wonderful response for Twinkle challenge. Unique!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you Ruth!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks!

      Reply ↓

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  20. This post made me smile Nicole, all the colors, the warm, inviting culture, but more so that you and your father were able to share this experience together. I am thrilled for you both! 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Oh thanks LuAnn! 🙂 What a trip!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sue!

      Reply ↓
  22. anotherday2paradise – Durban South Africa and Florida USA – I enjoy writing about absolutely anything, and started blogging with WordPress in 2012. This was my 'Hammock Lady' blog, and I really enjoyed sharing my travels here: http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/ In November 2013, I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so I started my blog afresh, and here it is. I love to travel, and have been fortunate enough to do two round-the-world trips and visit more than forty countries so far. This year we visited our 7th continent, Antarctica. I enjoy photographing wildlife, especially in my backyard in Florida. I was born and brought up in England. My husband and I emigrated to South Africa in 1970. We now live in Florida, USA. I have a son and a daughter and five gorgeous grandchildren currently aged between 6 and 21 years. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to visit my blog, and would love for you to join me on my travels. Sylvia.
    anotherday2paradise on said:

    Beautiful lady, and she certainly has a very sparkly smile. Your photos brought back great memories. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Wonderful Sylvia! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  23. Leslee Jaeger – Minnesota – Ob/gyn physician, mom to both bio and adopted kids, passionate about women's health care both domestic and international. Love to travel, explore new foods and cultures.
    Leslee Jaeger on said:

    I have been on that same street in LaPaz but found that many of the women weren’t fond of having their pics taken. Most of my pics are the rear view of the bowler hats and dresses! Were you able to visit the Witche’s Market? That is surely worth a few pics.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes, I read that many people are superstitious of photos. I either just took ones on the street or in this case if it was a close up, asked. The Witch’s market is crazy! All those llama fetuses! And we also toured the Black market which was even stranger. More posts coming soon!

      Reply ↓

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  25. Tina Schell – I am passionate about photography, love traveling and exploring new places and faces, and seeing the world from different perspectives. My lens is always on the lookout for something beautiful or interesting.
    Tina Schell on said:

    What a lovely shot – good for you!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Tina!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! I loved all the colors in these shots. 🙂

      Reply ↓

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  32. That last image is one of my favorites I’ve seen on your blog so far — and you’ve shot some truly stunning photos! — because it shows a genuine connection between you and your subject. The beautiful smile on that woman speaks volumes. Well done!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      THank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words!!! Yes we did connect and it was one of those wonderful moments when traveling.

      Reply ↓

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