Why do that Why would a little twenty year-old girl, living in Switzerland with a comfortable life go on the other side of the world to a developing country you might ask? I think that the first reason is that I needed a challenge in my life. At this moment I needed to get out of my little routine to know if I was able to do something crazy like that. The kinds of things that can give you a kick a little and open your eyes to the world. The shock of cultures and the reality of life When […]Read More »

Riberalta, the kingdom of the “moto” The best way to get around in the jungle is on a moto (and also the funnest). I am happy I bought a motorbike in La Paz as it has been more than useful over here. Maybe less happy about deciding to go from La Paz to Riberalta by motorbike (more than 900 km with unpaved roads and a lot, a lot, of dust). But this is part of the adventure! I love riding motorcycles. I have been riding for about 17 years now. Public transport is non existent in the city of Riberalta itself […]Read More »

The Aquicuana Reserve, with its many species of Amazonian flora and fauna, is a haven for birdwatching and research in Bolivia. So far, we have recorded 285 bird species in the Reserve, including first registers for certain species in this region of Bolivia. We still have many more to be identified. Just this past weekend I had the chance to join an international group of Brazilian and British ornithologists for an afternoon at the Reserve, spending 3 hours walking a forest trail. In just that short time we identified 4 new species to add to our checklist of recorded birds. […]Read More »

When you have been independent for several years, living in a family, with a different language and culture, becomes a rewarding and surprising experience on a daily basis. Thankfully, the family where I live accepted me but also my cultural differences. Family routine: the kid is king! In my host family life is punctuated by the work and centered on the child. As a result, during the week, since the child is having breakfast at school, everyone has breakfast whenever they want. But everyone gets together for lunch. The “mama” and her brother prepare delicious meals for lunch for all […]Read More »

Often a trip is considered has an extraordinary experience, and it is indeed. Must-see sites, boat trips, beaches, beautiful pictures … but all this is just a facade. Today I would like to talk about my immersion in Bolivia as a volunteer at Sustainable Bolivia. Beyond having additional professional experience, in a beautiful tropical setting, this adventure allowed me to discover a new meaning to the concept of travel. What was I looking for? : Leaving, visiting, and posting on social networks … I did it, and I continue to do so obviously today. Nevertheless, I was looking for more […]Read More »

As I traveled to Bolivia, I began to write about some of our cultural differences. When we decide to travel, we leave our cultural background to discover a new one. This involves learning a minimum about the local customs in order to avoid mistakes. Of course, this is what I feel and it is purely subjective even if I think some information might be useful if you come to Bolivia. The country is very diverse with marked differences between regions. The social interactions that one can have with the Bolivians will highly depend on where you are and who you […]Read More »

After a good week punctuated by meetings with the tourist institutions of Riberalta, it’s finally the weekend! Let show you how can be a classic Sunday in Riberalta! Brazilian coffee and fresh fruits for breakfast: a classic! The day starts with a delicious breakfast with Brazilian coffee, fresh fruits like pineapple, banana, some cheese and yuca bread (cuñape!) and finally fresh bread that looks like just a French baguette (my favourite, of course!) called Marequita. A perfect start for a Sunday! Then, I went to the second-hand market with Chloé and Bruno. After a little moto ride, we stroll in […]Read More »