CHAPTER XVIII 



CROSSING THE BOLIVIAN HIGHLANDS FROM 

 COCHABAMBA TO THE CHAPARE 



COCHABAMBA is one of the more important cities of 

 Bolivia. In size it ranks next to La Paz, although it is 

 not nearly so modern, and in point of activity it is far in 

 advance of Sucre. The population is about thirty-five 

 thousand. 



The plain upon which the city is built was at one time 

 the bottom of a lake, which fact is indicated by its ancient 

 name of Oropeza, a Quechua word meaning "plain of the 

 lake." On account of its high elevation, which is approxi- 

 mately eight thousand five hundred feet above sea-level, 

 the region enjoys a mild climate; the average annual tem- 

 perature is 66 F. Rain falls in abundance during the 

 months from November to April; and during the dry 

 months irrigation is resorted to for providing water to the 

 fields of alfalfa and grain. The country is naturally of a 

 decidedly semiarid character. 



The city boasts a number of fairly modern buildings, al- 

 though by far the greater number are of the low adobe 

 type with thatched or tile roofs; delightful little plazas 

 filled with tropical trees and shrubbery relieve the monot- 

 ony of the rows of white edifices. 



The shops are filled with provisions and dry-goods at 

 remarkably low prices; the city market is supplied with a 

 superabundance of produce, flowers, and articles of native 

 manufacture; the people are courteous and obliging, and 

 the great numbers of Indians and Cholos give a touch of 

 gayety and color to the throngs which fill the streets. 



Among the city's institutions deserving of special men- 

 tion is the Cochabamba Institute, founded in 1911. The 

 instructors are nearly all Americans of the type one meets 



279 



