Stories about Latin America from August, 2008
Bolivia: Bloguivianos 2008
The 2008 version of the national bloggers conference called “Bloguivianos [es]” will be held in La Paz and El Alto, Bolivia on August 29 and 30.
Bolivia: No Strike in Yapacani
The blogger Idolo from Yapacani, a province in the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia writes that “there is no stike here [es]” and that the majority of his town did not join the strike called by the president of the civic commitee in support of civic leaders of the departmental...
China: Watching women's volleyball
Thanks to Bill Bishop at the MarketWatch Olympic Blog, we are given a recount of a day at the beach watching the US, Brazil and China's women's volleyball teams in the semi-finals. Not just that, Bill points us to a link that shows what the Beach Babes cheerleaders had to...
Barbados: Environmental Management
“We don’t have much to sell to the tourists on this island except our natural beauty, and lately that beauty is becoming difficult to see with walls of condos blocking the seaview and garbage piles taking care of the rest of the island”: Taking a cue from Brazil, Barbados Free...
Dominican Republic: Overview of Twitter
Claudia Chez of My 2 K Cents [es] provides an overview of the 231 Dominican users of Twitter. Approximately 45% have their own blogs or other personal pages.
Peru: Children's Play Inside a Moving Bus
Perú Vas? presents Pequito and the Key of Seven Years, which is the first children's play that will take place inside a moving bus, writes Elizabeth Lino of Te Voy a Contar [es].
Venezuela: No Gas to Cook
RomRod [es] writes that Venezuela is a petroleum state, yet he does not have gas in order to cook. The cost of gas is inexpensive, but it is difficult to obtain.
Costa Rica: Cancer Patient Update
The anonymous cancer patient from Costa Rica that has been documenting his illness at Diario de Un Enfermo de Cáncer [es] updates his readers after his recent surgery, which indicated that doctors found the cancer early enough to start preventative treatment, which was a relief to him and his family.
Paraguay: Following Lugo's Inauguration on Flickr
Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo started the use of Flickr in January 2008 as a way to document his appearances during the campaign. After being sworn in as the new president of his country on August 15, he continues to use this citizen's media tool. Nearly 2,500 photos later and all licensed under Creative Commons, Lugo hopes to share his presidency with Paraguayans at home and abroad.
Brazil: The bronze is ours
Making fun of the Brazilian athletes’ accomplishment in the Beijing Olympic Games, a new blog was created: Bronze Brasil 2008. “With the achievement of our fifth bronze medal, our dream of beating the Olympic record seems to be drawing close. There are only 5 medals. There are 6 days of...
Cuba: Domestic Tourism
“In the absence of tourist offices where a Cuban citizen can arrange – in Cuban pesos – an excursion in his own country, private resourcefulness has addressed this ‘market niche'”: Yoani Sanchez visits Soroa “on a trip coordinated by one of these emerging ‘tour operators'”.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Fay Warning
“Kerosene lamps? Check. Gallons of water? Check. Transistor radio? Batteries? Check. Candles? Check. I'm not gonna kid you, folks, it's still scary”: Cuban diaspora blogger Ninety miles away…in another country readies himself for the possible impact of Tropical Storm Fay.
Brazil: Farewell to Dorival Caymmi
YouTube user imperadorminas pays homage to Dorival Caymmi, one of the most important songwriters in Brazilian popular music, who died yesterday August 16, aged 94.
Angola, Brazil: A culture shock divide
Angola and Brazil's special relationship means that business between the two former Portuguese colonies is booming - as well as migration both ways across the Atlantic. But, how are these two sibling peoples getting on? This post offers the perspectives of both an Angolan and a Brazilian blogger living in Luanda.
Peru: One Year After the Pisco Earthquake
One year after a powerful earthquake struck the southern part of Peru, many bloggers look back and note the lack of progress. Most of the blame falls on the local, regional, and national governmental officials that often promised a lot, but delivered very little. However, other bloggers remember the mobilization by Peruvians at home and abroad.
Haiti, Cuba: Tropical Storm Fay
Haitian blog Pwoje Eswpa says that Tropical Storm Fay is beyond the island, but “we are drenched and the winds are still pretty strong”, while Cuban diaspora blogger Babalu is concerned about the approaching storm.
AIDS 2008: Lifting the Travel Ban on HIV-Positive People
The XVII International AIDS Conference ended in Mexico City last week, leaving participants with much to focus on until the next conference, which takes place in Vienna in 2010. One of these areas of focus are the travel restrictions imposed on HIV-positive people entering a country for the short or...
China: Boxing heavyweights!
MySpacer Dr. O spent last night watching the super heavyweight boxing matches. Algeria's coach got kicked out. Legendary Cuban boxing star Teófilo Stevenson was there! See it all in Dr. O's video and photos and: “The last big kick of the night was the Chinese Zhang Zhilei – all 6'7″...
Bolivia: International Book Fair in La Paz
Cristina Quisbert blogs from the 13th International Book Fair being held in La Paz, Bolivia [es]. She notes that the Vice-President Alvaro Garcia Linera hopes that the ability to buy books is not the privilege of just a few.
Peru: Amazonian Indigenous Groups Protest New Governmental Decrees
The Aguaruna indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon is protesting several governmental decrees that some say would make it easier for the government and oil companies to have access to their lands. By occupying a petroleum station, this group has attracted the support of other indigenous groups in the region and they draw attention to the effects caused by the oil companies.
Paraguay: Last Day in Power for Colorado Party
August 14 was the last day that the Colorado Party would be in power, as the new administration of Fernando Lugo is set to begin a new era in Paraguay, and with that a new hope, writes Liam of Políticamente Incorrecto [es].
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