Bolivia is characterized by simplicity. Transportation is simple (BOA has no first class seats!)—buses are the preferred method of getting around. Farming has been organic forever because no one has access to insecticides! Books are copied with abandon because no one can afford the price of new books—the idea of copyright is considered unjust! Cocoa is grown and chewed freely because it helps reduce the effects of altitude sickness—the drug problem exists in other countries after the cocoa is greatly altered and processed. Building facilities are generally simple, barebones, with little thought for frivolous details.

Let me give you some examples of this simplicity with some pictures from my recent teaching in Oruro:

Simple facilities! No fancy classrooms or technology–a definite absence of personal computers! Just desks, chalkboards, paper, and pens! But also keen hearts with a desire to learn! In this case simplicity wins out over complexity!

Good reminders from the heart of South America. Keeping it simple is often the best route. What is most essential is the quality of the heart or one’s desire. ‘To will one thing,’ the philosopher wrote. Another wrote, ‘It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.’ Stuff can’t replace that which is central–a passion to grow, understand, expand one’s mind!