Bolivia is not a wealthy country, and in the more rural areas (about 50% of the population lives there according to the most recent census) you won't find the basic amenities of electricity and running water. This is not the case in Sucre.
Everyone has cell phones. There are two types - standard monthly contracts like in the US or pre-paid credits that you can recharge at one of a hundred different small shops around the city. I have this amazing gem of a device, which is perfect for calls or texts and needs to be recharged once every 3 weeks:
The cell phone was by far my largest purchase while in Sucre at $30 which included a 10b credit. Texts are 25b centavos (a little more than 3 cents each) and calls to other cell phones are 20b centavos/min; based on my current usage I'm looking at $4/month to keep my phone active. One interesting aspect of buying a cell phone is that they require you to present a passport/ID to activate the service. There might be the argument that this prevents drug-dealers from conducting clandestine communication, but I don't think I want to test who they are watching by sending a sketchy text message condemning the honorable President Morales.
The supermarket prohibits pictures so you will have to take my word on this one, but a quick walk around revealed everything you would expect in a Safeway or Shaws.
As a whole you can live an exceptionally modern existence in Sucre. There is only one thing that would make living here a deal-breaker: you are stuck watching the play-by-play on Sundays.
Sucre is essentially a modern city. Aside from the 24/7 electricity and hot water, cable tv, high speed internet, and other toys that you are accustomed to can easily be obtained. Most houses have televisions, although personal computers are still a rarity. Instead, there are dozens of Internet cafes sprinkled throughout the city.
Frequently filled with Bolivian gamers
For 2bs an hour (a little less than 30 cents) you get access to dsl speed internet on computers that are from the mid 2000s. You won't be able to stream that episode of Pretty Little Liars you missed but it is plenty fast for email, facebook, and general browsing. And for those with WiFi capable devices there are a number of cafes with free, reliable WiFi.
Even WiFi in the park!
This one is a winner
The cell phone was by far my largest purchase while in Sucre at $30 which included a 10b credit. Texts are 25b centavos (a little more than 3 cents each) and calls to other cell phones are 20b centavos/min; based on my current usage I'm looking at $4/month to keep my phone active. One interesting aspect of buying a cell phone is that they require you to present a passport/ID to activate the service. There might be the argument that this prevents drug-dealers from conducting clandestine communication, but I don't think I want to test who they are watching by sending a sketchy text message condemning the honorable President Morales.
You can feel the excitement as she activates my phone
If you are looking to see the latest American movies the movie theater is here to accommodate your needs. This one legitimately surprised me... the movie posters I had seen on other Latin American trips featured movies that were a few months old in the states, but not the case here.
Don´t Jump!
As a whole you can live an exceptionally modern existence in Sucre. There is only one thing that would make living here a deal-breaker: you are stuck watching the play-by-play on Sundays.
Jejeje!! Your photo captions kill me
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