I’m planning a trip to Bolivia for the referendum on August 10, probably arriving a week before and staying a week after. I’ve been many times to Bolivia in my “former life” and I speak pretty good spanish, but I’m still wondering on how best to use my time. It will be a self-assignment (at least, I’m still trying to find someone interested), so I won’t be able to afford extensive traveling within the country. I’m wondering whether it’s best to stay in La Paz / El Alto, or Sta Cruz (stronghold of the “independentists”), or maybe go to the smaller provinces (Tarija, Sucre, Potosi, Oruro ?). I’m more interested in the “street” angle than the high profile political conferences, I’d like to explore the different aspects of the current tensions in the country (regional, ethnic, social, economical, political). I’ve been reading the Bolivian newspapers online, following the various local referendums, but I’m not sure how this official referendum will unfold, will there be any campaigning, and also, what kind of accreditation might be necessary to access the polling stations ? Any advice would be very helpful !

Many thanks in advance !