February 3, 2017 - A Tour of the Plaza 24 de Septiembre

February 3, 2017

A Tour of the Plaza 24 de Septiembre

Today, I just wanted to get out of the house.  One of the reasons I chose to live where I am now is because of the closeness of the Plaza.  I am only 9 blocks away, about a 15-minute walk.

The first thing you encounter at the Plaza is of course the Cathedral, the Basilica of San Lorenzo.  I searched online to find out how old the church is, but I still don’t know for sure.  It was repaired in 1770 and then rebuilt in 1838.  So you get the idea that it is old.

Going counter-clockwise from the Cathedral, you encounter La Pascana restaurant.  It is now part of the Senses Boutique Hotel, as is the Nice Cream (Nitrogen chilled Ice Cream).  What can I say about this place?  Modern, funky chic, in keeping with the Spanish Colonial theme.  I go to this restaurant about once a week, so much so, that the waiters know who I am and what I will probably order.

Along Calle Rene Moreno/24 de Septiembre, you can still see the Spanish Colonial colonnades, whose stores are filled in with money changers, banks, tourist shops, and the opening to a small mall.

Bolivar/Junin is now a pedestrian extension to the Plaza.  All over the plaza you see men shining shoes, friends meeting to play chess, or people just chatting.  Along this part of the Plaza are government buildings and guys changing money on the street corner.  I discovered they will cheat you, so I have found honest alternatives.

Along Independencia/Libertad are more government buildings and the Casa de Cultura, a theater for cultural events.

Next to the Plaza is another government building that used to be the city jail.  I don’t know where that is now.  The front is now in cheerful colors.  Behind this building is a new Plaza that has been built since I was here in the 80s, called Manzana 1 (City Block 1).  This is a complement to the funky chic of the Senses Boutique Hotel.  It is a little art gallery plaza that includes an art gallery that changes the art every few weeks.

The Plaza itself is a beautiful little Garden of Eden in the middle of Santa Cruz.  Beautiful flowers are blooming year-round.  There is the statue of General Warnes in the very center.  Only recently did I learn who he is and his importance to Santa Cruz.  Of course, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy time with your friends, or to feed the hundreds of pigeons that call it home. 

As you visit different hours of the day, you will discover that its character changes.  During the day, it is more sedate and businesslike.  That is when you are most likely to meet foreigners exploring this lovely corner of Bolivia.  At night, it comes alive as hundreds of Cruceños meet to enjoy the breezy evenings with friends and family.

Link to My Author Page on Amazon