San José de Chiquitos

Trip Start Jul 05, 2009
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Trip End Jul 04, 2010


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Flag of Bolivia  , Santa Cruz,
Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Our last stop on the Jesuit Missions yet again felt far removed from the ways and culture of the Bolivian antiplano. Shortly after arriving we found a room just off the plaza which felt like utter luxury after the excuse for a bed in San Ignacio. I was genuinely happy to see the room had a fan and a private, all be it, dirty bathroom. The Pièce de résistance had to be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles bedsheets. For these privileges we paid an extra two quid a night. Worth every penny.

The church itself really stood out from the others on the circuit. Until we went inside and saw familiar baroque carvings San Jose didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the tour. Apparently, it bears more resemblance to missions in Paraguay and Argentina. However, these other missions are now mere ruins and this remains the only example stone mission architecture in South America
Bell Tower, Sun
Bell Tower, Sun
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From the outside San Jose was really stunning but when we ventured inside all in all it was quite disappointing. This is not to say the church doesn't have potential but it is clear that it is not being cared for and was generally a mess inside. We had seen the best the missions had to offer on our day trip through the three smaller towns.

After some more chick'n & chips we waited for the last leg of our journey. When we arrived back in Santa Cruz we had travelled, on dirt tracks, over 1015 Km (631 Miles) in five days.
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