by Ximena, age 9 from La Paz, Bolivia, asks Santa about Christmas dinner, La Paz’s high altitude, and Bolivia’s two capital cities.
Dear Santa, my name is Ximena, and I am nine years old. I live in La Paz, Bolivia, so high in the mountains that my abuelo says visitors sometimes need to sip coca tea just to catch their breath.
Dear Ximena, La Paz has tested even my most seasoned reindeer over the centuries, your abuelo’s advice about the tea is very wise.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you eat Christmas dinner? My mama makes picana, a big soup with lots of meat, every Christmas Eve.
I do eat Christmas dinner, Ximena, and picana sounds absolutely wonderful, a hearty soup is exactly what a tired sleigh driver needs after a long, cold night.
My teacher says La Paz is the highest capital city in the entire world. Is that true?
It is true, Ximena, La Paz sits higher above sea level than any other capital city on Earth. I always give the sleigh extra time to adjust before landing, the thin mountain air keeps even Rudolph on his toes.
My abuelo says Bolivia actually has two capital cities instead of just one. Is that true?
It is true, Ximena, La Paz serves as the seat of government while Sucre remains the official constitutional capital. Sharing responsibilities like that between two cities is a good reminder that teamwork, not just one place or one person, often keeps things running smoothly, much like my whole workshop.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ximena Quispe
La Paz, Bolivia
P.S. Does the thin air ever make your sleigh bell sound funny?
Only slightly, Ximena, though the elves insist it just sounds more festive up here.
