The Bohemian Diaries
  • Home
  • Photography
    • Portfolio
    • Series – I Am Bolivia
    • Commercial Photography
  • Where in the world
  • Destinations
    • Bolivia Refugio Los Volcanes | The Bohemian Diaries

      Refugio Los Volcanes: Love at First Sight

      October 31, 2017

      Bocado Bolivia

      Countdown to Lima: 14 days!!

      August 23, 2017

      Bocado Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: ¡¡Estamos yendo a MISTURA!!

      July 27, 2017

      Bocado Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: We’re going to MISTURA!!

      July 26, 2017

      Asia

      Cycle tourism: Why Travel on Two Wheels + Interview with World Bike Girl

      October 30, 2016

      Asia

      TAIWAN’S TRAILS: HOW TO TAKE THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE

      September 26, 2016

      Bolivia Refugio Los Volcanes | The Bohemian Diaries

      Refugio Los Volcanes: Love at First Sight

      October 31, 2017

      Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: ¡¡Estamos yendo a MISTURA!!

      July 27, 2017

      Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: We’re going to MISTURA!!

      July 26, 2017

      Bolivia Bocado Bolivia | The Bohemian Diaries

      ¡Introduciendo Bocado Bolivia!

      June 23, 2017

      Colombia

      Christmas in Colombia: Medellin’s incredible holiday festival you need to see

      November 29, 2016

      Colombia

      26 Travel Experiences I Am Especially Grateful For

      November 26, 2015

      Colombia Cocora Valley, Colombia | Jessica Janoski Photography

      Valle de Cocora

      October 6, 2012

      Colombia © Jessica Janoski Photography

      Photo of the Day:: 9.25.12

      September 25, 2012

      Peru

      Countdown to Lima: 14 days!!

      August 23, 2017

      Peru

      Bocado Bolivia: ¡¡Estamos yendo a MISTURA!!

      July 27, 2017

      Peru

      Bocado Bolivia: We’re going to MISTURA!!

      July 26, 2017

      Peru

      26 Travel Experiences I Am Especially Grateful For

      November 26, 2015

      United States

      Badlands Bucket List: Adventure in the Black Hills

      June 21, 2017

      United States

      Minneapolis Summer Getaway Guide + Giveaway

      July 22, 2016

      United States

      Beyond Bryce Canyon: 6 Incredible Hikes You Can’t Miss in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

      February 5, 2016

  • About
  • Español
  • Home
  • Photography
    • Portfolio
    • Series – I Am Bolivia
    • Commercial Photography
  • Where in the world
  • Destinations
    • Bolivia Refugio Los Volcanes | The Bohemian Diaries

      Refugio Los Volcanes: Love at First Sight

      October 31, 2017

      Bocado Bolivia

      Countdown to Lima: 14 days!!

      August 23, 2017

      Bocado Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: ¡¡Estamos yendo a MISTURA!!

      July 27, 2017

      Bocado Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: We’re going to MISTURA!!

      July 26, 2017

      Asia

      Cycle tourism: Why Travel on Two Wheels + Interview with World Bike Girl

      October 30, 2016

      Asia

      TAIWAN’S TRAILS: HOW TO TAKE THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE

      September 26, 2016

      Bolivia Refugio Los Volcanes | The Bohemian Diaries

      Refugio Los Volcanes: Love at First Sight

      October 31, 2017

      Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: ¡¡Estamos yendo a MISTURA!!

      July 27, 2017

      Bolivia

      Bocado Bolivia: We’re going to MISTURA!!

      July 26, 2017

      Bolivia Bocado Bolivia | The Bohemian Diaries

      ¡Introduciendo Bocado Bolivia!

      June 23, 2017

      Colombia

      Christmas in Colombia: Medellin’s incredible holiday festival you need to see

      November 29, 2016

      Colombia

      26 Travel Experiences I Am Especially Grateful For

      November 26, 2015

      Colombia Cocora Valley, Colombia | Jessica Janoski Photography

      Valle de Cocora

      October 6, 2012

      Colombia © Jessica Janoski Photography

      Photo of the Day:: 9.25.12

      September 25, 2012

      Peru

      Countdown to Lima: 14 days!!

      August 23, 2017

      Peru

      Bocado Bolivia: ¡¡Estamos yendo a MISTURA!!

      July 27, 2017

      Peru

      Bocado Bolivia: We’re going to MISTURA!!

      July 26, 2017

      Peru

      26 Travel Experiences I Am Especially Grateful For

      November 26, 2015

      United States

      Badlands Bucket List: Adventure in the Black Hills

      June 21, 2017

      United States

      Minneapolis Summer Getaway Guide + Giveaway

      July 22, 2016

      United States

      Beyond Bryce Canyon: 6 Incredible Hikes You Can’t Miss in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

      February 5, 2016

  • About
  • Español

The Bohemian Diaries

I Am Bolivia: Marta Alba

written by Jessica Janoski March 20, 2015

I Am Bolivia | The Bohemian Diaries Meet Marta, AKA “the arepa queen.” You’ll find her on the corner of Barbery Avenue and Alcayá Street from 4-7pm everyday with spatula in hand and a grin from ear to ear. She is, after all, dishing up her daily dose of happiness and lucky for you, she’s sharing with whoever’s in the neighborhood.

A native of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Marta’s life took a curious turn when she visited her sister in the neighboring town of Cotoca 13 years ago.

“My sister was making areaps and I fell in LOVE [with them],” she gushes. In that moment, an entrepreneur was born.

Marta immediately knew that putting down her thread and needle to sell something she loved to make – and eat – would be the start of a better future, even if it wasn’t easy.

“I was very, very nervous at the beginning,” she recalls. “At first it was too expensive and with only one pan made of mud to cook with, people had to wait almost 15 minutes just to make an order. It was frustrating, but with much patience it got better and clients said it was the best part of their day. Patience paid off.”

Still to this day, Marta continues to sell out before her closing hour of 7pm.

The secret to her success? An unfaltering love for the cheesy cornbread.

“I only sell what I like. I try every batch and if it’s not perfect, I toss it and start over. I always maintain high quality.”

While it’s certain her afternoon snack has become a huge success, Marta’s future plans may not be.

“My future isn’t clear. I could continue for 13 more years but who knows? I don’t think much about the future because I love where I am right now. Ohh! It’s ready. Would you like an arepa?”

***

Conozca a Marta, también conocida como “la reina de la arepa.” Se la puede encontrar en la esquina de Avenida Barbery y Calle Alcayá de las 4 a 7pm todos los días con una espátula en la mano y una gran sonrisa de oreja a oreja. Después de todo, ella está sirviendo su dosis diaria de la felicidad y la suerte para usted, que ella está compartiendo con el que hay en el barrio.

Nacido en Santa Cruz de la Sierra, la vida de Marta tomó un giro curioso cuando visitó a su hermana en el pueblo vecino de Cotoca hace 13 años.

“Mi hermana estaba cocinando arepas y yo me enamoré,” ella brota. En ese momento, se nació un empresario.

Inmediatamente Marta supo que dejando su hilo y aguja para vender algo que amaba hacer – y comer – sería el comienzo de un futuro mejor, aunque no fue fácil.

“Yo estaba con muchos, muchos nervios cuando empecé,” ella recuerda. “Al principio era demasiado caro y con una sola plancha hecho de barro para cocinar, la gente tuvo que esperar casi 15 minutos para hacer su pedido. Fue difícil, pero después ya con mucha paciencia y con las sugerencias de mi cliente, me dijeron que era su mejor parte de su día. La paciencia dio sus frutos.”

Aún hasta ahora, ella siga vendiendo todo su lote antes de cerrar a las 7pm.

El secreto de su éxito? Un amor inquebrantable por el pán de maíz y queso.

“Solo vendo lo que me gusta. Probo todo lo que hago cada mañana y si no me gusta y no es perfecto, lo boto y empiezo de nuevo. Siempre mantengo alta calidad.”

Mientras es bien cierto que su snack de la tarde se ha convertido en un gran éxito, los planes de su futuro ya no están tan seguros.

“No está claro el futuro. Puede ser que sigo 13 años más pero quién sabe? No pienso en el futuro mucho por que me encanta donde estoy ahora mismo. Ohh! Ya está. Queres una arepa?”

I Am Bolivia is a series building a photographic census of Bolivia through environmental portraits and short stories. All photos copyright Jessica Janoski Photography 2015, for inquiries contact Jessica at [email protected]
I Am Bolivia: Marta Alba was last modified: March 21st, 2015 by Jessica Janoski
6 comments
0
Jessica Janoski

Creator of The Bohemian Diaries, Jessica is a photojournalist documenting South American life as an expat in Bolivia and self-proclaimed adventure extraordinaire. Follow her travels on Twitter , , and everywhere else on the web:

previous post
Crash Course: Comida Camba
next post
RECETA: Green Detox Smoothie

You may also like

Bolivia vs. Brazil

The Bohemian Diaries | Jessica Janoski Photography

Threads of Change

Photo of the Day:: 9.12.12

Photo of the Day:: 10.20.12

Bolivia for Adrenaline Junkies: 12 Adventures to Get Your Heart Racing

© Jessica Janoski Photography

Photo of the Day:: 9.25.12

Bolivia Survival Guide | The Bohemian Diaries

Bolivia Survival Guide

Cycle tourism: Why Travel on Two Wheels + Interview with World Bike Girl

¡Olé, Olé, Oh No!

I Am Bolivia: Marcelo Alvares

6 comments

Juan Carlos Paz March 23, 2015 at 6:03 pm

One of the best posts yet! I love those arepas, they are the best in the city! Good job. Great spanish!

Reply
dannielle March 31, 2015 at 3:09 pm

Love the combined story of individual and her food

Reply
Jessica Janoski April 6, 2015 at 3:29 pm

Thanks, Dannielle! It was certainly inspiring to hear of her passion for food and how it made her grow into a businesswoman.

Reply
Paul May 29, 2015 at 5:56 pm

Lovely story — I enjoyed it a lot. But since it’s about arepas, you really should fix the typo in the first reference to arepas. 😉

Reply
Jessica Janoski May 29, 2015 at 6:57 pm

Thanks, Paul! I’m glad you enjoyed the story and big thanks for finding the typo! I appreciate your feedback!

Reply
gringoinbolivia May 31, 2015 at 8:23 pm

We don’t get enough of this in La Paz 🙁

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

About Me

About Me

I'm Jessica, a photojournalist and avid explorer currently living in Bolivia. The Bohemian Diaries is where I share my love of photography, travel tales and the best of life in South America. {More about me}

Follow the Journey!

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube Bloglovin

Popular Posts

  • Beyond Bryce Canyon: 6 Incredible Hikes You Can’t Miss in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

    February 5, 2016
  • 8 Ways NOT to do Machu Picchu

    September 9, 2014
  • Exploring the department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia

    7 Reasons NOT to Miss Santa Cruz While Traveling Bolivia

    September 7, 2015
  • Christmas in Colombia: Medellin’s incredible holiday festival you need to see

    November 29, 2016
  • 7 Razones para Visitar Santa Cruz Cuando Viajés a Bolivia

    October 21, 2015

Follow on Facebook

Facebook

Leelo en español

  • Countdown to Lima: 14 days!!

  • Bocado Bolivia: ¡¡Estamos yendo a MISTURA!!

  • Bocado Bolivia | The Bohemian Diaries

    ¡Introduciendo Bocado Bolivia!

  • 7 Razones para Visitar Santa Cruz...

Latest Video

The Instalife

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username

Features

Moving to Bolivia Expat Interviews

Partners

The Fine Print

Unless otherwise specified, all written content and photographs on this site were created by me. Material may not be used without written permission. Should you like to use something, please .
©The Bohemian Diaries 2012-2016. All rights reserved.

The Instalife

No images found!
Try some other hashtag or username
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Bloglovin
  • RSS
Footer Logo

© Copyright 2012-2017 The Bohemian Diaries. All rights reserved.


Back To Top