Ok, so the voting for autonomia was yesterday (may4) and this is what happened, as told to me by one of the higher-ups in P.C.:

There was one death reported (an 68-year old man who died from the affects of tear gas in Plan 3000), and twenty injured, including some members of the press. Of the twenty, three were seriously injured. Conflicts took place in MAS strongholds where anticipated and where Peace Corps Volunteers were not located: Yapacani, 4 canadas, San Julian, San Pedro, and a small amount in Montero. In these areas some 35 voter boxes (urnas) were burned. Police acted effectively to limit the violence. Of approximately 800,000 elegible voters, approximately 60% voted. Of the ballots tallied, 86 % voted "yes" on the autonomic statutes and 14% voted "no". To offset the victory, the MAS party organized large protests against the autonomic statutes in La Paz (some 30,000), Cochabamba (some 30,000), and other smaller protests. No violence was associated with these protests. Participants admitted that they would be fined 150 Bolivianos if they did not attend. In Cochabamba a cabildo was held whose conclusions were to ask the Prefect Manfred to resign, Ambassador Goldberg, who they believe backs the autonomia movement, to leave Bolivia, and that a date be set for the public vote to ratify the constitution. President Morales has called for dialogue to discuss the concept of autonomy within the context of the new constitution, not yet ratified. Overall, the day went more smoothly than many anticipated, and was a victory for the opposition to the MAS.

All this means is that all in all, Santa Cruz voted yes for autonomia, but the government says that{s illegal. So, really nothing is happening yet until the prez recognizes this voting as actually being legal (right now he{s saying it{s illegal). But while all that crazy stuff was happening yesterday, I went to the market, took a short walk, layed in the sun, took a shower, read my book, drank hot chocolate, and made a delicious meal of spaghetti and red sauce with mendonite cheese. Therefore, my day was excellent indeed, but not nearly as exciting as all that crap i just mentioned. So don{t be shocked if you hear crazy stuff going on in Bolivia, because i{m most likely just sitting on a bench somewhere reading or talking to the little neighbor lady (who{s absolutely adorable, i might add).
Well, hope you{re all doing good. Happy Cinco de Mayo!!