Breathless in La Paz
Trip Start
Jun 16, 2007
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10
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Trip End
Nov 13, 2007
La Paz, Bolivia
Monday, July 16, 2007
Arrived in La Paz and thought it must be rush hour because of the congestion and pollution, but a few hours later it was clear that this chaos was the norm. La Paz´s airport is the highest in the world at 4000m , and the city itself sits at 3,500 clinging to the sides of the steep valley, and at the very bottom of the valey is the main street that runs through the whole of La Paz.
The pavements are full of people and street sellers and shoe shine boys wearing balacavas. Crazily nosiy with the din of beeping horns, and boys hollering from their ´collectivo´s´(a mini bus taxi crammed with people all going the same way), and lots of pollution. Gasping for breath at this alttidue only to breath in a lungful of diesel fumes. Not Claire´s favourite place so far! But lots of cafes selling amazing cakes, and lemon meringue pie, for breakfast helps!
Constant bustle on streets is exciting though, and the witches market is fascinating to wander thorugh. Lots of stalls selling bizarre items such as lama fotues (for good luck apparently).
Another good hostel on the main street but surprisingly quiet when doot shuts. Met an english couple on the bus from Copacabana who stayed at the same hostel and when we went out for dinner toghether we discovered she was from Taunton, and she went to Castle and Huish!!! As we had only met about 10 english people so far during the whole trip, this was a bizzare coincidence!
From La Paz its possible to book trips into both the Bolivan pampas and jungle, and also the much anticipated monutain biking from La Paz to Corrico down the ´world´s most dangerous road´. We booked up these trips quickly and couldn´t wait!
