La Paz, it's the highest capital in the world. And it's not only breathtaking because of it's views (lol), but also because it's altitude of over 4000 meters. The houses seem to cascade down from the mountains. We arrived late in the evening on a Sunday. Next morning we went for our exploration of the city. As the city is one big hill it is either uphill or downhill. There is nothing in between.
I think this city is very interesting because of it's streets with different shops. You will find one road filled with little shops and stands all about your plumbing needs, the next might be all around light bulbs, another with fruits and one with electronics. As Chrisy didn't feel as a fully grown and appreciated women, since our camera got stolen during our 21 hours bus ride from Lima to Cusco, we had to find a new camera. We went to many different shops and read all this different tests and comments. After one full day of searching, we bought one camera 2 minutes before the store closed. We were able to bargain him a little down and got a new toy for my girl. Now she is happy again!
La Paz is also the place of a witch market. Here you can buy all different kind of teas, talismans, tinctures and other deep spiritual things. One thing what you do when you build a house is that you take a dried lama fetus and burry it under the entrance door. This will keep your house safe and prosperous. So in case you are building at the moment, keep a little space under your door!
There are many great little street food vendors with some great food and you will always find a cart where somebody will offer you a fresh delicious orange juice.
As Bolivia has a long history with coca plants we went and visited the "Coca Museum". It is a small place with only a view things in there exhibition, but the self guided booklet for you to read gives a good understanding about this plant in the daily life of the Anden habitants.
It explained many rituals, the history and importance for the people of coca leaves. As around 85% of Bolivian men and women chew coca in their daily life it is not possible to think this leaves away. You can see them selling them in huge bags or walking around with smaller bags and chewing them in their mouth. Some people had big cheeks like hamsters.
One story I liked very much was the following:
God gave this little bush with the small leaves to his children of the Andes. He told them that when they felt hungry because of the limited sources around them, or if they felt cold due to the harsh environment they were in or they had to keep on going for a long time to cover the huge distances, then they could come back and use this present of him to get over all these situations.
It is not that you feel high, but it is that you forget hunger, cold and keeps you going and going! Coca is NOT cocaine!
It was definitely a good lesson to be learned to to be able to understand the Bolivians and their liking for the green leaves.
As the city had many more museums we also went to visit the Textile museum. The art of spinning and preparing beautiful dresses is definitely amazing in this country. Every region has their own special way of using colors and objects. Also the quality and thickness of the textiles is every different.
The city has many faces and there is much to see. We used our hostel to gain more energy for our city tours.
You will see all kind of strange things.
There are shoe shine guys with ski masks on. Ready to threaten you with a brush and shoe polish.
Cars of unknown origin with a lot of character and charm.
And please, can anybody help me to read between these lines here? Well, if you ask me... Democracy has seen better times before (I guess).
For mor pictures see La Paz
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