La Paz (Bolivia)

Next stop - La Paz, Bolivia´s capital and the highest capital city in the world at 3700m. It was an interesting time to visit as there were mass protests every day in the city (re a pay increase for miners we were told), frequent loud explosions as the protesters set off dynamite in the streets, and loads of riot police around (we felt the effects of their teargas on one occasion!).

La Paz is basically a city built inside a giant crater, with buildings clinging to the side of the canyon and steep streets which can be tough to walk due to the altitude. Common sights while wandering the city are shops selling llama fetuses (which supposedly bring you good luck), women with long black plaits and bowler hats selling food on the footpaths, and balaclava-clad shoeshine boys who try to sell their services even if you´re wearing jandals!

While here we checked out the cool Contemporary Art museum (housed in a building designed by Gustave Eiffel), the fascinating Coca museum, the outside only of the notorious San Pedro prison (made famous by the book Marching Powder), and enjoyed catching up with some fellow kiwis.

 

 

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