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Josie's Giant Adventure
Hello
We have now left Copacabana and are in La Paz. While we were in Copacabana we walked up a sacred hill and went to the sacred Isle de Sol. Copacabana is quite a religious place for religious people. It is the place to go to get your car blessed. People dress their cars and trucks up with ribbons and fake flower garlands, throw petals over them, take them to the cathedral and pour fake sacred champagne in the engine.
There was a really good view of Copacabana, Lake Titicaca and the surrounding area from the top of the sacred hill. However, given the religious meaning of the place it is amazing how little respect people have for it - it seems to be used as a bin. In one movement people are crossing themselves and throwing their empty inca cola bottle and kitkat wrapper over the side of the hill. These do not strike me as offerings to God. Do people think that if they climb the hill, burn some stuff and pour alcohol on the ground (they do this to ensure their prayers are answered) that they don't need to worry about the natural environment in which they asked for their prayers to be answered? If I was God I know what I'd think. It all seemed a bit fake. Sorry, rant over!
We got a boat to the Isle de Sol, where ancient Andeans believed the sun and moon were created, thus it is an important place. We walked the length of the island and enjoyed the views and watching all of the animals and insects until a large dragonfly hovered in our path and refused to move. Eventually we outwitted it and made it to the end of the island to go back for our last meal in Copcacabana. The food had been a bit hit and miss in Copacabana so we were wary, but our last meal there was good and mighty cheap as usual.
We made it to La Paz and the views of the lake on the way were really nice. We had to cross a bit of the lake and I can't quite believe that we and the bus made it. The bus went separately on what was effectively a wooden raft with very small sides. Passengers were in a separate boat which was alarmingly low in the water, but both bus and passengers made it accross.
I've had a quick wonder round the bit of La Paz near where we are staying which appears to be the equivalent of Oxford Street. Its raining now though, so not much fun doing sight seeing. It is very busy and there are lots of people selling things on the street and loads of shops, but can I find a supermarket? No.
We have booked to do the mountain bike ride down from La Paz to Coroico tomorrow, which is along the most dangerous road in the world. Don't worry though, they provide you with a helmet. Actually, it seems a very safe reputable company etc etc and we have v posh bikes. Can anyone believe I'm doing this action sports type stuff? Not me either. We're going to stay in Coroico for a couple of nights once we've biked down there.
Last night we went to Oliver's Travels 100% Fake English Pub for curry and pints of lager - excellent! The lager is very gassy though - next time I will revert to the excellent little known Bolivian red wines Kolberg or Concepcion - good reds, terrible whites though (well, for my taste anyway).
See you later
Josiexx
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