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La Paz is the capital city of Bolivia. The highest capital in the world! Man alive, you feel this, as it is also really hilly. Literally a few metres up the hill and you are out of breath, spin classes did not prepare for altitude pathetic-ness.
But what a sight to see, I have never seen a city like it before. The buildings, mostly houses, cling to the walls. It is full on, dirty and smelly in places but bustling and it has a charm.
We took on the sore lungs and mostly walked around. Didn´t actually go to many tourist attractions, this may be because there aren´t many! We did see the World Press Photo exhibition which was amazing, shocking and upsetting, showing press photography from events in 2010 such at the Haitian earthquake and Mexican drug violence. To be fair, it is not all upsetting but these stick with you. There were also pictures of the Irish travelling community in their lovely tarty get-ups (so chaste though!!) and of Bolivian women wresting ´Cholitos Libre´. This is Bolivian laydees in their full traditional garms, taking each other on WWF style! Really wanted to see it but we missed it, that was a shame.
We had a pucker curry and spent the days eating saltenas (Bolivian empanadas) and fruit juices with milk, mmmm. Set lunch in Bolivia will set you back about three pounds, sweet.
Did a bit of shopping and visited a market where you can buy you very own Llama featus, ranging from about a foot and a half long with hair to the very small, mmmmm. Bury these dried delights under your front step and forever shall you have good luck.......
Met friends from the Salt Flats tour and from Argentina, most exciting. Some planned, some not. It is so exciting when someone you met before and really liked you meet again along the trail. Got way too drunk at an English pub (typical!) and Lee couldn´t get out of bed the next day, lightweight!
Stayed at a hostel that gave you a free beer each day, which was nice and all and served all you can eat pancakes in the morning, y-u-m (Adventure Brew), three tipped me over the edge, our friend John managed six, legend!
Not sure I would rush back to La Paz, but the feeling of being there lingers (in a good way) and it is not to be missed.
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