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Arrived in loco (crazy) La Paz
We arrived in true South American style, being thrown from side to side in our seats and even getting some air! We got off and headed to the taxis to find out so many of the roads were blocked and none of the taxi's wouldn't move us to where we wanted to go.... its Bolivian independence day.
We arrived at our hostel where we were to stay one night (and one night too long) in HI-Onkel Inn 1886. As we arrived, did we have a room?Then we couldn't get our room, then after the person came back and was sleeping, would they get them out?. They didn't try and check out and the hostel didn't try either. When we got into the horrible hostel room, it was a loft at the end of the dorm and honestly not enough space for two people. The person who was kicked out and felt robbed of here sleep was put in the bunk next to the ladder to our loft. She decided to take up most of the space on the runners with s***, Sarah asked for it to be cleared and later when she returned some of it i just nudged it off, oops. To add to it, the bathrooms were really dirty and they decided not to clean them either. I would like to add, to say this in South America is a statement. Just don't go there, this is a summary.
During and before all this happened, we headed out for lunch where we were served a hairy meatball and mash potato with a few too. After this culinary experience we decided to walk around a little. This is when we got our loft room and decided to get the hell out of there again.
Today was a special day for more than just Bolivians, it was also the UEFA Cup final. We decided to check out both watching the all day parade and trying to cross it to the other side where there was a party hostel Loki showing the game, and where two of Sarah's friends were staying.
This may sound like an easy plan to walk six blocks but it was anything but. Early in the day, all along the parades length people section every piece off. In this space they make five or more people high seating out of scaffolding or any material they can find. This is then blocked at the back, roped together and you must pay for this.... Good way to make a dollar but I wonder how many times a section has fallen apart.
We found a place to cross a long way up the road and stood in line. We stood; and waited; and stood there some more. We finally gave up as we remembered there was an underpass even further out of our way. It turned out today had an extra activity, a city tour!
We weaved our way back the many streets on the other side and found the Loki hostel at half time in the game, an hour or more later. It was a crazy walk since both hostels are on the same street, three blocks either side of the parade.
Loki bar was great fun and we meet up with Sarah's friends Lena and Keats. We exchange stories over cheap beers and vodka while keeping an eye fixed on the progression of the game and the antics of a few diehard supporters, including a bartender.
After the game and we headed out for dinner and the prospect of a La Paz dance club after. A walk back through the underpass, a burrito and a jug of sangria later we flagged down a collectivo van and rattled our way through the La Paz streets.
Unfortunately the club was not great and ended up having a beer in an Irish bar.... Not quite what we had in mind.
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