W
e left most of our friends in Cochabamba and headed towards the highest capital in the world. Gary and Kimy joined us for part of the journey. We drove out of Cochabamba up over 4100m and made our way to Oruro. On the way we would run into one of the things Bolivians are the best at, road blocks. After some inquiry we found a ´tourist´ road. We followed a two wheel drive car across the river, helping push them out where needed. Karma would be on our side, as they would help negotiate our way through a secondary blockade and keep the workers from breaking in our windows, sounds worse than it was. Gary and Kimy had a train the next day heading south into the Salt flats and we had a date with traffic in La Paz. I have been alot of places with some crazy traffic, however, La Paz might be the craziest place I have ever been. 
First off, it is in a valley with only one road accessing the center, with over a million people trying to get into the city at the end of the day! Second, no one has cars, they all right in minivans, which there are more than people in the city. There are no signs, red lights mean nothing, and pedestrians walk in front of cars like they aren´t there. It was horrible stressful just going straight, let alone trying to drive and find a place to stay and even harder, parking. We would eventually find a great place with parking only a block away (later our parking choice would cost us!).
Our first day, we headed to San Francisco cathedral and walked the markets searching for anything that tickled our fancy. We took it easy after the weeks of debauchery that took place in the coach.
Laura found another piece of fabric for her quilt and Prema was kind enough to demonstrate some of her skills for us.
The following day we hit up some museums and found the company that would escort us to the brink of hell and back.....
Skip forward two days, now you know we don´t die on our trip to Coroico, but I only wanted one entry for La Paz. We are now back, exhausted after a three and a half hour minibus ride. We hit the sack with the intentions of leaving early in the morning for the ruins of Tihuanaku and Lake Titicaca. However (if you are actually reading these blogs, IE the above paragraph!) then you would know something bad happened with our parking.
That thing was a festival held once a year called, Gran Poder. Upon heading to our car we would find a full on parade directly in front of the garage and would also find out that the festival goes until around two in the morning.
That being said, we found the silver lining and enjoyed the festivities, taking in all the colors and culture. We also got to take car of some errands and might I add drink a beer or two!
Oh, and we got to try this Lebanese restaurant, SHEESHA! It was great. Tomorrow we hope we can leave and see the rest of what Bolivia has too offer.
e left most of our friends in Cochabamba and headed towards the highest capital in the world. Gary and Kimy joined us for part of the journey. We drove out of Cochabamba up over 4100m and made our way to Oruro. On the way we would run into one of the things Bolivians are the best at, road blocks. After some inquiry we found a ´tourist´ road. We followed a two wheel drive car across the river, helping push them out where needed. Karma would be on our side, as they would help negotiate our way through a secondary blockade and keep the workers from breaking in our windows, sounds worse than it was. Gary and Kimy had a train the next day heading south into the Salt flats and we had a date with traffic in La Paz. I have been alot of places with some crazy traffic, however, La Paz might be the craziest place I have ever been. 
First off, it is in a valley with only one road accessing the center, with over a million people trying to get into the city at the end of the day! Second, no one has cars, they all right in minivans, which there are more than people in the city. There are no signs, red lights mean nothing, and pedestrians walk in front of cars like they aren´t there. It was horrible stressful just going straight, let alone trying to drive and find a place to stay and even harder, parking. We would eventually find a great place with parking only a block away (later our parking choice would cost us!).
Our first day, we headed to San Francisco cathedral and walked the markets searching for anything that tickled our fancy. We took it easy after the weeks of debauchery that took place in the coach.
Laura found another piece of fabric for her quilt and Prema was kind enough to demonstrate some of her skills for us.
The following day we hit up some museums and found the company that would escort us to the brink of hell and back.....Skip forward two days, now you know we don´t die on our trip to Coroico, but I only wanted one entry for La Paz. We are now back, exhausted after a three and a half hour minibus ride. We hit the sack with the intentions of leaving early in the morning for the ruins of Tihuanaku and Lake Titicaca. However (if you are actually reading these blogs, IE the above paragraph!) then you would know something bad happened with our parking.
That thing was a festival held once a year called, Gran Poder. Upon heading to our car we would find a full on parade directly in front of the garage and would also find out that the festival goes until around two in the morning.
That being said, we found the silver lining and enjoyed the festivities, taking in all the colors and culture. We also got to take car of some errands and might I add drink a beer or two!
Oh, and we got to try this Lebanese restaurant, SHEESHA! It was great. Tomorrow we hope we can leave and see the rest of what Bolivia has too offer.
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