Exploring La Paz

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1 de Junio

We finished our 14 hr journey, getting in at just past midnight. Apparently ALL americans must pay $135 each just to enter Bolivia, and they only take certain mints of US bills, so that was a hassle! Finally we got out ands got a cab. La Paz is a huge city nestled in a valley at 3,200 meters above sea level (about 10,000 ft). The way to our hostel involved a couple 1 way streets, which our driver just reversed up, instead of going around!! Got in and passed out.

We woke up this morning with an ear splitting headache from the altitude, so we stayed in and slept all day. A guy in our hostel bought us some coca leaves (used to make cocaine, but natives here chew the leaves it for help with altitude sickness), which finally helped...until the festival started next door to our hostel :

2 de Junio

This morning we got up early and hitched a ride up to Muella del Diablo after hitting the local market. On the way we followed an awesome parade sponsored by the country´s beer, Paceña. Elevation was 4,000+ meters above

sea level, so it was very hard to breathe, but so gorgeous! We climbed out on the rock, took some great pics and set up camp on a cliff. Justin practiced his harmonica and we watched the sun set and the lights come on in the city.

3 de Junio

We woke up, it was freezing and the lions in the zoo down in the valley were roaring. There was actually frost in our tent since we didn´t put up the cover, but it was worth it for the view of the stars. We hiked back down and met our taxi. The driver told us how the houses on mountain sides were all falling down(except for the ugly ones). We got back, went to San Francisco church and cruised around the city for a bit, getting a great view of the city and the surrounding area from the Mirador Killi Killi. We headed to the bus station to chill before our 11 hour bus ride to Salar de Uyuni.

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Comments

[kiki]

AHHH
SHAR!! are you ok!! your poor arm :-( But looks like you guys are having sooooo much fun!! Can't wait til we fly down to see you guys mid trip ( well that is kind of the plan anyway) Be careful and keep putting up more pictures! Love you 2! Caitlin Kiki and Waukeem