Hello down there!!!!

---

We have spent the last few days in La Paz, since we were unable to get on the tour that left on Wednesday to Uyuni (the largest salt flats in the world). Instead we will be leaving by night bus tonight, since true to the south american life that we have experienced, the train workers have gone on strike.
Perhaps it wasn´t destined to be so, since we were able to receive some very exciting news from home before leaving on the tour. My sister's water broke on September 14th...two weeks earlier than expected...and she delivered the most precious, lovable and gorgeous baby boy. We haven´t seen him yet, but we're biased already...😊
We had planned to be back home when the baby was born, so we teased my sister that he better be early for all future family functions too!😊
Hmm....how to explain the essence of La Paz. It is a city that sadly reflects the third world status of Bolivia, but is rich in history and culture. 51% of the population in Bolivia is of indigenous decent and it is made up of approx. 41 different ethnic groups. The unemployment rate in Bolivia is 60% and an average monthly salary is a few hundred dollars. The president supposedly makes 15,000 bolivianos a month...if 1 US dollar is 8 bolivianos...do the math...
One of the first walks we took was to the 'Mercado de las Brujas' (Witches' Market). There you will find stalls upon stalls with dried armadillos, dried frogs, dried llama fetus', starfish, along with a plethora of clay figurines. Each one is believed to bring you luck or protection in different spheres of your life...love life, home, family, wealth, success at work or school, etc..You can also find men who will read your future in coca leaves. It is definitely one of the most unique sites we have seen on this trip.
From downtown La Paz we headed to the outskirts of the city to the 'Valle de la Luna' (Valley of the moon). This is a valley that has eroded away due to water erosion, leaving behind canyons and pinnacles made mostly of a sand, clay and rock mixture.
As mentioned earlier, yesterday we found out that the train workers were on strike so we had an additional day in La Paz. We decided to book ourselves on a day tour to some mountain called Chacaltaya. It sounded nice and relaxing...drive out there...eat your boxed lunch...little did we know that we would be hiking up a mountain at 5380m. Good thing hiking shoes have become part of our daily wardrobe. We could definitely feel the higher altitudes, but our guide told us that a headache was normal...hmmm...pass the coca tea please.
We made it to the top of the mountain and came down just before it started to snow. From Chacaltaya we had a panoramic view of the Cordillera Real, including one of the highest peaks Huayna Potosi. Huayna Potosi is La Paz's main source of water and like many glaciers is receeding at a rapid rate. Some speculate that it will dry out in ten years...we hope not for the sake of the people in La Paz that already face so many challenges.
We're off to Uyuni for a few days after which we are planning on going to Lake Titicaca and then our flight home will be just around the corner.
All the best,
K & I

---

Photos

La Paz urban planning...if you can call it that
Although not the official capital of Bolivia (which is Sucre), it is the highest unofficial capital in the world at 3600m.

Typical day at the market
Bolivians work extremely hard just to get by. These women will start their day at the market at 8am and finish around 9pm before heading up the hills back home. On average they will make 400 bolivianos, about 50 US dollars a month!

The Witches Market
The Witches Market is where bolivians will go to buy unique ingredients, such as dried frogs, dried starfish and dried armadillos, which are supposed to ward off thieves.

Dried llama fetuses
Bolivians will buy a llama fetus to place in the foundation of a new home to protect their family members and home.

Offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth)
August is the most relevent sacrifical time to Pachamama for bolivians, since August is when many of the crops are sowed and the seed beds prepared. This is an example of an offering to Pachamama which would include sweet red wine. The entire offering is burned.

Lunar Landscape
Just outside of La Paz is their very own Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna).

View of Huayna Potosi from the route to Chacaltaya
Standing at 6088m (19,974 ft.), Huayna Potosi is one of the six peaks exceeding 6000m in the Cordillera Real

Stairway to heaven...
On our way to one of the peaks on Chacaltaya which reaches 5421m (17,785 ft). We made it to the first peak at 5380m (17,646ft).

Into thin air...
This was the highest altitude that we both have ever been at (5380m). We are still way short of Everest which is 8848m and just short of Kilimanjaro which is at 5963m.

Comments

[Marzena]

Greetings
Hey muchachas. Just dropping a quick note to say hello and wish you a safe flight home. We got back last night and can't say we are too thrilled to be home. Congrats on becoming an aunt and uncle. To complete the family photo, you guys should return the favor to Krys and Chad!! :) Chat to you when you get back. Looks like we will have plenty of pictures to exchange. Adios.

[Fran]

Thanks!
For keeping us so involved in this adventure. I am learning so much! Can hardly wait to talk to you folks, catch that plane! Isn't Matthew gorgeous. Lis and I are anxious to have a cuddle. Lots to look forward to at home. The Calgary Market is going to be a mild comparison to the Witch's. The glaciers are disappearing so quickly - is this about global warming? Looking forward to a grand conversation. Love you lots. Mom.