After spending months alone on the Andean roads, I found a French friend who had recently moved to La Paz with her Bolivian friend. What better way to explore the city than with someone who lives there?
We walked around the city centre and stopped off in the touristy but pleasant Linares street, home to the famous "witches market" (mercado de las brujas) full of all kinds of charms including llama fetuses which, when buried under the foundations of new houses, are said to bring good luck...
The street also led me to the upscale neighbourhood of Sopocachi, a much quieter area which is inhabited by the upper classes and by expats of all kinds. From Monticulo park, you can see pretty houses and beautiful views of the mountains surrounding the city.
As someone who loves markets, I took myself to the neighbourhood of El Alto which, as its name suggests, is the highest part of the city. It stands 4,000 metres above sea level! Going by yourself isn't really recommended, but I haven't yet had any problems even though I was the only tourist... Although I won't find any souvenirs there (unless I want to bring back some tyres or other car parts), I mainly go for the atmosphere and for the spectacular views of the city centre and the mountains!
One evening with her friend, we went to see a national Bolivian league football match in the great Hernando Siles Olympic Stadium. I don't remember the name of the winning team but I remember it was the team we were supporting! But that was no big deal for me, I personally went for the atmosphere of the stadium...
After spending months alone on the Andean roads, I found a French friend who had recently moved to La Paz with her Bolivian friend. What better way to explore the city than with someone who lives there?
We walked around the city centre and stopped off in the touristy but pleasant Linares street, home to the famous "witches market" (mercado de las brujas) full of all kinds of charms including llama fetuses which, when buried under the foundations of new houses, are said to bring good luck...
The street also led me to the upscale neighbourhood of Sopocachi, a much quieter area which is inhabited by the upper classes and by expats of all kinds. From Monticulo park, you can see pretty houses and beautiful views of the mountains surrounding the city.
As someone who loves markets, I took myself to the neighbourhood of El Alto which, as its name suggests, is the highest part of the city. It stands 4,000 metres above sea level! Going by yourself isn't really recommended, but I haven't yet had any problems even though I was the only tourist... Although I won't find any souvenirs there (unless I want to bring back some tyres or other car parts), I mainly go for the atmosphere and for the spectacular views of the city centre and the mountains!
One evening with her friend, we went to see a national Bolivian league football match in the great Hernando Siles Olympic Stadium. I don't remember the name of the winning team but I remember it was the team we were supporting! But that was no big deal for me, I personally went for the atmosphere of the stadium...
