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La Paz
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In Puno, I met up with my travel friends
Kiko and Sarah again and we decided to travel together for 2 days. From Puno, we took a couple of buses to get to the Peru/Bolivia border and from there went to Copacobana where we spent one night. Copacabana is an attractive town situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca about 4 hours by bus north-west of La Paz. The town is famous for its ornate Moorish-style Cathedral. Built in the 17th century, the cathedral is home to the 16th century Virgen de Candelaria also known as the Dark Virgin of the Lake, who is attributed to working many miracles. She is Bolivia's Patron Saint and an object of worship throughout the Andes. The cathedral also contains a fine guilt altar in the main chapel and is well worth a visit.
On the northern edge of town is the hill of Cerro Calvario, which we visited early in the morning to get a great view over the town and lake. The 30 minute steep trail to the top of the hill is lined by the Stations of the Cross. Local pilgrims climb the hill to pray for luck. Sometimes they take small miniature models such as cars or trucks which they get blessed at the top in the hope that they will be rewarded by the full sized version in the coming year. The view from the top is breathtaking (in more ways than one) with the Island of the Sun clearly visible. Many people gather at sunset in the hope of watching a beautiful display of oranges and reds as the sun sinks over the Lake.
Then, we went off to La Paz. La Paz must qualify as one of the world's most dramatically located cities. It lies sheltered from cold winds within a steep canyon just below the rim of the altiplano. The city's skyline is dominated with huge office blocks and the snow-covered peaks of Mount Illamani (6439m). La Paz was founded by the Spanish on 20 October 1548 under the name of La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (The City of Our Lady of Peace). With a population of nearly 1.3 million inhabitants, La Paz is now a modern city with few colonial buildings left except around Plaza Murillo, which at 3636 meter above sea level, marks the very heart of the city where the government buildings and the cathedral can be found. The sprawling town of El Alto (4082m) is the city's poor relation and sits on the rim of the altiplano exposed to the icy winds. This rapidly expanding district comprises almost entirely immigrants from the countryside.
In La Paz, I am staying with another Hospitalityclub family, with Carlos, Silivia, Andrea and Valeria (and their two dogs Guillermo and Peluche)who live in a wonderful area called Zona Sur. Carlos and his family have been hospitality club hosts for over 10 years. When I arrived, the house was full with a Francois and Leila (father and daughter) from french-speaking Canada, Sophie from Denmark and me. I am using La Paz as a base to explore the northern part of Bolivia. More thumbnails ...
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