I don't like La Paz

Trip Start Apr 09, 2008
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Trip End Apr 19, 2009

Flag of Bolivia  ,
Saturday, May 24, 2008

Lets get one thing clear from the start... I don't like La Paz. I think maybe it is just a little too big for me, too busy, too many people and they just try to walk through you, even when I tried the square your shoulders and look big technique, which isn't hard here because the average height is about 5 foot! I bounced a few little people when they walked into me but it didn't stop them trying to get through me. Cars are the same it is a kind of I am in a rush and you can all get out of the way mentallity. Crossing roads is a hundred meter sprint event. Also the altitude seemed to affect me here which is odd because Uyuni and Potosi are both higher and I didn't seem to get anything but dizzyness and breathlessness. Have I told you all about that yet? It is incredible you just have to walk up a slight hill maybe like East Reach no more and you can't breath your heart beats fast. I will be pleased to get back to sea level or near enough. In La Paz however my stomach seemed to be bubbling constantly and it is very hard to enjoy beer or food that way!

Ok that said I had some excellent times in La Paz mainly because of the people I met. The guys from the Salt flats were all there and those guys are cool as two northern english couples. There are some great eateries in La Paz from the "English Pub" where everything is served in pints even the tea and the "English curry house" to the tiny little cafe thing where it is four course meal and a drink (normally just coke) for 8 Bs (60p mas o minos!). Busy street
Busy street
 Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the food as much as elsewhere because of the altitude. (Since leaving La Paz my apetite has come back with a vengance and I can now manage 4 restaurants in a day).

Second night was Micheal's birthday so it was english breakfast, cake, curry, live band, karaoke, overall a cracking good night out even though I couldn't join in with the drinks and food so much I sang my little heart out at the karaoke bar. The place was empty and so we just did song after song with gusto (wanted to use that word because it is spanish). Karaoke is actually quite popular in Bolivia it was a shame no Bolivians were there to join in, I wanted to hear them singing.

I rode a mountain bike on the most dangerous road in the world. Unfortunately, I fell off the bike, on the first off tarmac section, before the death road proper. I was a bit gutted, I have really hurt my arm quite badly, I don't think it is broken but I have yet to get it X-rayed so we will see. Cross your fingers folks because broken arm could be trip over. It really doesn't hurt unless I try to pick stuff up or turn it a certain way I think it is just a bruise. The bruise by the way is quite pretty. I managed to ride a bit of the death road and there are some great pics I think of my with an improvised bandage. Will do pics soon I promise everything just takes time! At the bottom of the road we swam in a pool it was so good after the ride which is incredibly dusty. Problem was it didn't have steps so me trying to get out with one arm must have been funny to watch it was kind of a beached whale and roll thing.

The morning after the death road we set off on a three day hike, it was punishing to say the least! It was all up and down hills and the downhill sections were the worst paved with large smooth stones that also served as a stream bed in many places making them large smooth wet stones. Our guide would lie to us constantly just 40 minutes uphill! And the nights were in tens and very cold getting used to that now though and of course Ron came along for the journey, definately worth the weight. Again the shared hardship makes friendships easier. The views were absolutely amazing and I don't think anyone can say that Bolivia doesn't have a wide selection of beautiful landscapes. There was one spot on a river bank where you could dip your feet and watch the water flowing over the rocks that I could have stayed in for hours. Just over the next mountain though were even more incredible views. The sense of relief and achievement at the end was imense and the bus ride home although uncomfortable and made worse by the blisters and aching calves was still so good, I love wheels, so much better than walking.

We had one full night in La Paz then had to get up early again to get a flight to Rurrenbeque. But that is another story for another day.
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