La Paz Shopping

Kind of a non day really. I plan to hang around La Paz (at an altitude of 3,700 m) for a few days to acclimatise. There's a mountain nearby, Huyana Potosi, with a summit of 6,088 m which I hope to climb. I spend most of the day wandering around market stalls shopping for souvenirs. There are lots of crafts around and being Bolivia, it shouldn't cost too much to ship it all home.

At first I was little taken aback when approached by a shoe shine boy wearing a full face balaclava. But it's all good, many wear then for anonymity, ashamed of their jobs, meaning they won't get recognised when they go out clubbing at night. Out of all the beggars encountered, the most unusual was an old man with no hands playing the harmonica! I figure a lot of everyday tasks must be very different for him! It's also time for another cut throat shave. At 10 Bs it's cheaper than buying a disposable razor!

For dinner Sean &Monika, Mark &Mindy and I go to Sol y Lunar, only it's heaving! We take the last table upstairs and order beers and food. A few beers and 1½ hours later, still no food and the place is rammed to the hilt. We ask the overworked staff about our food, they haven't even begun to prepare it so we pay for the drinks and head back to the Angelo Colonial Cafe instead. Many sarcastic jokes are made about couples enjoying romantic candle light dinners together with Stevie! I remark they'll all miss me when I'm gone!

Posted by Steve Eynon