La Paz

After Nicaragua we flew back to Miami and had a 6 hour wait until our flight to La Paz in Bolivia. The flight landed just on sunrise, so we had a great view of the city as we arrived. La Paz sprawls out over the plateau where the airport is, down into the steep valley with houses packed onto the sides. We were staying in a hotel fairly close to the centre of the city, which we were delivered to by taxi.

We checked in and then walked up the 3 flights of stairs to our room... at which point it hit us that we were now at 3600m above sea level. Breathing was remarkably difficult! We'd be warned, and I guess we expected it, but to experience it is a weird feeling. Even walking up a small rise left us breathless. Consequently, we crashed for most of that day, except to duck out for some super cheap food: 2 bread rolls, packet of crackers, and 2 hot pastry things for 8.5 Bolianos (A$1.20) for dinner. Bolivia wins the prize for cheapest country so far.

Friday, feeling mostly over the altitude, we spent wandering the city – wow! So many markets, with everything South American you can imagine. Each little stall sells one specific style of things, like stationary, shoes, fruit etc. Some of the small stalls might just sell one thing; zippers, door bolts, rubber gaskets. It's hard to appreciate this whole different way of shopping, I have no idea how you'd know where to go for what you wanted! The people are really gentle and friendly, although we're getting pretty good at saying “no, gracias” to everyone that offers you something. Lots of felt hats to be seen! We walked around and saw few sites, but mostly just enjoyed the atmosphere.

Saturday was our first day as a part of our 37 day Peru & Ecuador tour. Primarily we spent the day travelling from La Paz to Puno (yes, Puno all you Armidale folk!) in Peru. There are 23 of us, and we all sit in the back of a custom built truck/bus when we're driving. Still getting names down, but so far really enjoying everyone's company. Mostly Brits, 2 Kiwis (our Southern Hemisphere buddies!), a Finn, South African and Dutch. Most of them have been on the tour for either 2 or 10 weeks, there were 4 others that joined it with us in La Paz. Ages are from 18 to 60, so there's some diversity :-)

We crossed the border into Peru, and stopped for lunch on the side of the road. The roads are pretty good, better than in Southern Bolivia apparently. We followed lake Titicaca around the Southern side until we arrived in Puno, which is where we are now. It's a smallish city, it doesn't talk long to walk the main strip. Our hotel is great, hot water (not always guaranteed), good included breakfast, free wifi, and a TV with a remote and a channel list (a first for anywhere we've stayed). We've just spent 2 days out on the lake, but more of that to come later.

Coming into La Paz

Lady at a stall in the street

Government building in the old city square

This gives a bit of an idea of how hilly La Paz is, and that it's surrounded by mountains

Our tour truck on the way to Peru

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Kids coming home from school in Puno

Yep, Puno :-)