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la paz

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La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz, the capital Bolivia is the highest capital in the whole world with altitudes ranging anywhere from 3100 metres (10170 feet) to 4058 metres (13,313 feet). The city is not spectacular in itself, but like any big city, it has many people and this has many things to do and very terrible traffic. One of the differences from any major city I've seen though is the extreme of ethnic traditional people and the stereotype metro city moden inhabitant. Everyone lives in harmony, traditional dresses intermingled with modern dresses. It has to be the cheapest city I've been so far in my South America trip. In fact, I got a hotel room - yes a hotel room with own bathroom & tv and breakfast - not a hostel dorm bed - for $9 a night. 

Also, while in LaPaz, I decided to take some Spanish clases and went to the SpeakEasy Institute and got 15 hours of Spanish classes - 1:1 with a teacher and it was great to have somebody to speak with who'll correct me and guide me in the right direction, as I found out, I do understand most of what they say in Spanish (due to it's similarity to French) but just have no practice at all. We acted many scenarios and just spoke in Spanish and it was pretty good.

 

Filed under  //  big city   bolivia   la paz   south america backpacking   travel   travelogue  
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Cholitas Wrestling (Lucha Libre), La Paz, Bolivia

Cholita Wrestling is very famous and popular event in Bolivia. The modern day use of the name Chola and Cholita in Bolivia applies to women dressed in traditional clothing which includes a massive skirt with petticoats, a blouse and shawl or blanket all topped off with a bowler hat. Usually you won't expect these traditional women to be wrestling with each other and/or with men, but that's what Cholita Wrestling is about.

They have special seats and tickets for tourists in the front seats, but it's very popular with locals too and the stadium was very packed. It happens every Sunday in El Alto and is WILD !! Same as WWF wrestling, most of it seem pre-staged, but entertaining nonetheless. Difference is that the crowd throws stuff at the wrestlers - orange peels, empty bottles, chicken bones, fruits, popcorn, etc..But, the crowd also takes a hit. The wrestlers don't hesitate to come at the crowd, throw stuff at the crowd, water, coke, popcorn, whatever they can get their hands on or just forcefully take the crowd's stuff - water/drinks etc... I got a good throw of coke on me while there and stayed sticky the entire time.

 

 

Filed under  //  bolivia   cholita   fighting   la paz   south america backpacking   travel   travelogue   video   wrestling  
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Witches Market, La Paz, Bolivia

La Paz has a very uncommon market - a witch market, where vendors sell llama fetuses, dried frogs for Aymara rituals, as well as soapstone figurines and aphrodisiac formulas, amongst other things. Other common products include dried herbs, seeds and various parts of frogs and insects used in rituals.These are used in folk remedies and a variety of fascinating ingredients used to manipulate the many spirits that populate the Aymara world. 

The most visible product in most stalls are dried llama fetuses - these are always buried in the foundations of new constructions or businesses as an offering to the goddess Pachamama (Mother Earth). The llama sacrifice encourages the goddess to protect the workers from accidents and bring good luck to the business. 

Filed under  //  bolivia   la paz   sorcery   south america backpacking   travel   travelogue   witch  
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I survived the world's most dangeous vindaloo in La Paz, Bolivia !

I just got this tshirt for free after I finished my entire plate of supposedly the world's hottest vindaloo made with some 25 Bolivian chili peppers at the Star of Indian Curry House in La Paz, Bolivia. When I tried to order, they kept on discouraging me telling me that it's very very hot and that I might not like it and if I would like something else, but I persisted and ordered and it was in fact pretty hot, but nothing too unmanageable, as I do and can eat very very hot...

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Sent from my iPhone

Filed under  //  bolivia   food   indian food   la paz   south america backpacking   travel   travelogue  
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COCA Leaves - Chew, Chew, Chew...

One the secrets to survive the altitude sickness in the highest capital of the world - La Paz - is to chew Coca Leaves !! Chewing coca leaves is part of everyday life here in la Paz. The coca leaves is supposed to help with more oxygen in ur body and adapt to the high altitude.. I bought a whole bag of it when I came for about 20 cents usd. You put a few leaves in your mouth, add some bicarbonate as well (it brings out the chemicals of the coca leaves) and it sure does help cope with altitude sickness !! Coca leaves among it's many uses, is used to make cocaine as well as coca cola !!

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Filed under  //  bolivia   enhancer   food   la paz   south america backpacking   travel   travelogue  
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