La Paz

After an overnight flight from Miami we arrived at La Paz, cleared customs, picked up our luggage and were on the bus by 8 am - a foreshadowing of the many early mornings we were to have on ...

2009-01-12T13:57:44Z

Clive
After an overnight flight from Miami we arrived at La Paz, cleared customs, picked up our luggage and were on the bus by 8 am - a foreshadowing of the many early mornings we were to have on ...

The altitude of the airport is 13325 ft. My watch shows only 12747 ft because a low pressure system affected the reading

2009-01-12T13:57:14Z

Clive
The altitude of the airport is 13325 ft. My watch shows only 12747 ft because a low pressure system affected the reading

The city of La Paz is set in a valley. The lower the area, the more prestigious is the property, The poorer people live hight on the maountain side, or on the plateau above the city.

2009-01-12T13:54:04Z

Clive
The city of La Paz is set in a valley. The lower the area, the more prestigious is the property, The poorer people live hight on the maountain side, or on the plateau above the city.

The main street on which the hotel was located

2009-01-12T13:55:10Z

Clive
The main street on which the hotel was located

The slum areas

2009-01-12T13:52:33Z

Clive
The slum areas

An orthopeadic clinic occupied the buliding across the street

2009-01-12T13:56:27Z

Clive
An orthopeadic clinic occupied the buliding across the street

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:54:33Z

Clive

The presidential Guard

2009-01-12T13:53:37Z

Clive
The presidential Guard

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:56:54Z

Clive

These are tax preparers - the Bolivian equivalent of H&R Block

2009-01-12T13:51:23Z

Clive
These are tax preparers - the Bolivian equivalent of H&R Block

La Paz sunset

2009-01-12T13:53:41Z

Clive
La Paz sunset

There were long lines outside many offices, waitng for evry conceivable beaurocratic action - issuing certified copies of birth certificates which are required for almost every other transa ...

2009-01-12T13:54:58Z

Clive
There were long lines outside many offices, waitng for evry conceivable beaurocratic action - issuing certified copies of birth certificates which are required for almost every other transa ...

City gardens were well maintained

2009-01-12T13:54:21Z

Clive
City gardens were well maintained

Traffic jams of busses everywhere

2009-01-12T13:56:33Z

Clive
Traffic jams of busses everywhere

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:52:12Z

Clive

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:53:49Z

Clive

We toured the section of the city where all the stores rented costumes for parades. This was the end of the Mardi Gras period, so they were all open. People were returning their costumes.

2009-01-12T13:53:23Z

Clive
We toured the section of the city where all the stores rented costumes for parades. This was the end of the Mardi Gras period, so they were all open. People were returning their costumes.

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:53:03Z

Clive

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:52:07Z

Clive

Sign in the men's toilet.

2009-01-12T13:50:06Z

Clive
Sign in the men's toilet.

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:50:02Z

Clive

Clive's photo

2009-01-12T13:48:26Z

Clive

Next, the market

2009-01-12T13:55:21Z

Clive
Next, the market

Air dried potatoes

2009-01-12T13:54:07Z

Clive
Air dried potatoes

Lunch was traditional Perivian, with an emphasis on potatoes

2009-01-12T13:51:06Z

Clive
Lunch was traditional Perivian, with an emphasis on potatoes

We visted the Valley of the Moon, where this man played the pan pipes.

2009-01-12T13:49:45Z

Clive
We visted the Valley of the Moon, where this man played the pan pipes.

By now we had come to realize that ice-cream was an essential part of every lunch and dinner. Who's complaining?

2009-01-12T13:50:12Z

Clive
By now we had come to realize that ice-cream was an essential part of every lunch and dinner. Who's complaining?

Next we visited a "Witches Shop (sic)". Cures and causes for every known disease, plus a few unknown diseases, were available. This display included "Snail of Drivel" and other delights.

2009-01-12T13:52:09Z

Clive
Next we visited a "Witches Shop (sic)". Cures and causes for every known disease, plus a few unknown diseases, were available. This display included "Snail of Drivel" and other delights.

Llama fetuses had their uses, apparently.

2009-01-12T13:47:31Z

Clive
Llama fetuses had their uses, apparently.

The police dress up to promote the use of - you guessed right - zebra crossings!

2009-01-12T13:40:02Z

Clive
The police dress up to promote the use of - you guessed right - zebra crossings!

Over a million squatters have moved onto the high plateau above La Paz - the Alto Plano (aka Altiplano). In the background - a holy peak.

2009-01-12T13:36:59Z

Clive
Over a million squatters have moved onto the high plateau above La Paz - the Alto Plano (aka Altiplano). In the background - a holy peak.

Brick oven. The government makes clay bricks available at a low cost.

2009-01-12T13:37:46Z

Clive
Brick oven. The government makes clay bricks available at a low cost.

The Alto Plano. High and flat, indeed.

2009-01-12T13:39:02Z

Clive
The Alto Plano. High and flat, indeed.

Farm on the Alto Plano

2009-01-12T13:36:48Z

Clive
Farm on the Alto Plano