La Paz City Tour

Wednesday November 3.

When I bought the package tour from Cusco, I asked for a city tour. Little did I know that I would have a private guide and driver! They picked me up at 9am and took me to 5 different places; 1) the Moon Valley- this a badlands area that is just at the outskirts of town, 2) to a view point to get a panoramic view of the city which is built in a valley. In this city the lower you live in the valley the richer you are. 3) the central square where the Presidential Palace is and the Government buildings and a cathedral; 4) to a museum of native artifacts, most were made of gold and were pre Inca; 5 the witch market, where woman sell herbs and remedies that shaman prescribe. In the picture the woman is selling llama fetus that are used as offerings to appease some god.

After all of that, the guide and I went for lunch at a really nice restaurant. He had steak and I had llama kabobs. Came with a salad bar. Really yummy. I think my package tour paid for my lunch and his! Only about $11 each though.

Traffic and jaywalking are such problems here that the government has hired "zebras" to help train the public and especially kids, who to cross the street.

Now, I'm resting and waiting for my pick up to take me to the bus station for an overnight bus to Uyuni and the salt flats. I may be out of touch again for a few days. I'll catch you up when I get back.