Tour through La Paz: 10 things we learned

Tour through La Paz: 10 things we learned

From a lawless Harem in the middle of the city to loving zebras that roam through the city, this tour through La Paz is not an ordinary day trip

Only a few cities have such a dramatic backdrop as La Paz. At 3,650 m above sea level, it is often referred to as the highest capital in the world, although this does not quite correspond to the truth. The official capital of the country is Sucre, which is 690 km southeast.

The curves of his valley are covered by the temporary accommodations of the poor, which stubbornly cling to the steepest gradients. It is essentially a city with two stories: on the one hand, a modern metropolis with cable cars that promote its citizens to dizzying heights; On the other hand, a shaky old town, which is connected to beliefs bordering alchemy.

We absolutely wanted to get under our skin, so we booked a tour of La Paz. We were trying to choose a free tour, but heard good things about the La Paz Off The Beaten Track Walking Tour from Banjo Tours and decided to book them instead. It turned out to be an excellent decision. T

The group size was much smaller than we were used to from free tours (which often fluctuates over 20). Our guide Sergio had a real love for his hometown and a deep knowledge that went far beyond the borders of the tour. Clearly, his enthusiasm, which infected us when we made sure that La Paz was one of the most fascinating cities we had ever visited.

Here are only a few of the reasons for it.

shoe cleaner literally mask their shame

alt = ““ span class = "media-credit"> dream time 'lustrabotas' use hats and storm hoods to hide their identity

You look threatening at first glance, but after hearing your story, you will feel a feeling of sharpness when you come across the shoe cleaners of La Paz or "Lustrabotas", as the locals call them. Many are outliers who live in the mouth and clean shoes to earn their livelihood. They are so ashamed of what they do that they wear baseball hats and storm hoods to hide their identity. While some are involved in drugs and alcohol, many simply try to make rounds. Many La Paz citizens feel committed to shoe cleaners in a way, look after whenever possible and pay more than given to help them on their way.

The San Pedro prison is basically only a lawless harem

Alt = “San Pedro prison, tour through La Paz”> Atlas & Boots The notorious San Pedro prison is not ruled by guards, but by its inmates

oy vey, where do we start? This prison - which is designed for 250 prisoners, but actually houses 2,000 - is a lawless pit that is not ruled by guards, but by prisoners, usually with the most money. Rich prisoners can bring their own furniture and facilities and even their own guests, while the arms have to sleep on the corridors and survive with a diet that hardly ensures maintenance. The notorious prison was once open for tours, but his doors were closed against visitors after violence. However, we hear that if you sit on a certain bank on a certain day on a certain day, a man will pick you up to a unofficial tour of the prison. (Of course we advise against this.)

It is worth noting that San Pedro is the topic of Marching Powder, a fascinating book by Rusty Young about his time in prison with drug dealer Thomas McFadden. The Brad Pitt production company bought the rights to the book, so it could soon come to our screens.

The current president is Bolivia's first indigenous

Evo Morales is loved across the country because he is the first indigenous president of the country. He is left -wing and has focused on reducing poverty, while he is committed to the rights of indigenous people, environmental protection and anti -imperialism. He once quoted the former President Gualberto Villarroel López in a speech with the words: "I am not the enemy of the rich, but rather a friend of the poor."

A watch in the main square runs backwards to remind the citizens of thinking differently

Alt = "Runward-running clock on La Paz tour"> Atlas & Boots reverse clock reminds the citizens that they can question established standards

At first we noticed nothing conspicuous, so asked us to take a second look at it. We quickly realized that the watch ran backwards on the National Congress building. Sergio explained that this serves as a memory for all citizens that they can question established standards and think creatively. Some do not like the clock because they say that it is a symbol of looking back, but not everyone takes it so literally.

You can meet one or two loving zebras

driving in La Paz was once quite "overzealous", let's say. Enter the zebras, an army of once endangered young people who are now wearing zebracostens to clarify drivers and pedestrians about traffic safety. The city's zebras, which are known for their exuberant, loving style, will probably be happy when you are waiting for the green traffic lights or take your head in a played despair if you sprint through traffic instead. The scope of the work of the zebras has expanded in recent years. They are now also leading educational programs to recycling, water savings and bullying.

everywhere are dead animals

alt = "interesting facts about Bolivia"> Atlas & Boots Top animals are bought and mother nature in exchange for blessings

Well, not everywhere, but in many places. We visited the "witch market" in El Alto on the outskirts of La Paz, where women sell rows of dead animals to citizens who offer pachamamama (mother nature) in return for blessings. We asked Sergio how it fits the country's Catholic faith. He explained that the church did not officially support these rituals, but also the importance of indigenous culture and faith.

Bolivia desperately strives for sovereign access to the sea

Bolivia is one of the two inland countries in South America and also one of the poorest. Compare this to Chile, one of the wealthiest countries in the continent. This inequality is partly due to the 420 miles long coast of the Pacific Ocean and 120,000 square kilometers of land that lost Bolivia to Chile in the Pacific War in the 1880s. Since then, the former has been fighting access to the sea and only submitted a lawsuit to the World Court on May 4 of this year. Sergio told us that he prayed that his country will get access one day, but doubts that this will ever happen.

a car is casually wedged in a cliff ...

alt = “”> Atlas & Boots A car that is wedged in a cliff, seen from a cable car

Once a car drove over a cliff and got stuck. It has been there since then. From time to time it slips a few meters, but stays in the cliff. Really standard material.

The poor are buried on top of each other

alt = "Cemetery of La Paz"> Atlas & Boots la Paz cemetery from above

Although this practice is widespread in several cities on the continent, it is the first time that I come across it. The cemetery of La Paz has coffins that are essentially stacked on top of each other to accommodate the citizens whose families cannot afford real graves.

The rooms are rented for up to 10 years, after which the dead are exhumed and cremated. The ashes can then be kept in rented or purchased rooms with glass fronts in the cemetery walls, where families attach memorial plates and memorabilia.

You can eat in the "highest curry house in the world"

sergio told us about Star of India, who claims to be the highest curry house in the world. It also claims to sell the hottest curry in the world. When you're done, you will receive a T-shirt to remember your performance. Apparently a crazy Turk has devoured the curry in 48 seconds, while a quieter Englishman was there for five hours.

Unfortunately we did not assess the food there too high (as a Bangladesh I have high demands on South Asian food), but it was worth the visit just to say that we ate Haus in the highest curry.

tour of La Paz: The essentials

Was: La Paz Off The Beaten Track Walking Tour ($ 29 per person), a 4.5-hour La Paz tour that the historic district of La Paz, its colorful and bizarre markets, cable cars and viewpoints, not to mention a delicious morning snack (the best empanadas that we had in South America!)

If you have time, book the full -day tour that covers what is said above, but also includes the Moon Valley, a moon -like landscape that offers fantastic photo options on clear days ($ 45 per person).

Where: La Paz, Bolivia. We stayed in the fantastic residencial Latino. The road doesn't look like a lot, but the hostel was super clean, airy and bright. There was hot showers around the clock and we even had a heating in the room. WiFi was standard for Bolivia (i.e. not super slow, but not super fast) and there is a PC in the common area that offers a much faster connection free of charge.

When: The time from May to October offers dry, sunny days, with August the most popular month. Rainy season is from November to April. We were there in April and had a few showers, but still enjoyed it!

like: Fly to El Alto International Airport (booking via skyscanner.net) and take a 30-minute taxi to the Residencial Latino (B $ 60–70). If you take a Copacabana bus, you can take a taxi around the bus station (actually only one stop on the roadside) for the 10-minute drive. Book the tour directly at Banjo Tours.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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