Bolivia: Tiwanaku and La Paz

Yesterday we did the border crossing into Bolivia and that was totally interesting; especially so when your tour leader crosses himself when we actually arrive.  What wasn't he telling us???  Maybe it was (again) the two near misses with oncoming traffic and he was perched in the middle of the front bench seat with no seat belt on. Maybe that was it.

We left Peru behind and walked across the bridge that crossed the river border.  Passports, forms, stamps, visas and we are in.  We had to pretend to not recognise our Peruvian tour leader and hang out with a new Bolivian stand-in until all official papers were done, When we were out of ear shot of border control, we were all smiles and hellos again!

One of our first stops in Bolivia was Tiwanaku where we explored some ruins that dated back to 900BC.  It was fascinating hearing about the people and their culture from back then.  It was slightly marred by the fact a gale was blowing and we were nearly blown back into Peru. I took pictures of the storm clouds and found out later that the winds were the tail end of a hurricane in the jungle just behind the Andes.

Tiwanaku buildings

Storm brewing over the Andes and into the Amazon

 I can´t say much about Bolivia to do it justice because I've only been in La Paz for 2 days and I´d hate to review or comment. The only thing I will say is this...

La Paz was actually founded in a more sensible, flatter part of Bolivia not far from the present site but during colonisation, the Spanish decided that it was better to move La Paz right onto the river that carried gold in it. Gold you could reach in and pick up from the water.  Today, La Paz in now built on the most unstable land formation I have ever seen. Think perching a city on the top of structures found in Monument Valley! During serious wet seasons, thousands of homes are washed away in mud slides. 

La Paz by day from the lookout

 

La Paz by night from our hotel rooftop

The pictures of La Paz are amazing but I can't help thinking, what the hell were the Spaniards thinking all those centuries ago.
We've been to some look outs and to Moon Valley were the landscape is truly amazing. 

Moon valley landscape

During the same city tour we went to the Witch's Market and were acquainted with not only the herbal remedies and medicines but also the dried whole alpaca baby foetus bought and used during traditional Quechuan ceremonies.

The offerings of sweets and foetus to Pachamama (Mother Earth)

Street protest right outside the hotel where they were letting off fireworks

Were we are living, the streets are up and down... so altitude keeps me walking slowly or not at all.  I do wish I had more time to explore but my focus is Galapagos in 2 days times.

Can you also believe that Tim the New Zealander turned up in the same cafe I was sitting in La Paz again?  In a city with a population of millions, what would be the chance of that?

See you in The Galapagos!!