The first time I traveled outside my country (Venezuela) I went to Bolivia. I was super excited because it was a long enough trip (more than 7 hours of flight with two stopovers included) and far enough to be the first overseas. I had already traveled and ventured a lot in my country, but I did not know what it was like to be in foreign lands.
It was in 2013, when together with my sisters, we gave ourselves this great trip that we will never forget and that, without a doubt, changed my life, because I took the pleasure of traveling XD
La Paz is a charming city, full of contrasts and very interesting, first because it is the highest capital in the world (3640 m above sea level), and second because it keeps its Aymara roots alive in everyday life. For me it was amazing at that time to see the idiosyncrasy of its people, so linked to their origins; Then I realized that in parts of Ecuador and Peru the Andean culture of yesteryear is also deeply rooted, but for me it was a great cultural impact to find all this lifestyle in the 21st century.
From the city we got to know the historic center, full of culture, history and color !! Its colonial streets are beautiful! We walked through the Basilica of San Francisco, Sagárnaga street, which is an artisan center and also a point of hostels and inns for tourists! Going up this street you can reach the Witches Market, a picturesque place, where the most striking thing was the sale of llama fetuses, it turns out that in Bolivia shamanic traditions and offerings to the Pachamama are still maintained, and these fetuses are used for these rituals ... it is quite an experience to walk through these streets full of magic and tradition! Here in the Witches market we buy coca leaves, because the altitude was affecting us and we were short of breath when walking, and coca is an infallible remedy against soroche (mountain sickness).
We also walked through the emblematic Plaza Murillo, where the Government Palace and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace are located. Millions of pigeons welcome you here waiting for you to feed them, seriously, there are a lot of pigeons !!! it's fun and surprising to find so many .. XD I enjoyed taking photos! Every place I looked there was something beautiful to portray!
We visited other parts of the city, which right now I don't remember their names, but what I can tell you is that in La Paz there is a lot of contrast in social classes. There are upper-class areas that seem like European areas, and others in which the economic humility of its inhabitants is evident ... however, this gives the city a certain charm, it is like a place where everyone fits!
As we stayed a week, we had time to get out of the city a bit, visit the archaeological city of Tiwanaku and reach the border with Peru, the town of Desaguadero, and see a part of the majestic Lake Titicaca, the largest in South America and the highest navigable body of water in the world. It is impressive to be in front of that lake!
Bolivia is a country of hard-working and fighting people! I was surprised to see the role of women in this society ... fully involved with the support of their families! It is a highly matriarchal people. Bolivian women are very strong and noble!
So was this beautiful trip we made to an Incredible country !! .. I really liked living this experience .. because at the end of everything, the only thing that matters are the moments in which one lives completely, where one is happy! .. Travel is to live fully!
I hope you enjoyed reliving this memory with me! And that through the photos you have enjoyed this walk through Bolivia!