Dynamite Vs Tear Gas, La Paz - April 2011

La Paz, Bolivia - The Highest Capital City in the World


Sitting at 3,660 metres, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. It does not make the record of highest city in the world though, that goes to Potosi in Southern Bolivia, which sits at an impressive 4,070 metres.


Fortunately, we have been at altitude for a few weeks now, so we can actually walk around the city without headaches and nausea. It's still makes one a bit breathless and dizzy on an uphill though!


We expected little from La Paz; some dirt, danger and crowds, but what we found was a really happening city, with some great museums, which felt safe to walk around in, even after dark. We were in La Paz when all of the country's workeforce were protesting though; picture the scene: miners throwing ear blasting dinamite at police, who retaliated with plenty of tear gas. All the car alarms were set off by the blasts. We saw the parade come past our hostel, whilst it was still peaceful, but generally managed to keep out of the way. As one local said 'It sounds like bombs are going off'. Little did we know. Our friend Adrienne (whom you might remember from an earlier post in Peru) had the bad luck of getting caught in tear gas, but after an hour or so, she was okay.

A typical view from the bus between Lake Titicaca and La Paz. High in the Andes on the Altiplano.

The first view of La Paz from the bus.

Street sellers, La Paz.

Hats on display in the musical instrument museum...

Peru and Bolivia have numerous, well preserved mummies, due to the altitude and the dryness.

 

Richard drinking the rival to Portuguese Bock. Bock the Bolivian version.
We hardly ate any of our meal because the buffet bar had several different cheeses and breads, including good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The tastiest cheese we have eaten in months.

This is the inside of the contemporary art museum. The building was designed by Gustav Eiffel. In one of the parks in town, there is a mini Eiffel tower too.

The shot marked alabaster windows in the catherdral. A sneaky, hip photo as none were allowed.

The cathedral rooftops.