|
|
|
When in La Paz
La Paz is the world's highest capital city and is quite an unbelievable sight from the sky. It is two miles above sea level and is placed in a canyon floor, with only surrounding mountains and rugged terrain for company. The city is vibrant and the people generally friendly, making for a wonderful stay in one of the world's most unique cities.
Founded in the 16th century by Spanish explorers, La Paz grew thanks to the gold that was to be found in the Río Choqueyapu, a river that is now under the city. The indigenous Aymará Indian population were forced to accept the Spanish religion and way of life and this gave rise to the Spanish-Indian population that typifies the people of Bolivia.
The city's altitude makes for a relatively stable climate. Nights are cool and days almost always pleasantly warm. Heavy rains can be relied on between December to March while June and July rarely see a drop of precipitation.
Walking around town will prove to be an extremely tiring experience due to the altitude so take it easy but don't give up - just think how easy that Sunday morning jog will be when you return to lower levels.
In the centre of town there are a variety distractions to amuse oneself with. The Witches' Market or Mercado de Hechicería can be found among numerous handicraft shops in the Jiménez and Linares areas. Aymará remedies such as herbs can be bought to keep illness or ghostly entities at bay, as too can various other items, some inanimate, some dead, some living.
The Palacio de Los Condes de Arana is home to the Museo Nacional del Arte. The art gallery contains a good number of fine works by famous Bolivian artists, including the late Renaissance paintings of Melchor Pérez de Holguín and modern sculptures by Marina Núñez del Prado.
On Tiwanaku can be found the Museo Nacional de Arqueología, which contains a small but well ordered collection detailing the history of the country. Pottery, mummies and an assortment of skulls are included in the collection, which can fill up a good hour. English tours are infrequent but well-worth latching on to.
The El Alto International Airport is six miles east of town and there are buses and innumerable taxis willing to take you to your destination. Buses to the rest of the country and neighbouring countries depart from the main terminal, which is a short, uphill walk, north from the city centre. There is plenty of competition among companies so fares are often available for a discount.
Getting around town on public transport is easy. There are plenty of buses zipping around as well as cars and minibuses that run specific routes. Taxis are also cheap although they tend to charge a bit more for long uphill sections, of which there are many.
|
|
|
|
Introduction
