Bolivia Dos and Don'ts

La Paz, Bolivia is one of the most interesting cities to visit.   It is not for the timid traveller, it is one of the highest elevated cities in the world and many that travel to La Paz suffer from altitude sickness.  Mostly European tourist visit.  Once you get adjusted, it is an amazing city.  The "witch market" is a great place to visit. You can find all sorts of charms from brining good luck to your house to enhancing virility and fertility.  The witches really do not care too much for tourists ogling their wares, as they do take their craft seriously.  The food is outstanding.  Mount Ilimani soup is one of my favorite dishes since it helps in combating the altitude, it is a nice broth with chicken, vegetables and some spicy peppers.  Another common item you will find being sold on the street are coca leaves, the locals chew the leaves as part of custom but they also say that it helps to relieve the altitude sickness!  You can also drink coca mate, a tea infused with coca leaves.  In short, if you are looking for an adventure, a different experience, La Paz is a great place to go.  

Don't even try to play football there, or you can buy some new pulmons ! How is it possible that Bolivia had never been to a world cup playing at this altitude ???????

In April, there is the most exciting carnaval in the world : every one in the city has a small (or a big) water gun, loaded with indelible colored ink ... Unforgetable !!!

Take the minibusses from La Paz to El Alto ond the early sunday morning. There you gonna be rewarded for get up early with an lively, colourful and busy market from the locals!

In Bolivia, they tell you to be careful and you have to be! However, European cities are more dangerous in my opinion than La Paz. Yes, poverty is everywhere; there are beggars at every corner....But it is a different world out there - go out and see it.