Worlds highest capitol

La Paz is truly a different type of capitol city.. it is so colorful and vibrant.. the markets and locals in their traditional attire add to the charm of the city.. the day we arrive we saw a teachers demonstration, a regular occurence it seems as we have run into 3 more demonstrations since.. all peaceful thankfully. although when they let off fire crackers it can be a bit scary at first.. the witches markets were colorful, we saw a man reading coca leaves, dried llama feutuses and a lot of other wickedly bizarre stuff.. the tourist area is a bit over the top but we took the city bus tour (think red double decker bus) yesterday, on a recommendation from Neil and Alison.. we saw the posh parts of town, Valley of the Moon and a nice lookout over the city.. since being back in La Paz we have been hanging out down the south end of town away from the tourist area and it seriously feels like a different place.. no one trying to hawk me a dodgy llama wool beanie.. we are staying on the main street so watch the constant assortment of buses and collectivos spewing out exhaust fumes as they struggle up the hill.. traffic rules seem nonexistent and the pedestrian does NOT have right of way. The San Pedro prison is in the city, one of the most bizarre tourist attractions around
http://www.marchingpowder.com/

There are a lot of police and military police around so the city itself feels really safe. and in the tourist area the tourist police will even give you directions and an escort to your destination if you look lost. having our friends from the salt flats in town at the same time has been really fun and social.