La Paz, Bolivia 19 Feb

Oh La Paz, La Paz, what can i say.... So so so so beautiful and colorful. La Paz literally means The Peace, however, i would say that this city is exactally the opposite of peaceful. Its loud, and its rude, and its ENORMOUS, its hilly, and amazing. So colorful, such happy friendly people. I could have stayed for much longer, but being on a budget certainly keeps you moving! Though La Paz is the highest city in the world, and also one of the biggest, it is actually not the capital of Bolivia. Sucre, a little further south is technically the captial... however, nothing, government wise is located in Sucre, its all in La Paz. Bolivia is a very beautiful, very old country. People are very traditional in dress, mannerisms, and lifestyle. They used to subsist on a diet based mostly out of Quinoa (looks like cous cous, but is actually a protein), until it became popular in the rest of the world, and is now almost completely exported, and whats left is consummed by toursits, becuase it too expensive for the locals. There are various celebrations and carnivals throughout the year that have through time combine acient practices, the mixing of races, and new religons into them. Many of the masks and costumes we saw were very asian inspired, combine with touches of white and black influences that came to the country for various reasons. I was particulary inspired by the color hand woven textiles that i saw throughout the country. No table is naked, all are covered by colorful fabrics, the women are never without at least 5 beautifully clashing colors, and the buildings are decorated in a rainbow of colors. And because Bolivia was by far the cheapest country we have visited so far, i was highly inspired to by things, many things, which now i must lug around for the rest of my trip.... great job.
A few pictures for you, though i could never fully paint an accurate picture. First pic is of the main plaza surrounded mostly by government buildings, and scary angry pidgeons. yikes! pic two, of me in the textile and celebrations museum, becoming part of a display. 3rd pic of a very old woven textile in the museum. 4th pic, La Paz, from up above, maybe, MAYBE 1/3 rd of this sprawling city. Last pic a traditional carnival mask and vest. All i have to say, is that i love Bolivia, all of it, and i will, most certainly be back.