Views of La Paz

 Today we had a chilled start to the day, with a late breakfast which included a cup of tea, orange juice and a mountain of toast and jam. Luxury! 

We strolled up to the first cable car in the north of the city where we took in the views across the sprawling city of la Paz and the mountains beyond. 

At the top we found a quiet, secluded sun trap where we could look down on the city in peace. 

Once back down we took the back roads toward the second cable car and discovered that Saturday is market day in la Paz so the streets were filled with people and cars crisscrossing all over. 

From one of the many fruit stall we purchased a couple of red bananas which were very much like the regular variety but slightly denser. 

From here we continued down the street and were met by a brass band and an array of dancers in a colourful array of traditional dress. At the front of the procession was a small group dressed in in black carrying a box of smoking ashes so we think it may have been a funeral. Behind the mood was more celebratory. 

After puffing our way up a very steep hill at this high altitude we made it to the second cable car. This was at the southern end of the city which was a complete contrast to the north. Here the brick buildings were replaced by glass and concrete tower blocks and the traditional dress replaced with modern clothes. 

Under the suggestion from an American Peruvian man we caught the cable car to both sides of the city; a 2 hour round trip! 

We were supeised to see a more modern area of the city over the hill into the next valley; la Paz is a lot bigger than we thought. 

We finally made it back to the original cable car station and walked the long road back under the intense sun to our usual square. Here we wrote our diaries and then set out on a food hunt. Dinner tonight was less than inspiring as we had a dry, family empty empanadas followed by an even drier scone like flavourless bread, yum yum. 

We're now preparing for the 12 hour night bus to the salt flats. Once there we may not have internet for a few days, don't miss us too much!