La Paz – A hilly maze, made accessible

Great views from the cablecar lines
Great views from the cablecar lines

FEB 3, 2016 – I spent the first night in La Paz at a hostel near the bus terminal and then stayed with a CouchSurfing host, an English teacher and translator of American origin. It took me a while to understand the city’s transit system, but I finally found it quite useful. Colectivos connect the different areas with frequent service, and three cable car lines, built by Austrian company Doppelmayr, provide a fast and scenic link between some parts of the city. Apparently La Paz’ government is planning to build seven more of these lines, so that the city will have an entire rapid transit system consisting of cable car lines. Through gondola supplier CWA, the Swiss industry is also implied in the project. During my stay in La Paz, I organized the rest of my short trip through Bolivia. I visited the nearby “Valle de la luna”, a group of rock formations that is not very impressive. There is another “moon valley” in Chile, which I assume is bigger.

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Miniatures of various objects are used as talismans in the hope of obtaining them in full size eventually
Miniatures of various objects are used as talismans in the hope of obtaining them in full size eventually
Apparently some rituals involve llama fetuses
Apparently some rituals involve llama fetuses

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The souvenirs are just as colorful as the city itself
The souvenirs are even more colorful than the city itself
These old Dodges are quite commonly used as colectivos here
These old Dodges are quite commonly used as colectivos here
Toyota Hiaces and their Chinese copies are even more common
Toyota Hiaces and their Chinese copies are even more common
Fruit salad at the central market - an attraction not to miss
Fruit salad at the central market – an attraction not to miss
Alasitas festival - a yearly market selling mostly miniatures
Alasitas festival – a yearly market selling mostly miniatures

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Miniature money seems to be a favorite
Miniature money seems to be a favorite
Valle de la Luna
Valle de la Luna

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Some nice cacti for my collection
Some nice cacti for my collection

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An abandoned succulent garden that apparently failed to bring more tourists here
An abandoned succulent garden that apparently failed to bring more tourists here

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