La Paz has to be the scariest, most dirtiest city I have ever been to. It is also the worlds highest city dont you know!

Within half an hour of our group getting here we had already had two bag snatch attempts. We got to out hotel safe and sound...the one by one came down with dodgy tummys, me included. Being ill when travelling sucks, expecially in Bolivia. Two ladies from Australia are off home this week due to illness-they just cant cope any more, and I really feel for them.

Yesterday there was a huge festival in the city. All the roads were closed, including all the shops, which made it impossibe to do aything other than sleep, which I took great advantage off. The parades were mad...costumes were great and bands were loud. Unortunately if you wanted to cross the road you had to wait hours for the olice to let you through...not fun when you feel like you´re about to faint.

I ventured out today and visited the Coca museum. Quite interesting, chronicling the cultivation of the coca leaf centurires ago by the South American tribes to alleiviate hunger and fatigue. It was only when America and Europe got hold of it and began to exploit the anethestic qualities, and then make it into an illegal substance, that the problems began. It was very intersting, but must remember to take the coca leaves out of my bag before I fly anywhere..don´t want to be arrested or drug trafficking! Hope to be off to Peru tomorrow, if we ever meet our tour leader, he was supposed to arrive yesterday..but is a no show so far. at least it gives us all a day to recover before another death ride in Bolivias finest pubic transport.