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Today was a pretty low key day. Considering I didn't get to bed until 5am this morning, meant that the majority of my morning was spent sleeping!!
I woke up at around 10am, however just lazed around in bed, enjoying the fact that I didn't need to get up. I could see the sun filtering through the gaps of the blinds, however after checking my weather app I don't know just how long this sunshine will last.
I decided that it was time to get up, when I received a phone call from my Spanish speaking maid asking me if I wanted my room made up. I had put my do not disturb sign on my door, just to make sure that the maid didn't walk in and get the shock of her life seeing me sleeping in bed!!
I let the maid know that I didn't want my room made up. As I was getting all of my stuff ready for a shower, the phone rang again. This time it was the English speaking receptionist, phoning to make sure that I really didn't want my room made up. I guess he was just checking up on the maid!! Again I advised that I was happy to not have my room made.... and with that I was free to get ready for the rest of the day.
After my shower, I opened my blinds to see that the weather had in fact changed and it was pelting down. I decided to sort out some of my stuff, and watched as the rain turned to hail!! Yep, I might just hang in my room just for a little while longer!!
The rain started to lighten a little, and I took the opportunity to make my move. Having absolutely no cash, I had to hit up an ATM stat. So I put my rain coat on and braved the elements. In the grand scheme of things, I didn't need to be concerned about the rain, but rather the traffic.
Somehow, I managed to cross 2 main roads, leading on to one huge roundabout, without being collected. It was easy to see, that Bolivia also carried on the tradition of South American chaotic roads. I think the theory of no rules are good rules seem to work here for those in cars, however for those of us needing to cross a street it was down right scary!!
All cashed up, I headed straight back to the hotel to offload some of it.... I've heard a number of stories from people who have already travelled to La Paz that they are quick to target a gringo!! The old squirting something on your back, and whilst you are so distracted about a bird s***ting on your back, the old nifty fingers have lifted your wallet, lightening your load!! So keeping this in mind, I was quick to head back and safely lock up my extra cash!!
I decided that it was time for me to go and see some of La Paz. So I started to walk towards the main square. Considering La Paz is located at 3900m above sea level, I was hoping that I wouldn't be struck down by the evils of altitude sickness. I have been so lucky so far, without feeling too many effects of the high altitudes of Cuzco or Bogota. As I walked up and down the hilly streets of La Paz, I definitely found my body having to work that little bit harder to oxygenate my muscles. I huffed and puffed, and felt my heart pumping away quite quickly, especially when walking up the very steep hills. But this was as bad as it got for me, so I was very lucky!!
As I walked along the streets, I saw many brick buildings, showing their age. Inside, commercial businesses, however most of which looked closed. After walking for about 20 mins, I eventually came to the main square. As I arrived, the rain had stopped, allowing me to see the amazing buildings that surround the square.
The first building I saw was the presidential palace, guarded by young men in the traditional military uniforms.
I then headed towards the centre of the square to get a better look at my surroundings.
There was an impressive monument in the centre of the square, completely covered in pigeons. This square was crawling with them. Many with p**** tumours extending from their backs..... they were freaking me out.
I quickly walked out of the square, trying to avoid the pigeons and checked out some of the other buildings. One of which, had a clock at the top of the building. Not so unusual I hear you saying, that is until you looked a little closer. The clocks numbers were actually in reverse, so that it went 12, 11, 10, 9 etc, instead of 12, 1, 2, 3 etc. Pretty cool!!
I walked past the cathedral, and started to head towards the witch doctors market. I had heard that I would be able to find a lot of unique and really cool stuff here. So again, I walked up and down the really steep streets. I finally arrived at the area where the market should have been, however I couldn't see anything open. I walked around the neighbourhood, and couldn't really see anything that resembled a witch doctors market. So after walking the streets for about an hour, without any luck, I decided that it was time for me to head back to my hotel and along the way pick something up for lunch.
I came across a subway, yep that will do for lunch. I was so happy, that I was actually able to order my sub using only Spanish!! I put it in my bag, and continued on my way back to the hotel.
As I passed the square again, I had arrived at the right time. I watched, as the change of the presidential guards took place. I then again continued on my way back to the hotel.
I was hungry by the time I made it back to my room, so I happily sat on my bed, watched some tv and ate my lunch.
I spent the afternoon in my room, reading my iBook and watching as the weather again turned, and the rain fell down outside my window.
By dinner time, I found that I was still so full from my lunch.... With high altitude, also comes the slowing of your digestion system, and I had been well and truly hit by this today!!
Instead, I was more than happy to watch a movie and have an early night.... hopefully catching up on some of that missed sleep from last night!!!
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