Bolivia Expedition Dispatch
June 11, 2011 – The Team Arrives and Explores La Paz
Leila Silveira reporting from La Paz. Landing in La Paz is one of the most unique experiences. El Alto International Airport is located at 13,325ft/4061m above sea level and is the highest international airport in the world. Surrounded by amazing mountains, it is really beautiful. I tried to take some photos from the plane; I hope I managed to capture the views. When people get off the plane, it is very easy to tell whether or not they are feeling the altitude.
Our climbing team is arriving in stages; the Chicago team with Mark, his sons Ryan and Jared, and their friend Nathan arrived on the same American Airlines flight at 5:30am with Richard from Texas. They all looked good and ready for the program that lay ahead of them for that day.
We had a short briefing where I introduced some of the Berg Adventures Bolivian team; Osvaldo, our senior guide, who some of them had already met from our Aconcagua expedition; and Teodoro, our cultural guide who will be with us for the next three days for the sightseeing in La Paz, the Tiwanaku visit and the Lake Titicaca program. We will spend two nights on Lake Titicaca to acclimatize.
After a quick breakfast, introductions and a briefing we started our walking tour. The advantage of staying in hotel in downtown is that the main attractions are all around us and there is no need to drive around in La Paz where traffic is pretty wild. Walking is also an excellent way to help acclimatize. So off we went for a great day with blue skies above us as is usual this time of the year in La Paz. We visited Murillo Square, which has been the home of the Bolivian Government since 1898 when La Paz was made the seat of the national government. Sucre remains the historical and judiciary capital of the country.
We ended our tour at the Mercado de Brujas aka Witches Market. With herbs, remedies and many other ingredients used in Aymara traditions, the market is always a fun place to visit. We followed our market visit with a stop at the gallery of our favorite artist, Guido Balgerrama, and Richard bought a beautiful painting.
Views from the plane approaching La Paz
The team that has arrived on schedule – more coming tomorrow.
Jared, Nate and Ryan playing around during the sightseeing tour
The team walking around La Paz
The brothers – Ryan and Jared
Richard, being from Texas, had the biggest water bottle.
Mother taking her daughter to a party
Left: A local man; Right: Local ladies catching up on the news
Walking around the Witches Market
The witches market is fully of interesting things from colourful fabrics and beads to herb, spices and even llama skeletons.
A local woman prepares a ritual to Pachamama, a goddess revered by many Andean cultures.
Ryan and Mark trying on the local hats
Colourful items at the market
A team member bought a mask – but who?
Local vender preparing bags of coca leaves
Coca leaf tea is a popular drink in Bolivia.
Nate at the gallery of a local artist, Guido Balgerrama