La Paz

Arrived in La Paz from Lima after longest journey of trip, clocking in at 47 hours. Involved a lovely pre border crossing nap at 4am on the floor of coldest bus terminal known to man.

Some unreal 10 course tasting menus - plus some other more questionable menu translations..

Went to one of the biggest markets in South America. I ended up in some elaborate distraction ruse (an old lady, of all people) where they tried to rob me. Attempt failed. Fortunately wedging my kindle into bumbag makes removal of anything quite difficult. Will not be returning there.

Experienced the cholitas wrestling. Mayhem. One of the ladies getting a bit too close for comfort, after being thrown to the floor by a teenage boy. Also cycled death road and saw some dino footprints.

Sadly, we witnessed protests & road blocks across the country due to fuel shortage and inflation. Trapped in cities at points unable to leave (other than some exceptional off-road taxi rides, cramming people in with child sat up front on the gear stick).

Final pic shows La Paz San Pedro prison, run by the inmates, slap bang in the middle of city. Had a tour by New Yorker ‘Crazy Dave’, who served 14 years for drug smuggling. Used to take tourists into the prison but no longer possible. Genuinely mental stories. Read Marching Powder if you’re interested. He encouraged us to have a look through the gun holes in the main door - I was met with a view of 50 men crowded together staring back at me. Slightly disconcerting. Turns out it was visitation hours. Also first time I’ve had a tour guide jump in my face and pretend to strangle me as a joke.