Last of La Paz

Hello all! So far, we have traveled to La Paz (an 11-day stay), and Caranavi (a four-day stay). Now, we’re at our longest stop, Cochabamba! Before I tell you about Cochabamba though, let me relate all we saw and did on our last day in La Paz. 

The Sagarnaga Street is where we usually shop for souvenirs at the end of our stay in La Paz, and this time was no different! Making your way to the city’s central square by taxi, you wouldn’t immediately see colorful shops and countless vendors trying to sell you souvenirs. If, though, you start walking in between the buildings surrounding the square, you would find a series of tiny shops tucked away in corners or lining the streets, selling leather goods, toys, notebooks, shawls, accessories, chess sets, slippers, instruments, and more! You have found the Sagarnaga. The quality and quantity are remarkable, which is why we ended up spending all our morning there! 

My Aunt Ruth’s house is in the center of La Paz, only a few blocks from the central square. After our morning in the Sagarnaga, we headed there for lunch. Our afternoon was spent watching a World Cup game (soccer is huge deal in Bolivia!), and observing the National Art Museum of Bolivia through a guided tour. The museum consisted of medieval, pre-colonial, and colonial art. Much of the religious colonial art depicted Mary and Jesus, as well as the apostles. It was interesting to see the distinction between the European Mary and South American Mary, who was triangular-shaped, dark-skinned, and dark-haired.  Looking through this museum proved an afternoon well-spent!

I'm standing next to one of 

the Sagarnaga's shops.

Palacio de Gobierno, where Bolivia's president works.

We are in the art museum's courtyard.

Our tour had just ended, and night was already falling. 

What a great day!