Bob’s arrival

Bob arrived yesterday morning on the same early daily flight my parent’s had arrived on. It was 45 minutes late. Originally I had hoped to give him a day of rest to acclimate to the altitude. However it turned out an urban trek I had been trying to arrange had become available. So within three hours of landing Bob, our guide Stephen, two Flemish 20 somethings and I were trekking down the stairways and windy roads from El Alto into La Paz.

It was a good introduction for Bob to see the city. It was early and hazy over the city but I took some photos and posted them. It is really impossible to describe, either in words or photos, the stunning beauty of the geology in which La Paz has been built. It is often called the bowl. The flat Altiplano just drops off in shear cliffs of rifts and craggy valleys. Stephen explained that geologically speaking only about 15% of the area of La Paz should be built on while the reality is that 85% has been built. The soft rocky soil is not a solid base for securing buildings and every year there are large slides as the constantly shifting environment continues it’s erosion.

Stephen’s company, La Paz on Foot, is a must for any visitor to La Paz. They can be visited at: http://www.lapazonfoot.com/ . They offer a number of different urban and country treks (all within the state of La Paz) with a unique and interesting mix of history, geology, politics and a sampling of local fruits. They even host a gastronomical trek. I only wish I had met up with Stephen early in my stay.

After the trek Bob and I rested a little and then headed back into the center to make arrangements for our excursion through the Salar de Uyuni. We walked Calle Comercio to Plaza Murillo and back to a restaurant that had been recommended by a few people. It being Sunday the restaurant was closed so we headed to my favorite old standby, La Comedi. After a pleasant meal we made it back to the apartment to crash. Bob had managed a full day with no real effects of the altitude.

Later in the day we heard back from our fellow trekkers, An and Quinten, who we had invited to ride with us from La Paz to Oruro on Tuesday. They will be meeting us Tuesday morning to share the 3.5 hour ride then they catch a bus on to Sucre.

Today Bob will explore the city and Tiwanaku with Juan, the same guide who toured me, Mom and Dad. It is my day to unpack the apartment and pack the car. My final day in La Paz.