What a difference a nights sleep makes. Everything looks better and actually the hotel is a very nice converted mansion with internal courtyards. Our room is rather small and definitely needs the heater on as it can get quite chilly but we had a good nights sleep and the shower is hot which is really all you need!
We headed out into the city somewhat cautiously, carrying limited personal effects and had a really interesting day. My sister Hester had recommended that we visit the ‘Witches Market’ which is actually a row of shops selling unusual items. A lot of people believe in witchcraft and spells and potions both good and bad here. I thought I had better not post a photograph of the shops which sold mummified young llamas and embryos... herbs and unidentifiable objects tied up in bunches and a dearth of small carved stone tokens designed to bestow either good health, safely for the family or long life.
Instead I managed a sneaky shot of one of the many bowler hatted ladies on a stall selling herbal remedies for illnesses.
The city is obviously quite poor by Western Europe standards and the pavements are full of lethal deep holes and crooked paving stones. The electrics in the street would not pass H&S standards but this is partly what gives the city it’s character. We have tomorrow morning for some more exploring and to post a parcel of gifts home from the main ‘Correos’ (post office) which are beginning to weigh down my suitcase!
We then have an afternoon flight to the colonial town of Sucre - still in Bolivia for a couple of nights before the next big part of our expedition to travel across the Uyuni salt plains over 3-days.
