I still vote this the most exciting and unique city in South America, two visits here, last one in 2007. This is one of these unusual cities, whereas in most cities, the rich live on the higher hills for the best views, but not here! Here, the richer live at the lower altitudes in Moon Valley, looking up for their views, rather than down.
The best views are left to the poorest of the poor in La Paz, in El Alto, at 13,000 feet. Here, at that altitude, it would tax the rich too much, perhaps they couldn't breath properly up there, so they're down in Moon Valley at 11,000 feet, not even in the central core at 12,500 feet!
This is an amazing city! At this altitude, if you're walking on the level, or downhill, you'd never believe you're up at 12,500 feet. But just try to walk up a half flight of stairs in your hotel sometime!!! Or walk uphill! Bam!!!
That's when it hits you, right square in the lungs!
Potosi is even more extreme, at 14,000 feet. There's where I finally surrendered to the coca tea to ward off altitude sickness!
What's a real mind boggler is to see these women scaling those veritical streets there, with carrying a heavy sack of potatoes in that high altitude!
Just love that Mt. Illimani looming over the city! Awesome!
No other city in the world like it! One of a kind for sure!
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