Brian giving a banjo lesson during a recent “Learning English Through Music” class for Bolivian teenagers, in El Alto, La Paz.
Photo Journal: Learning English Through Music
Tag: El Alto
Nuestra Señora de La Paz, seen from above…
A few snapshots of the capital of Bolivia [Plurinational State of Bolivia], the city of ‘Nuestra Señora de La Paz’, and we’re looking at a population of over 800 thousand people, just in La Paz. The average elevation of the city, Bolivia is 3,829 meters – what makes one wonder about how we find a way to adjust to ‘life in the high altitude’… But we do, and we’re currently loving it! :oThese are photo shots taken from El Alto, just outside the city, overlooking what seems to be a ‘toy city’, where houses and buildings resemble ‘building blocks’… Above we have, La Paz, during the day, and a snapshot of the city, at night, below. Enjoy!
A few snapshots of the capital of Bolivia [Plurinational State of Bolivia], the city of ‘Nuestra Señora de La Paz‘, and we’re looking at a population of over 800 thousand people, just in La Paz.
The average elevation of the city, Bolivia is 3,829 meters – making one wonder about how we find a way to adjust to ‘life in the high altitude‘… But we do, and we’re currently loving it!
The urban peacefully co-existing with the natural
The ‘photographers’… 😮
These are photo shots taken from El Alto, just outside the city, overlooking what seems to be a ‘toy city’, where houses and buildings resemble ‘building blocks’… Above we have, La Paz, during the day, and a snapshot of the city, at night, below. Enjoy! 😮
Photo Journal: Cultural trip to Copacabana, Bolivia.
This is the second post of a series on the city of Copacabana, the main Bolivian town on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
Our path towards a very restful weekend. Bags packed, kids packed, car tank full. Let’s begin! ♥
Our ‘home away from home’, Hotel Rosario do Lago Titicaca, a welcome respite in this funky beach town …. heavenly views, spacious rooms very tastefully decorated, modern and spacious bath, comfortable and beautiful beds. Food is fantastic with beautiful views overlooking lake and lovely gardens…
This is the second post of a series on the city of Copacabana, the main Bolivian town on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
The previous post focused more on people and our perception of their lives, the image on the right should give a pretty good first impression of what we found during our visit [if curious, hop over to the post using this link!]
Our path towards a very restful weekend. Bags packed, kids packed, car tank full. Let’s begin! ♥
172 kilometers to drive, route including a Ferry!
Leaving La Paz was a breeze! Not the heavy traffic we expected throughout El Alto, and as a bonus, some very interesting buildings along the way – see below!
Our kids simply loved their ‘new way of moving’ along the Lake!
Our ‘home away from home’, Hotel Rosario do Lago Titicaca, a welcome respite in this funky beach town …. heavenly views, spacious rooms very tastefully decorated, modern and spacious bath, comfortable and beautiful beds. Food is fantastic with beautiful views overlooking lake and lovely gardens… Here is what we spotted from our hotel, while enjoying a cup of coffee [me] or a chilled beer [husband] – the magnificent Lake Titicaca:
The city was completely ready for pilgrims and tourists coming from all sorts of places. People seeking blessings, people honoring promises, people of faith and tourists. The colorful city of Copacabana had a special place for each and every one of them!
The street markets were a sure hotspot for visitors! Clothing articles, leather-made products, typical food, ‘the famous tostadas’ were among the offers!
Hiking options were also available to all, and again, the reasons varied with the will: adventure, faith, curiosity, photography… you name it! The views from up top the Calvary Hill are definitely priceless, and made us forget the difficulties climbing up through the 14 Stations [of the Cross] with a bunch of little kids!
The city of Copacabana, spotted from our hiking mid-point
Detail: hiking and adventure see no boundaries… no age is too young!
Entrance to the “Calvary”
Moms & Kids, resting at mid-point.
Our youngest member of the hiking team: a 2-yr-old girl”
Detail from another one of the 14 Stations of the Cross
The little members of our family’s hiking team – our kids!
…and more kids along the way!
Detail from one of the “Stations of the Cross”
The beginning of the hike along the Calvary Hill
Once at the top of the Calvary Hill, we were introduced to the popular Alasitas! Miniatures representing a wish. It could be a house, a job, a diploma, a car…even money! [they actually had miniature copies of dollar bills!]
People would buy their ‘product of desire’ and have it blessed by a priest [at the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana] or by a native yakiri… Some people chose both options, why not? 😮
At the top of the Calvary Hill, it was time to enjoy the magnificent natural beauty around us: the Lake seemed endless, powerful, and yet, soothing. The deep blue colors from the waters mirrored the blue ceiling the sky was offering to all the ones brave enough to accomplish the walk up… ♥
After all this, were we tired? For a bit, we were, for sure. But we found enough energy to keep moving on, and exploring… an island! The Isla del Sol [Sun Island], a 2-hour boat ride away from Copacabana, with occasional stops at the ‘floating islands‘… But this will be part of an upcoming post… For now, just get back to the images, enjoy them, and if you wish, let us know what you think! 😮 Thanks for tagging along with our ‘traveling family of 5′!’
[Spanish] Copacabana, región encantadora a orillas del Lago Titikaka, está situada a una altura de 3.841 m.s.n.m, y a una distancia de 155 km la ciudad de La Paz, que es la sede de Gobierno de Bolivia y la ciudad más importante del país.
El recorrido desde La Paz toma aproximadamente 3 horas y media por carretera asfaltada. Copacabana, casi es un paso obligatorio entre Cusco (Perú) y la ciudad de La Paz.
Related articles
- Photo Project: 52 Bolivian Sundays [week 4, ‘Love’]. (3rdculturechildren.com)
- Photo Essay: People and Feelings of Copacabana, Bolivia. (3rdculturechildren.com)
- Bolivia Vacations (orbitz.com)
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