Day 76 - We are no threat to the president, let us in!

La Paz

Today we went to a bookshop/cafe to get a decent coffee only to be told we had ten minutes as they closed at 12.30, us and the many other tourists who wanted coffee and lunch had our normal tourist discussion on how difficult it is to be a tourist in a country that closes its doors so often.

We then headed off to an afternoon walking tour, this one wasn't free though, we paid in advance about $6 each, which is around what we would normally tip on a "free" walking tour, perhaps a little less in fact. This one was different in other ways as well. Generally we've found that walking tours have a good mix of ages, this one though was all backpackers in their early 20's plus us two oldies. The group was also huge, almost 40 people, we are used to groups this big being split - not a good start!

We did get to see the regular market (food etc.) as well as the witches' market again, this time with some explanation of the various potions you could buy (love potions being quite popular of course).

Obligatory market shot with brightly coloured food in sacks

There were still police everywhere, the main square with the presidential palace was still blocked to traffic and only a few pedestrians were being allowed through, the guide on the tour had to negotiate with the police for the walking tour to be allowed in. The pigeons had no trouble getting in though ... the square (Plaza Murillo) must have the highest pigeon density in South America - they were everywhere!

I wish these pigeons would flock off

The walking tour was supposed to be around two and a half hours, but it really dragged - long walks, then a long stop, and a very long stop at another market towards the end .... we bailed after three hours, it was getting really boring by that stage!