La Paz at a distance, taken from Valle de las Animas
We didn´t have much strength when we arrived in the world´s highest captial city (12,00 feet), but we did have a contact of a Bolivian family who has ties to St. Louis. Michelle, a wonderfully kind woman from St. Louis had given us Paul´s name before she took over for Za at Scholastic. She mentioned he owns and operates a veggetarian resturaunt and has apartments for rent. We found the location of the resturaunt on our first morning, and celebrated its name, NamásTé, by having our first of many ´almuerzos´. A set lunch with four courses, this eatery knows veggetarian delights. For only 15 Bolivianos (just over $2.00), we broke our Isla del Sol fast happliy. We met Paul after filling up on lunch, and he showed us his only available apartment. After feeling the wonderful energy of NamasTé, and securing a time to teach yoga at the resturaunt, we decided to stay for two weeks. We were delighted as we unpacked our bags and settled into the spacious two bedroom apartment. As we stacked the two week´s supply of toilett paper in the bathroom, we felt satisfied and relived that we were going to stay a while.
NamásTé resturaunt is part of a four story apartment complex, built by Paul´s father sixty years ago. The family lived in St. Louis for 26 years, and one brother still lives there. Gonz, one of Paul´s brothers is a painter. His work fills NamásTé and several other spots in the city. Below is his mural on the Prado, the main street that runs through the heart of the city.
We loved walking up and down the Prado during our stay. Below are coca leaf readers telling fortunes during the Sunday artisan´s fair.
NamásTé also hosts musical concerts over the lunch hour. We learned about the insturment below, the hang, when our new friend Andrea gave a concert. This Austrian born invention sounds melodic and peaceful, and looks like a space ship or inverted steel drum. Its player, also from Austria, has one of the most beautiful voices we´ve ever heard. Later in the week, Za also played a concert over the lunch hour with her violin.
We heard La Paz is famous for guitar making, and felt inspired by Andrea´s (and her boyfriend Bruno´s) music. Josh negotiated a good price on his new travel guitar during the first few days of our stay.
Yoga classes drew four to six students three days a week, and our time was filled with music and friends. We went to see Los Fabulosos Cadillacs with our friends, and about 11,000 other excited people.
Our friend Ceciilia, whom we met in Cusco and caught up with in her home town just south of La Paz, showed us Valle de la Luna. Also a yoga teacher, we enjoyed taking her class and learning how to make home made raw chocolate at her house. The view behind her house is below, quite stunning!
Just shy of a full moon, we walked around Valley of the Moon until we couldn´t see our hand in front of our face.
We made lasting connections in La Paz, and were very sad to leave such a wonderful spot. Paul´s family opened their home, resturuant and hearts for us and for this we are so greatfull. Thanks to everyone who showed us this brilliant city.
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