Only a matter of time before someone got hit by a taxi in La Paz 6/16/11

We took our time this morning getting up and making our way out of the Maya Inn Hostal. We didn’t sleep very well because people staying there were coming in at all hours in the time. We also slept in our sleeping bags because the bed and sheets were highly questionable. We got our DVD from Gravity when the guides were recording us going down the mountain. Stopping in a touring agency to see how much a two day trip was to Titicaca since we didn’t have enough time for the Salt Flats. They wanted $250/person! They are freaking nuts. We then stopped at the tourist information to find out when buses were leaving for Copacabana- hoping that there wasn’t only one at 8am each day like Lonely Planet said. Nope! Outside the cemetery it leaves every 30 min and only costs $2! Sweet! We now had a plan.

We walked back to grab out bags through the Witches Market. They have baby Llamas that are dehydrated from every stage on infancy. Not sure what that’s about, a bit disturbing.

We stopped for lunch at the same damn place that forgot to serve us our burgers the night before- only because we couldn’t find anything else to eat. The news was on about Copabamba where there were riots because of a new law that passed saying you couldn’t get a registration for your car if it was older than 7 years old. For a moment I thought it said Copacabana (where we intended to go), but it was to the east. Earlier this morning we walked by a demonstration where the police had on riot gear, blockades, and tear gas. We moved away when we heard chanting. Lots of demonstrations going on in the places we’ve been to. The Bolivia-Peru border has been shut down for some time because they are protesting a new silver mine that would pollute Lake Titicaca. Good thing we bought our flights for $125 vs the $400 they are going for now.

We grabbed our bags and headed for the cemetery to catch one of the many buses that leave for Copacabana. We didn’t think it was too far of a walk and we just ate so we decided not to catch a cab. Not only is it a huge hill, but we veered off the path which made the walk a bit harder. Good thing we were acclimated to this altitude. I was tired of having my fingers and feet tingle from the altitude sickness meds.

We finally found the cemetery and walked around the block a bit to find the bus. We paid and waited outside for the bus to leave instead of sitting inside the hot bus. While waiting, we heard a huge thud and then Andy and I saw a girl, maybe 9 years old, laying half on the side walk half on the street face down two feet in front of Andy. A taxi van knocked hit her when she was almost across the street. I immediately turned away because I didn’t want to see but then I turned right around to help her. She bounced right up, crying and walking around. I tried to get her to sit down but she wouldn’t since she was freaking out. The bus ticket guy was yelling at the taxi driver and he didn’t care. After the people got out he took off! The little girl finally found her mom and walked off only holding her him. She might not have a broken bone but she’s going to be sore tomorrow.

On the way to Copacabana we came to a stop by the water. We thought we were making a quick stop to let people off since it was the end of the road, but no, we were going to cross the water. This usually isn’t a big deal since there’s usually a bridge, but there wasn’t one. The bus drove on a freakin wooden float to cross the water with shoddy piece of wood for the bus to park on. It was pretty scary since the bus was rocking back and forth in the wind and we couldn’t open the window in case we went over into the water.

We made it to Copacabana when it was dark. It’s a small town and we just got a room (for $10) and went out for some dinner. I wasn’t up for fried food so we went to a tourist restaurant where a dude was playing the guitar. We had a four course meal and a crappy bottle of wine for only $20! Love it! Off to bed, there’s no way I’m chancing a freezing cold shower. Almost asleep we hear several loud bangs; we kept telling ourselves it’s just fireworks. Then we hear people chanting, it’s just fireworks…