We left Copacabana on December 31st in hopes of finding a residence in La Paz with enough time to rest up and prepare for what we were hoping would be a giant blowout South American New Years Eve. Even with the high expectations we had placed on La Paz, the party and the people easily exceeded all of our wildest hopes.
We had run in to a great couple from Australia on a few occassions on our more recent adventures and we decided to meet up with them to share in the revelry. Johnny and Sue were up for it so we met them for dinner and drinks in the heart of the city in a buzzing little restaurant. With our bellies full and our curiosities piqued, we headed up the hill towards our hostel to share a bottle of wine and some good conversation. With this preparation, we made our way to the nearby party at the biggest backpacker hostel in town. We couldn´t believe our eyes when we pushed our way in as the entire upper floor was a giant bar and dancehall! This was very promising.
Everyone was a in a great mood - no doubt with a little help from the well priced libations, fantastic atmosphere and upbeat dj - and it wasn´t long before we were engaged in conversation with all of our nearby neighbours. There were a lot of traveling Brasilians in the crowd and we ended up chatting up a storm in english, french, spanish and portuguese as the situation and our abilities allowed. After counting down midnight and some great singing and dancing, the bar started closing up around 1:30am. What to do with the night so young?
Fortunately, the answer was nearby with girls handing out flyers for the after hours party at a club called Blue Casa. We hightailed it over there and lined up with a big crew from the hostel bar. When Ben found out the cover charge was 50 Bolivianos (only like $7, but outrageous for Bolivia) he managed to get the crowd organized and started a 20! 20! 20! chant. Despite the enthusiasm of the crowd, the bar managers would have none of it and we gladly paid the 50. The atmosphere inside was more than worth it. Great music, dancing, lots of delicious drinks and the party just wouldn´t quit. Finally tuckered out, we made our way home and crawled into bed sometime around 6:30am. Gracias LA PAZ!!!
Nothing better than waking up in a nice hotel room after New Years, to find a stocked pantry of drinks and snacks (we had prepared the night before) and a TV with tons of movie channels! We managed to recover well, all except for Patricia´s voice which was soon lost to us for the better part of 4 days! I had no idea dancing could do that! Brasilian hips must be connected to the vocal chords.
La Paz itself is a very cool city. It has this rundown colonial vibe to it, mixed with a strong traditional core as witnessed by the dress of the local women and the smells of the typical food. The centre has been very fun to explore and Patricia found lots of shopping options and great bargains. Other than the centre, we made our way to an urban park which turned out to be more of a fairgrounds for views of the city. It is a city that leaves your jaw slightly askew when you get your first glimpse coming in the frome high planes above as the buildings seem to cling to sheer cliffs on all sides and the rugged mountains are a stark relief to the manmade maze below.
We had run in to a great couple from Australia on a few occassions on our more recent adventures and we decided to meet up with them to share in the revelry. Johnny and Sue were up for it so we met them for dinner and drinks in the heart of the city in a buzzing little restaurant. With our bellies full and our curiosities piqued, we headed up the hill towards our hostel to share a bottle of wine and some good conversation. With this preparation, we made our way to the nearby party at the biggest backpacker hostel in town. We couldn´t believe our eyes when we pushed our way in as the entire upper floor was a giant bar and dancehall! This was very promising.
Everyone was a in a great mood - no doubt with a little help from the well priced libations, fantastic atmosphere and upbeat dj - and it wasn´t long before we were engaged in conversation with all of our nearby neighbours. There were a lot of traveling Brasilians in the crowd and we ended up chatting up a storm in english, french, spanish and portuguese as the situation and our abilities allowed. After counting down midnight and some great singing and dancing, the bar started closing up around 1:30am. What to do with the night so young?
Fortunately, the answer was nearby with girls handing out flyers for the after hours party at a club called Blue Casa. We hightailed it over there and lined up with a big crew from the hostel bar. When Ben found out the cover charge was 50 Bolivianos (only like $7, but outrageous for Bolivia) he managed to get the crowd organized and started a 20! 20! 20! chant. Despite the enthusiasm of the crowd, the bar managers would have none of it and we gladly paid the 50. The atmosphere inside was more than worth it. Great music, dancing, lots of delicious drinks and the party just wouldn´t quit. Finally tuckered out, we made our way home and crawled into bed sometime around 6:30am. Gracias LA PAZ!!!
La Paz itself is a very cool city. It has this rundown colonial vibe to it, mixed with a strong traditional core as witnessed by the dress of the local women and the smells of the typical food. The centre has been very fun to explore and Patricia found lots of shopping options and great bargains. Other than the centre, we made our way to an urban park which turned out to be more of a fairgrounds for views of the city. It is a city that leaves your jaw slightly askew when you get your first glimpse coming in the frome high planes above as the buildings seem to cling to sheer cliffs on all sides and the rugged mountains are a stark relief to the manmade maze below.
What a way to welcome in the New Year. Wishing you great health, a peaceful heart and lots of joy and wonder in 2012. Love, M.
ReplyDeleteMy little girl did not change at all: partying until 6:30am!!!
ReplyDelete