La Paz

 

 



We left Cochabamba on Aug 23rd for a district conference in
 Uyuni, on the Alto Plano. We had a lay over in La Paz for one day. The Dyers had never been into La Paz, since it is not in our mission.  We checked into our hotel and were upgraded to a suite. Too bad we had to leave at 5 am the next morning to go to the airport. La Paz had changed since we had last been there 20 years ago. Better roads more tall buildings. I was glad to be there. We went to the Valle de la Luna  which was completely undeveloped  38 years ago. (Hat from factory in Sucre in previous post)

JR and Sue Ellen at Valle de la Luna
 

Valle de la Luna

Dick Tracey & JR with wifes at Moon Valley

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La Paz Cholita in her goin' out on the town clothes

We went to the studio of Mario Sarabia, one of Bolivia's most famous artists, pottery mainly. He was there at the studio. Dyers already had some of his work they had purchased in Sucre. President Crayck the temple president also has some of his work. We didn't leave without purchasing nor did the Dyers. 

 

In the day and still sometimes in the mountains when twins or a deformed child is born, the child or one of the twins is taken to the mountains and left as a sacrifice to Pacha Mama which is Mother Earth  The 3 figures signifies the Cholitas flying to the top of the mountain



Mario Sarabia showing us his kiln.



 

We went to the San Fransico church and then up witches alley. We all bought alpaca sweaters to prepare for the cold of Uyuni and our trip to the Salar.

Lorna climbing to the stairs to the roof of San Fransisco Built in about 1725

 

The street below is Saranaga, famous for tourists. Jack lived on this street years ago.

 

Llama fetus on Witch's alley used to bless Pacha Mama



More llama fetus
 

Dyers at the Presidential Palace
 

 



Feeding the birds
 

 We then visited the La Paz mission office (picture to come )which is on the same property as a house I lived in for six months back in the day.  The Cochabamba mission office started a big remodel a couple of days after we left, so Christy was anxious to see what the La Paz mission office looked liked in comparison. Perhaps we should not have visited! The La Paz office was built specifically for a mission office, whereas the Cochabamba office is a small "suite" in an office high rise. The La Paz office had a lot of room and nice work areas and furniture. In the Cochabamba remodel, we aren't gaining any space, just reconfiguring what we have, and more than likely keeping our laminate top, metal desks and tables. When we visited the La Paz mission office 18 years ago, I got the same reaction then and this time from the missionaries working there when I told them the years I had served. They whistled and shook their heads and by the looks on their faces we thought their next question might have been if he had ever met up with Moroni. I would like to talk with them again in 18 and then 38 years after their mission and see what they have to say!

That night we ate La Casa Argentina  a great restaurant where I had eaten many times 38 years ago. They have been in business for 105 years,although they built a new restaurant 27 years before.  We had a great time there. La Paz is a beautiful, fun city that brings back a lot of memories.