On this third day, still not fully acclimated to the altitude, I took a calculated risk to venture further beyond the city center and staid tourist rout. First on the agenda was a moderate distance walk to city’s cemetery. It’s something to behold as it is perched high in the center of the bowl-shape La Paz. The view from the cemetery is absolutely stunning. Apart from some mausoleums, the cemetery consists mainly of niches stacked vertically above ground where cremated ashes are placed with a plaque behind a glass door. However, bodies are first interned for 10 years, then exhumed and cremated and then placed in the niche. The strangest part was seeing eviction notices place in front of the glass niches – presumably on rent that is pass due.
Upon returning from this morning outing, I booked the bike ride down the Yungas Road (Road of Death) for tomorrow – yes I did it. After lunch, a group of us gathered and head towards Valle de la Luna at my suggestion. The short 10 km drive itself offered a spectacular view of the vicinity. The vast majority of abodes and buildings are built on top of sloping clay and sandstone. Had the Chilean quake struck here, all would certainly be lost.
Valle de la Luna itself is a surreal landscape, strange juxtaposition of colors and odd formations. Formed after perhaps millions of years, the erosion of clay and sandstones resulted in wild formations in the outskirts of La Paz. This place is truly something to behold.
Afterwards a couple English blokes and I went for late afternoon coffee and conversations into travel and politics. Some how, despite the intermittent rain, the day pass beautifully into the evening. My head still hurts, but my heart is racing in anticipation of tomorrow’s downhill adventure.