la paz: where the cold bites and the budget bleeds
peeked at the weather and it’s basically a damp fridge with a side of fog, so if you enjoy breathing soup and seeing your breath turn into little angry clouds, you’re gonna love it. 5.5 degrees isn’t just a number here, it’s a personal attack. feels like 2.71 because the wind has a vendetta against anyone with uncovered skin. humidity at 100% means your clothes never dry, which is great if you like smelling like a neglected gym sock. pressure’s so low i think my eustachian tubes are staging a rebellion. but whatever, right?
la paz is vertical chaos in the best way. like someone glued a city to a cliff and forgot to tell gravity. the cable cars are real lifesavers, though. literally. they’re the only way your legs won’t fall off after climbing 800 stairs to get coffee. speaking of coffee, check out this local haunt that doesn’t charge tourist prices. someone told me their tea is cheaper than therapy, but i heard from a drunk guy in plaza murillo that the owner spikes it with coca leaves. who knows?
when the cold makes your teeth chatter too much to focus on studies, copacabana’s a bus ride away. that lake view? unreal. reminds you why you’re living on instant noodles. also, this hostel has hot showers sometimes. allegedly. a local warned me the owner’s grandma sometimes turns off the hot water to save money, so shower at your own risk.
budget tips? don’t. just don’t. every shop smells like wet wool and regret. i tried finding cheap eats at this food market, but someone said the llomo saltado gave them food poisoning. or maybe it was the altitude. hard to tell. either way, stick to the street vendors with the longest lines. if 20 locals are eating it, it probably won’t kill you. probably.
pressure’s so low my head feels like it’s full of helium. humidity at 100% means even your socks feel betrayed. but hey, at least the mountains are pretty. when the cold gets too real, remember: this hiking trail has views that make the hyperventilation worth it. just bring emergency chocolate.
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