LA PAZ WITCH'S MARKET | dehydrated llama fetus

Today is technically our fourth day that we've been in La Paz, but we haven't seen, like anything.

So the first day we were here, the city's at like 12,000ft. And Kara got altitude sickness, so she laid in bed a little bit. Then we did like this whole culinary experience, but we didn't see any of the town.

We just ate.

And then yesterday we got back from the salt flats and Kara had a stomach bug, so we took it easy.

Me and La Paz really haven't gotten along, but today is the day.

La Paz is like this super fascinating looking city. We only have two more full days here, and we want to make the most of our time. So we have booked a walking tour today.

So we are heading to the meeting spot now. But first we're going to get lunch.

So we've been walking around looking for a lunch spot, being really indecisive. And then it started raining super hard. And we just came in the first place that we could find. And I think it's a really good spot. We got empanadas. Oh, yeah, they have a different name, so it's not an empanada. It says, where is it? Saltinha. That's what they call it. And I think it's with meat. Carne. We're not really sure. We just started ordering things.

We also got this version of unita. It's pasta something. Gracias. So Nate read that you're supposed to bite the top of this off and suck all the liquid out before you start eating it so it doesn't make a big mess. Sounds super weird, but I'm gonna try.

O.

Juicy.

It's so delicious. I feel like people are staring at me.

Not looking promising for our walking tour.

So I probably should have checked the weather before I booked the walking tour this afternoon. It looks like there's a 70% chance of rain for the rest of the day. We just finished eating. Thankfully it's not raining too hard now. So we're heading to the meeting spot and hoping for good weather the rest of the day. So another reason that we were excited about getting out today and the reason we wore our rain jackets is because this weekend is carnival, which is like one of the biggest festivals in South America. In addition to lots of drinking and dancing in the streets, we also heard that they have water guns and foam spray. So we came prepared. So if you see that in the video, you'll know why it's happening.

Probably you've seen Coca Cola everywhere in the world. Inside this prison is not exception Because Coca Cola has done a deal with inmates to be the only soft drink to be sold inside this prison. You're looking for the ground. Sorry. Coca Cola only.

So the walking tour is just starting. This big white building that you see behind me is a prison. The one that there are no guards inside, only guards around the outside. And they basically have their own little community. You have to rent your jail cell. They have jobs inside the prison, and it's where you can get the purest cocaine in the world. So off to an interesting start.

And now we're going to a market.

Our guide also told us that if we video the ladies at the market without asking permission, that they would throw rotten food at us. So I have to be careful.

Sam.

It feels like we've been walking forever, and it's still going. I still can't see the end of this line.

Did you like it?

Yeah, very cool. It's nice.

You know, here, local people love it. This is the reason why we don't have so many supermarkets in the center of La Paz city. It's because local people prefer to come to the kind of markets because here they'll find better prices, fresher products, and a bigger variety of products. I need two volunteers. It's better if it's a couple. Dad. Angelina. It's beautiful.

I'm sure she works out every day. Yeah. So for sure, you want to go. You want to meet her, right? But it's not like you're going to go like, hey, Chamida, how you doing? Now, come on. This is what you're gonna do. You have to grab some ropes. Grab some ropes. Small ones, please. Yeah. Great. Now you start throwing some ropes. Show her you want her. That's it. What do you think? Is he handsome now?

Yes.

So you're gonna turn kind of flirtations with him. So you grab your braids. Grab your braids. Moving your hips like this. You're gonna go checking him out. And once you have eye contact, you're gonna go like.

Because you are shy, you have to touch his hair. Is it thick enough? Because cholitas are always looking for men with thick hair. That means as a strong man, that's what I want. So it looks like this is the perfect man for you. Yes. Do you agree? Awesome. So you're going to turn around a bit. Yes. Perfect. And you're going to grab your skirt, your puffy skirt and.

Cuffs for you. And that's how you're gonna get this man completely in love with you. And we have a new American couple.

Thank you. Very much. Cameraman.

We got to be the volunteers on how the Bolivian people become partners. It was very fun. And now we're going to the witch's market, where I think there's little baby llamas.

He also told us a lot about this market. This is without a doubt one of my favorite markets that I've ever walked through. The women here, I don't know if, like, beautiful is the right word to describe it, but extremely intriguing. Not like I'm attracted to them, but it's just like, my favorite market ever.

It's also crazy that, like, there's produce and then there's pig intestines, and then there's underwear, and then there's forks and knives. It's just all everything you ever need in one spot. There's baby Walmart fetuses hanging everywhere. Hope you guys.

Now we are in the winter's market. Probably the most important ritual and the most popular one as well, is the one that you have to do when you want to build your house. But you have to celebrate this ritual because we believe in Pachamama. And if we don't do this ritual to ask for permission to Pachamama to use this piece of land, she's not gonna be happy with us. We may have an accident while we're working. That's something that nobody wants, right? First thing, I have to hire a latiri. What's a latiri? A latiri is like a witch doctor. Yes. This man is gonna come to this market to buy all these amulets, colorful cottons, candies, herbs, and of course, the main thing that he has to buy is this. The dehydrated llama fetus.

Learned a lot of stuff about llamas and rituals. Not sure that I believe half of it, but it was very interesting.

Now, guys, we're ready to move to the next step that is.

I hope we survive all this.

Our tour guide just talked about this church for a long time. Honestly, didn't hear a word he said because carnival is in full force in this courtyard. I was just trying not to get sprayed. It's crazy.

Our group is getting so sprayed. So we're going around the back. Oh, you finished?

We took the back way.

We just got to the Lanza market. It's the super local place to eat. There's all kinds of food vendors around here.

If you want to eat or drink something, this is the place. Here in Bolivia, we love to eat all the time. If you want to try some sandwiches, I would recommend you to try the Avocado sandwich. Here's where you find the creamiest avocado in South America. Yep, you could go for it over there.

This is literally the biggest avocado I've ever seen. Like, it's bigger than my hand.

So it's an avocado sandwich with onions, tomato, queso cheese, and coca leaves. It looks delicious.

Sounds healthy.

And I'm pretty sure it's only five bolivianos, which is less than a dollar.

Cinco. Yeah.

It's delicious. We have lunch right before the tour, but I couldn't pass it up.

Right now, we are in the very center of Bolivia.

Just finished our walking tour. We sat at a local bar and talked about the president and had a local drink.

This was, like, by far one of my personal favorite walking tours. But it's also because La Paz is quickly turning into one of my favorite cities.

Our guide Max was really good.

If you come to La Paz, definitely do the red cap walking tour. We'll link it below.

And now we're walking back.

Probably gonna see some more carnival festival festivities along the way.

Try not to get sprayed with foam. Try not to get blown up by firecrackers. Tomorrow we're planning to, like, fully embrace the festivities. Buy ponchos, buy foam. It's gonna be a lot of fun.

Not ready for it today, though. I need some time to prepare.

I love the lots.

Kelly's gonna be at Chilika for today. And please look to your audience.

Okay, let's pretend this is a boulder hat. Okay? And it goes like this.

Yeah.

The cholita wears the boulder hat like this. Straight.

Sorry.

Single. Cuz this means that this cholita is married. She will not show her cuffs anymore. But how about if this leans on one side or the other side? In this case, be glass. Because this means that this cholita is single widow. Ready to mingle. And in this case, this means that this cholita is in a complicated. Yes. Thank you so much. Thank you so much.