A complete tourism guide throughout Bolivia, a often overlooked diamond in the rough

Good day fellow Steemians! I have both lived in Bolivia, and traveled there as a tourist, so take it from someone with experience on both side to show you why you NEED to travel to the heart of South America.

As I wrote this it became very long, so I decided to break it into a 5 part series. I hope you enjoy part 1 and follow me to read parts 2-5 in the coming days.
Part 1 - La Paz
Part 2 - Santa Cruz
Part 3 - Cochabamba
Part 4 - Tarija
Part 5 - Potosi
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Credibility

Let me take you back a few years to magical time in my life. . .

From 2013-2015 I served the Bolivia people on a LDS (Mormon) service mission. It was a humbling experience living as they live, yet it was joyous because of the changes I was able to see in the people as I served them.

Fast forward to 2017. . .

Studying in the university is taxing, and I felt a longing to return back to Bolivia to visit the people whom I dearly loved -- but this time I wanted to experience the best tourism this country has to offer.

Now let the tourism guide begin. Part 1 -- La Paz

Why La Paz?

The city has been called one of the seven wonder cities of the world. One of the reasons for that is that La Paz sits at 12,000 ft. (3,600m.) elevation in the Andes mountains. The city is built on the side of a mountain and offers a millennium worth of history. The terrain is so rough that public transportation is done by a series of gondola to get from lower to higher ground.

The blue line gondola before in El Alto

A city in the Andes

The red line descending from El Alto into downtown La Paz

The city is also home to a perfect mix of historic buildings and new restaurants as well. In the past century La Paz has become the "acting capitol" where the President resides and does his work, while the city of Sucre is the official capitol of the country. Next time you see a world map, pay attention to whether is says the capitol is Sucre, or La Paz. It's about 50/50 in my observations.

Current President Evo Morales had the clock reversed, to throw a new twist on this historic government building

Food

Something important to me when it comes to traveling is the food each new destination has to offer. Bolivia, and especially La Paz, doesn't disappoint.

This choripan blew my mind. I will never waste my time with a normal hot dog or bratwurst again. Did I mention it cost $0.40 USD?

Saltenas and cunapes are typical Bolivian baked goods that are way better than any empanada offered in other South American countries.

Poor lighting and cell phone photo quality, but none the less, this Salchipapa was amazing, with platano on the side and jugo de maracuya to wash it down, it hit the spot.

Ruins

Tiwanaku is a site 40 minutes outside of La Paz that used to be right on the waters edge of Lake Titicaca. Sense then, the lake has receded back about 20 miles. One of the best sites to see these types of ruins in South America. Scientists estimate that only about 10% of the pueblo ruins have been uncovered as well, making them believe this to be the location of one of the regions largest dwelling sites.

La Puerta del Sol, our tour guide told us a ton about what all the symbols mean, but I don't remember!

The face of each King/Major leaders is carved in this area

Some of them have hardly weathered

La Paz means, "Peace" in English. Quite a fitting name for city built in the clouds.

Again, feel free to follow me as I write about my next adventures and must see spots in Bolivia later on this week! What is to come:
Part 2 - Santa Cruz
Part 3 - Cochabamba
Part 4 - Tarija
Part 5 - Potosi

Tata for now Steemians!