Dear Diary 1.0 (a couple of days in La Paz)

We are in La Paz to see Hester off. While we have been here a few times before we have not spent any real time in the city. Time to explore a bit.


In the morning we sourced a sound hostel followed by some average food and coffee then hit the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Plaza which was OK. The gallery had changed little over the last four months but I still enjoyed revisiting the work of Mario Conde. Great palette, tight use of water colour and unique juxtaposition of Bolivian, religious and communist motifs. I will try to buy a piece of his before I leave this country.


Later in the day we had more coffee and checked out the very excellent Museo Nacional de Arte. A mix of contemporary and religious national works. The contemporary work had pedigree which was refreshing. I especially liked the mixed-media piece (La Mina) by Walter Solón Romero. La Mina had great composition and stylised line work (though actually a wood cut). Later we consumed a bunch of stuff from the art shop and headed home.

On the way home we, grabbed a pomelo juice, waved at a baby and encountered the teachers protest which was very peaceful. They are getting a hefty five percent increase to their wage. The problem is that their wage is slim and it only equates to about 30 bolivianos extra per month. It also made me realise that the front page of La Razon was of Miss Santa Cruz. Boobs and smiles are popular here, too.

Anyway. It was a really nice day getting to La Paz and looking at art. Oil, water and acrylic, I love it all. And it recalled the enjoyment had the other day at Palacio de los Portales.