The city has come alive with traffic and pedestrian madness. After a wild taxi ride up to the local shopping district fellow riders Andrew, Margie, Robin and I decide to explore the more vibrant part of weekend life. The Visiting of the local markets afforded us the opportunity to purchase gifts and witness the daily lives of market vendors and witness a Bolivian wedding. One of the most unusual markets is the Witches Market. The merchandise is predominately herbal and folk remedies as well as coca leaf which sell at around six dollars a pound. One can also obtain a variety of more unorthodox ingredients intended to manipulate the various malevolent and benevolent spirits of the Aymara world. As an example llama fetuses can be purchased to bury beneath a newly built house as an offering to Pachamama encouraging her to inspire good luck. If someone is ill or pestered by bothersome spooks they can purchase a plateful of colorful herbs, seeds and critter parts to remedy the problem. Also wandering the market are yatiris (witch doctors) who wear dark hats and carry coca pouches, and offer (mainly to locals) fortune telling services by reading scattered coca leaf.
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| Bolivian Wedding |
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| Market Fruit Vendor |
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| Watching life go by |
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| Market fruit vender |
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| Street Person |
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| llama fetuses |
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| Offerings |
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| Daily Market |
Amazing pictures Dad!! Miss you lots!
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Love the photos. I feel like I'm there!
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