Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
eign theatrical presentations. It's a great old restored building with a round auditorium,
elaborate balconies and a vast ceiling mural.
Spectator Sports
The popularity of
fútbol
(soccer) in Bolivia is comparable to that in other Latin American
countries. Matches are played at Estadio Hernando Siles (Estadio Olímpico La Paz, Mira-
flores). Sundays (year-round) are the big game days, and Wednesdays and Saturdays also
have games. Prices vary (B$20 to B$100) according to seats and whether it's a local or in-
ternational game. You can imagine what sort of advantage the local teams have over mere
lowlanders; players from elsewhere consider the high-altitude La Paz games a suicide at-
tempt!
Shopping
La Paz is a shopper's paradise; not only are prices very reasonable, but the quality of
what's offered can be astounding. The main tourist shopping area lies along the very steep
and literally breathtaking Calle Sagárnaga between Santa Cruz and Tamayo, and spreads
out along adjoining streets. Here, you'll also find Calle Linares, an alley chock-a-block
with artisans' stores. Some stores specialize in
oriente
woodcarvings and ceramics, and
Potosí silver. Others deal in rugs, wall-hangings, woven belts and pouches. Amid the
lovely weavings and other items of exquisite craftsmanship, you'll find plenty of tourist
kitsch, an art form unto itself: Inca-themed ashtrays, fake Tiwanaku figurines, costume
jewelry and mass-produced woolens. Music recordings are available in small stores along
Valle Evaristo and more established places on Linares. Or you can try your luck in the
Mercado de Hechicería where there are figurines and Aymará good-luck charms, includ-
ing frogs.
For less expensive llama or alpaca sweaters, bowler hats and other non-tourist clothing
items, stroll Calles Graneros and Max Paredes. Reflecting its status as the more upmarket
area, Zona Sur opts for designer clothing; several stores sell stunning llama and alpaca
fashion items. The Montenegro area is especially good for shopping.
Many La Paz artisans specialize in traditional woodwind instruments such as
quenas
,
zampoñas
,
tarkas
and
pinquillos
. Several shops sell instruments along Sagárnaga, Linares
and Illampu. Be aware, though, that there's a lot of low-quality or merely decorative tour-
ist rubbish around.
For the few photographers who use slide and/or print films nowadays, these are avail-
able in some camera shops; be cautious about buying film at street markets where it is ex-
