FIRST TIME in South America - LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
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- čas přidán 18. 06. 2024
- We travel to South America for the first time, starting in La Paz, Bolivia, where we explore the city. As this is our first time backpacking South America, after being in La Paz for a few days we talk about safety in South America and of course the high altitude city of 3700 meters and how we struggled...
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0:00 - Intro
0:19 - Why we are nervous…
1:56 - Arriving in Bolivia
2:40 - Out of breath
3:04 - Altitude sickness hits us
3:48 - Walking the streets of LA Paz
5:39 - Cable Car in La Paz
9:06 - Emilia goes down
10:24 - Witch’s market
11:01 - THIS IS DISTURBING
11:38 - Is it safe in La Paz?
13:06 - About the Altitude sickness…
Born and raised in Oxford, Uk. Lived in La Paz for 17 years. Few tips to anyone reading this:
1 - La Paz is considered quite a safe city in general. Most of the crime happens in touristy areas (San Francisco, witches market, etc) in the city center. Usually just petty theft, but that's the epicenter of it.
2 - Talking whilst walking will zap all of the air from your lungs. If you want to talk to a camera or on the phone, it's best to stop walking first.
3 - There are many remedies for alitutue sickness, and keep in mind that getting altitude sickness or not getting it is a game of luck. It usually has nothing to do with how fit you are.
4 - Many tourist don't know this, but the city of La Paz extends south to a slightly lower altitude. This area, known as "zona sur", is a little newer and arguably better kept. From Zona Sur, you can go even further south to some of the outlying towns such as Mallasa, where you will see Valle De La Luna (Lunar Valley) and find some excellent food.
5 - If you're worried about the effects of the altitude, avoid heavy foods and alcohol. Soup, chicken, water, fruit juice should be your diet for the first few days.
6 - Coca is NOT cocaine. It is ONE of the raw ingredients for the drug. It suppresses hunger and is a mild stimulant (like caffeine). I've never liked it myself, but trying it doesn't mean that you're trying "drugs". And despite what the Hollywood movies will tell you, the "street value" of raw coca is practically nothing!
Nice video. Hope you enjoyed your trip!
To anyone watching this, against altitude sickness you can find a pill called Sorojchi-pill (sorojchi is how we called altitude sickness) and also drink coca tea 🫖, it will make the difference
Welcome to Bolivia! To deal with altitude sickness you must buy some pills at the pharmacy specific for that. Within the city of La Paz there are other attractions, such as: Valle de Las Animas, Valle de La Luna, Mirador Killi Killi. In the southern part of the city the altitude drops a little, and there are several cafes, you can go towards San Miguel.
Within Bolivia there are many other places that you can visit. If you are going to visit more cities in Bolivia. In La Paz you can go to Lake Titikaka, the Death Road, and many other attractions. Inside Bolivia: El Sajama, Toro Toro, etc. My city is very beautiful, Cochabamba (Tunari), also Sucre, in Santa Cruz (Samaipata)
local here, welcome! idk if you are still around but if you are ylu should try typica, is a cafe in some places in la paz (I personally like the satellite one), and just to clarify, that hostal where you're staying seems cozy, but the area is not the best in terms of safety, its worse than a lot of other places, in any cade, good luck
BTW, the fruit in your bowl were figs and guava. I love both!!
Love your style of filming guys!! Waiting for this South American series ✌️🔥
Aww thank you so much, we have planned a crazy set of videos for this trip to South America, so excited to share! Thanks for watching! ☺️
Wow, the city looks like a great place. Im looking forward to seeing this South American adventure 🙌🏼
Loved your video. I am from La Paz and is very interesting and funny how you see my city. Everything you said is true, rss. I am really looking forward for your next videos.
So cool! Thanks for sharing :)
So excited for the adventures to come 😊
Great content guys keep up the great content 😊
Man your videos are getting so good! High Emilia had me in stitches 😂
I did South America ages ago and when I look back I wish I allowed myself to enjoy it more. I feel like I let the fear of petty crime and danger take it all away from me by constantly looking over my shoulder. Seeing you guys being savvy enough to be wary but also enjoying it is amazing.
ahaha, I know exactly what you mean, we are starting to relax a little more now than when we first arrived. It's important to relax but I guess still stay vigilant! Thanks for watching!
Nice experience. Good luck guys!!
I received good advice when I traveled to La Paz and started on the altitude sickness pills a week before my flight there. It seemed to help with headaches, etc. but you still get out of breath. You should really enjoy the Coca tea while you're in South America. It's a lovely tea and does help with headaches. Using the fresh or dried leaves is best but the tea bags work as well. Just be careful how many cups you drink at night or it may keep you awake. Do a little research on it.
Looking forward to your other travels. I've enjoyed Bolivia, the Galapagos Islands, Chili and Peru. You have to get out of La Paz to really understand Bolivia. Peru was my favorite so far.
Fun vid guys the ariel views from the cable cars were something. Enjoy the rest of your trip in S.A.
Looks Great.
so glad you enjoyed my city and hopefully you can come back again!
Welcome to La Paz. It is a little hard to get accustomed to the altitude. The coca tea is actually like any other tea and helps a lot to get adapted. I hope you get enough time to visit Jaen Street, the Moon Valley, the death road, Tiwanaco, Copacabana and many other beautiful places in La Paz. My best wishes to you! I hope to see you in the streets of my city.
So nice La Paz just a little exagerated about the altitude❤
Peru - bolivia - chile. Cannot wait for your trip
cant wait for next video
It’s definitely an exciting one!
Couldn't wait for this video. It's great to see that you adapt as it's so high. Are you going to Machu Picchu?:)
Nice with a new video! I hope Emilia feels better now from the altitude sickness. I discovered you a few weeks ago and have been hooked on watching your videos. I am interested in going to the Philippines and was wondering which places you would recommend if you plan to stay at two different locations over two weeks and enjoy white beaches and waterfalls. Looking forward to your next video!
Looking forward to the next three months which I hope will bring back some great memories from a similar duration trip I did with my wife and son a few years ago. I’m guessing that you’re on your way to Uyuni just now - some of our best photos ever were taken there. Our other highlights included Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands which I’m sure are in your travel plans too - but if not, add them both NOW! Also, be sure to find the Aymara and Quechua ladies in La Paz - instantly recognisable in their bowler hats. Have a great time, guys.
Yes!!! We have just done Uyuni and wow what an incredible experience it was! We do have some other crazy plans and video ideas but unfortunately not Galapagos as it’s a bit too expensive for us and we have decided to not do Peru on this trip either!
Not doing Peru is a shame! Absolutely stunning, real life tomb raider environment @@Joelfriend
@@Joelfriend OK. So you’ve now got two fantastic reasons for another trip sometime soon then! For future reference, there are fantastic value last minute deals to be had on Galápagos cruises if you can be a bit flexible. We arranged ours in Quito once we got there and left for Galápagos two days later. Essentially, they sell-off any remaining cabins heavily discounted in the last few days leading up to the cruise departure date.
@@Joelfriend If you’re going to Buenos Aires, be sure to take the ferry over to Uruguay. It goes to a lovely small town called Colonia De Sacramento from where you can take a bus up to Montevideo. Colonia is where some of the good people of BA go for peace at the weekend and is home to the best pizza we’ve ever eaten at a restaurant called NAPO (18 de Julio 267, 70000 Col. del Sacramento). It’s only a small town, very easily walkable. The other top tip for a day out from BA is to take the local trains to Tigre. Lastly, you have to go to Iguazu - the falls are absolutely incredible. If it’s not on your itinerary for the current trip, get it on the next one
Exciting stuff to follow. Stay safe 🎉
Love your videos, you inspired me to travel SE Asia! Loving it so far
Love your content ❤
Aww thank you so much! ☺️
Great work guys
Thank you so much 😀 have a great day!
Nice - just enjoy it !!! Was to Quito-Ecuador some years ago and also felt the altitude for some days. Was a great experience, never really felt unsafe (of course also taking precautions, though). Keep it up , enjoy the world and the people. cheers frpm Austria, M.
Ahh that’s awesome, we head to Ecuador at some point on this trip so will be interesting to see how the altitude effects us there!
@@Joelfriend Following current media coverage I would be cautious about Ecuador as a tourist at the moment. They are having horrendous issues with drug related crime and violence. The Germany foreign office has multiple warnings on their website. Major parts of Ecuador are under curfew.
Honestly I wouldn’t have known it was filmed from the phone unless you told us. Travelling light also really helps too. I see you must’ve done lots of airdropping to edit this video.
Omg can’t believe I hadn’t subscribed all this time. 😂. The algorithm has been feeding me your videos so I end up watching them anyway.
Well done guys. Amazing video and you're doing great. Every time I get up to 3,800 metres, I get grumpy and start heading downwards, so you've beaten me. Stay safe and have fun :)
Ahaha thanks Toby! It did take some time to adjust but incredibly used to the altitude now! Amazing how your body adapts over time :)
Figs,, Guava and pumpkin seed. Awesome breakfast. Have fun in South America
Ohhh okay! Thank you! ☺️
You two are mazing! It’s hard to sit in a plane for more than 5 hours so I can’t imagine 36 hours of consecutive traveling
There was a 10 hour layover in the middle so a bit of time to stretch the legs but yeah definitely a long journey!
Start to the trip from santa cruz instead La Paz. The altitude hit me in Potosi and it took only 10 minutes. Because I got closer little by little to the high altitude cities
We used Google Translate when we talking to the locals in South America. You might want to add Peru to your bucketlist, you can see Machu Picchu, it's one of the Wonders of the World. And also Rainbow Mountains.
We also heard some places in South America that were not safe but actually we never felt that we weren't safe when we were there.
WELCOME TO BOLIVIA GUYS
Nice Bolivia .
I'm good up to about 9,000 but if I stay above that for an extended period of time, I have a hard time. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air. It took about 2 weeks to acclimate to the altitudes in Colorado. I can only imagine how much worse I would feel in La Paz.
nice content, I live in La Paz, as an uber driver I can tell you the city is one of the most peaceful in south america but El Alto is very different take care there.
I've been to manyyy cities in south America, and La Paz is by far one of the worst, most stressful, chaotic and depressing
You risk your life just crossing the street or going from south to the center because the people don't know how to drive
It's dirty and people are rude, can't even make space on the sidewalk, just looking at their phones like zombies
All about survival, not living
El Alto is 10 times worse though
Best city in Bolivia is Tarija
New follower guys great video, Bolivia is such a great country to visit: Cheaper than the neighbors (including Argentina lately) and such a raw adventure hub.
Y'all need to try toro-toro the views are amazing, and amazonia trip which is safer and cheaper than Brazil. Potosi and Sucre are beautiful colonial cities with lots of history and lastly try Tarija a valley to the south. Tarija is incredibly cheaper (even to Bolivia standards) great food, much cleaner than the rest of the country, they are the wine city of Bolivia, their vibe is completely different to the rest of Bolivia, the only issue would be that not many people speaks English.
Ahhh unfortunately, we didn't get to visit much of Bolivia, and wish we planned more time there after realising how much there is to see there. We are already kind of planning a trip back! ahah thank for the information and watching! All the best :)
Buen video, es curioso que yo soy de ahí y sin embargo siempre me siento afectado al subir gradas y hacer ejercicio x'D
Hope you enjoy or enjoyed your travels down there in case you’re already somewhere else haha :)
Ahaha we are now in a different country! We keep more updated on instagram
The best way to fight altitude in La Paz it is not Staying in the old part of La Paz but the douth so the altirude is less in zona sur and the weather is warmer. Hoyels sre not expensive and are better thsn hostals.
It's an incredibly high city. And I bet a lot of people in the city are incredibly high.
Are you guys heading to Cusco? Bit worried about when we go over that way altitude wise for the people we are going with (in laws).
Fun fact, its not that there is a lack of oxygen, there is technically more than enough. The problem is the aire pressure is lower and our lungs are adapted to best absorb oxygen at sea level, so the problem is the pressure difference between our own body and the atmosphere at those altitudes.
Oh wow that’s cool! You learn something new everyday! ☺️ thanks for sharing!
Heyyy love your videos! I was wondering how you guys pack your bags for checked luggage? Travelling to the Philippines soon and wanted to travel with a bagpack as a checked baggage but unsure 😅
Hey thanks so much! We check a bag with our clothes and toiletries, and then take our valuables in carry on! I use a 40L backpack from Osprey, From Emilia ☺️
I have a condition called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) which basically, this is how I feel all of the time. Heart racing, shortness of breath and air hunger, dizziness, fatigue, headaches and head pressure. I feel like I'm going to pass out as soon as I go up the stairs or walk a bit faster. The only way to make it better is to lie down. I developed this condition after getting Covid. I wonder what would happen to me if I went to La Paz? I would probably pass out.
Some symptoms are pre menopausal
Oh no I’m so sorry to hear that! The best thing to do would be to slowly ascend over time so that your red blood cells adapt and carry more oxygen! Hope it gets better :)
Locals recommend drinking coca tea to help you with altitude sickness. Happy travels.
Yes! Had some other friends have some cocoa tea
5:35 could be persimmon and fig.
Ohhh cool thank you!
You guys seem so normal it's crazy 😂😂
Ahaha I’ll take that as a compliment 😂😂
We just two travellers
@@Joelfriend It is. You guys have wonderful personalities and seem so balanced, so kind and so pleasant so worry free. I'll come here to watch your videos, and I'm put at ease and it all goes away for 15 or so minutes (And it feels like much shorter, which is a sign of good directing and quality content :P) As someone with borderline personality disorder, I envy you guys. If I grew up surrounded by such kind and benevolent people as yourselves then maybe things could've gone differently for me.
8:48 muro de la izquierda ahahah
Cable car view was so fast. 0,5 microseconds 😆. We didn't see anything
Looking forward to your SA series! Just be careful having your phone out in public. A fancy iPhone is a much bigger target for petty theft than a big camera.
Yeah we found it quite safe and saw others doing some in La Paz, I think in some other cities will definitely be even more cautious!
when i went to la paz i remember having nauseas but you just have to bring coca with you
Viva Bolivia ❤
Hi guys! what other countries in South America are you going?
On this trip we are doing the Atacama desert, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador, we know eve missed. Countries and places on our bucket list but we will save that for another time! :)
I hope you visit my Argentina!@@Joelfriend
Reminds me of Ghost Recon Wildlands.
Actually, coke leaves have nothing to do with cocaine. Yes, cocaine is produced with partly coke leaves, but an example: you can eat two kilograms of grapes and won‘t get drunk, even tho wine is made out of grapes, because the process is not done from grapes to wine, so there‘s no alkohol. Same with coke leaves, and it has actually a lot of benefits for blood pressure and digestion, plus it makes you feel more awake like koffee or mate.
Welcome in South America! If your travel plans include Chile, I'd recommend you visiting:
In the northern regions:
📍The Atacama Desert (San Pedro de Atacama & surroundings)🌵
📍Chañaral de Aceituno cove (hotspot for whale-watching)🐳
📍La Serena & the Elqui Valley.
In the central regions:
📍Viña del Mar
📍Santiago
📍The wine routes (Aconcagua, Colchagua, Casablanca)🍷
In the southern regions:
📍The Lakes & Volcanoes district (Villarrica, Calafquen, Panguipulli, Ranco, Llanquihue)🌋
📍Carretera Austral (Route 7)
📍Torres del Paine National Park & the Strait of Magellan area🏔
Whatever your adventure is, I hope you have a great time in this incredible corner of the world :) Saludos desde Chile!😄🇨🇱
As a Bolivian, the "99% of Bolivians have lama foetuses buried under their homes" statement made me laugh XD I don't know anybody who has done that.
What other countries are u going to visit? Definitely u should visit Perú.
Unfortunately on this trip we aren’t doing Peru but definitely on the list for some point
I am the 70th to see your video! Guys... Gimme the prize!
He’s a big high 5, and an official legend status 🫶🏼✌🏼☺️
@@Joelfriend Great OZ! (I mean CommonWealth)
Expecting Sorojchi pills there is nothing better against altitiude sickness then coca tea.
4095m is equal to borneo's highest peak. Just imagine 6000m above
Uyuni?
10:40 it's a kusillo mask (court jester). 10:50 they are called Suyus and are offerings to the Pachamama, rumor has it that many suyus are actually drunk men 😢. Best medicine for the altitud is "sorojchi pill". The person that told you not to come is probably a Peruvian 😒😒😒.
Hi, folks. Is this Hostel good?
Please go to Mexico! Mexico is the BEST!!! 😁🙌🏽
Mexico is high on our bucket list! I don’t think we will make it to Mexico on this trip though
Aquí está el comentario en español que buscabas 😄
ya'll just let all the altitude talk get to your head lol, its not that bad, I would take it into account if youre doing serious athletics, but just doing typical day to day things should not damper your day.
It affects some people, and it doesn’t affect others it’s very individual circumstances. Altitude sickness also doesn’t depend on your fitness level
La paz is the capital, but judicial capital is sucre
this is not true; La Paz is not actually a capital by the Bolivian constitution just the sit of the government, the constitutional capital is the city of Sucre
Si se alojan en un buen Hotel con ascensor (los cuales hay muchos en La Paz), no tuvieran el problema de las gradas.
Se van a hoteles o alojamientos baratos y se quejan.
It’s not that high
You all can handle it
😂 us Brit’s aren’t use to altitude
How is South America meant to be more dangerous?
Next time chew some coco leaves
We have been told now that coca leaves is the way the locals adjust to the altitude! ☺️
We have been told now that coca leaves is the way the locals adjust to the altitude! ☺️
@@Joelfriend it does not get you high unless to put the activator in it. So it helped me in Cusco when I went to Machu Pichu
Stomach gets better with coca tea
you know you can buy oxygen, right?
Lol you're more likely to get robbed in the US than La Paz, you stayed in the ugly part of town and didn't actually go to the "city center" or the South zone where you can really appreciate the mountains. Also the llama thing is only in certain places in Bolivia, and most definitely not in the 99% 😂 stop looking facts in Wikipedia.