Sopocachi, trendy neighborhood in La Paz

Today I started with the street my hostel island located: Calle Jaén. Aside from being a photographer's dream, Calle Jaén also has a cluster of four interesting museums: Casa de Murillo, Museo del Litoral, Museo de Metales Preciosos and Museo Costumbrista. Purchase tickets at the later for all four museums. Calle Jaén is also the location of many legends and ghost stories, passed down through generations of Bolivians. One of the most famous legends is the story of the "La Dama de Blanco" or the "Lady in White." According to the legend, a beautiful woman in a white dress haunts the street at night. Since I always came back the hostel before dark, I haven’t seen such thing yet.

I then walked to Mercado Camacho and the Parque Urbano Central. There were a parade for people with disabilities as well as an exhibition for people in the civil engineering industry in front of the Mercado Camacho. It is a traditional community market with fresh produce and local delicacies, a Food court,  many stalls with fresh juices and sweets. The building also houses video game rental stores, a K-Pop cafe, and a karaoke bar. Since nice it is Saturday, most of the stalls were closed. 

Central Urban Park (Parque Urbano Central) in La Paz is the largest recreational space for the city's inhabitants, spanning approximately 39 hectares. It's strategically located in the heart of La Paz, making it a vital green lung and a hub for various cultural and recreational activities.  The park is composed of 23 distinct areas, each offering unique experiences. Prominent among these are the promenades and the balcony road, offering scenic walking routes. The Adobe Dome is a notable architectural feature, and the Aerial Walk provides an elevated perspective of the park. It is quite impressive to view from the distance, but when I tried to walk around it all entrances were closed off. It has a mini amusement park for kids, tons of fields and what looks like winding walkways.

Then I walked to the Sopocachi neighborhood which is probably the trendiest neighborhood in La Paz (a more Bohemian scene), known for its student population, art scene, large buildings, trendy cafes, and of course, incredible eateries. Sopocachi is adjacent to the historical center "downtown La Paz", San Jorge and Miraflores. This part of town weaves together traditional and modern buildings and covers them in colorful murals in true La Paz style. The artsy neighborhood was once the home of the famous Bolivian painter Walter Solon Romero. The laid-back vibes, live music and street performers combined with an abundance of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops, make it a popular destination for locals to go for a nigh' on the town.

On my way there, I heard music from a school and stepped in for the traditional dance competition. I also photoed with a fully dressed up student. 

I visited Sopocachi during the day for the excellent views available from the top of the Parque Mirador El Montículo. I saw a live wedding and two couples photos shots. In addition, I booked fine dining at Manq‘s restaurant to take advantage of their lunch specials. After lunch, I walked around the nearby Plaza Abaroa, and then stopped by Mercado Camacho again to pick a Custard apple （aka Sugar apple or Sweetsop, 釋迦), before heading back to my hostel.  Since La Paz is hilly, walking around just like hiking.