The Unique Experiences (Coroico and Copacabana)

From La Paz, Paulo took a bus down to Coroico, in the region called Los Yungas and Francisco made the downhill on bike, the very famous Camino de la Muerte, which is the way buses used to do until 5 years ago - around 10 buses used to fall down the mountain per year - but in bicycle is not dangerous at all - a slogan to promote tourism,  however, Murta enjoyed a lot because the group was nice and he kept the pace of the guide. We basically got down about 2 km in altitude from La Paz. With a completely different view, very green, the region is maintained by its fertile plantations, especially the Coca´s Leaves.

We visited the city with a purpose: working as a volunteer in a community called Eco Yoga that we got to know from a German friend. When we got in the refereed address nobody was there and with no one around, no lights on the road, surrounded by green vegetation and in the dark, we thought about leaving the idea behind, but decided to wait a little bit. After 2 hours the family who runs the house arrived.

The house is run by Hare Krishnas,  a young Colombian couple that came to Bolivia 8 months ago. While staying there we helped with organic farming plantation, cooking vegetarian food and living the live just as they do. One curiosity during this week: can you imagine Murta without eating meat for a whole week? yes, we only ate vegetarian food. Really tasty soups, Quinua, salad, lentejas burgers (we learnt how to cook them), etc.  Event though we had to take a freezing shower at 6 am or sleeping with huge spiders and others bugs (each of us was a target of around 25 mosquitos), it can´t take away all the knowledge we had the opportunity to get there, especially related to the Hinduism. The family itself couldn´t be better. A father,  a mother and their little baby captivated us and also the practice of yoga brought a immense sensation of peace.

The lovely family and the outstanding view from the house

From Coroico we went directly to Copacabana, the famous small Pueblo surrounded by the Titicaca´s lake and where we stayed for 3 nights. The first view from the lake will take your breath away. The big endless blue lake could be a scenario from any Hollywood movie.

We also met a very nice Brazilian guy,Marlos, who travelled with us for these 3 days and who became really nervous while arriving in Copacabana. Apparently, he dreamed about this place some time ago without being there. The following day he convinced Murta to wake up at 5am and climb the mountain to see the sunrise (one of his dream´s images).

We do recommend the Truchas, seafood, fished from the lake and absolutely delicious (we ate it three meals in a row for 2USD). Also, we took a boat to the famous Isla del Sol, a beautiful island which had a great meaning for the Inca Empire and where lots of interesting ruins can be seen. The trecking around the island is very nice.

During those days we learned a lot, not only about the Pre-Colombian history but also about the Hinduism, Humanity, Local Culture, the beautiness of the traditions and others and we are sure that, this knowledge that is now part of us, will contribute to our lives wherever we are from now.