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Bustling, busy and bright is the Bolivian market. As you
enter, the sounds of the Andean Pan pipes are sure
to be coming from somewhere, the smells and sights will fill
your senses and instil in you a passion to browse , bargain
or just wander around watching, absorbing the atmosphere.
The eye-catching electric colours of the Bolivian weaves
are wrapped around the womens' backs , used either as shawls
or as carriers for goods or even small children! The food
stalls present a kaleidoscope of colours, ranging from the
tiny bright red chillis to an almost black-green coat
of the glossy, oversized avocados. |
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Ian Wright shopping for shawls in Tarabuco
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Along the way you will stumble across the ubiquitous bowler-hatted
Bolivian woman sitting cross legged on a rug behind a overflowing
pile of coca leaves. If you look closely you will notice
her own supply of leaves stuffed up under her hat ready to
be extracted and chewed when the present batch is finished.
The coca leaf pile serves as a gossip exchange point during
the day as all the locals come to refill their own supply
or to brew a bit of coca tea!
Bolivian handicrafts are plentiful and cheap to buy in the
markets. You will always find piles of beautifully hand painted
ceramic goods with the familiar figure of the llama
in the centre of most of the designs. Although when you are
travelling and see so many of the same thing, you may lose
sight of the originality of these goods but it is worth remembering
that when you are no longer from Bolivia and your purchases
are in completely different surroundings, their originality
and charm will seem to be renewed!
Bolivian markets also specialise in alpaca (wooly llama
creatures) goods which are very useful - due to their immense
warmth, especially when visiting the salt lakes in
winter. There are also products made from baby alpaca, favoured
for their luxurious softness, which is often compared in feel
to cashmere. These are well worth buying as their value for
money is immense.
Witches' Market, La Paz
Alongside the Sagamaga market in La Paz you will come
across the witches' market; it exists as evidence of the strong
belief in tradition and mythology to be found in Bolivia.
What is first seen as merely an accumulation of indistinguishable
clutter is, on further exploration and attention, perceived
to be a fascinating collection of remedies, good luck charms,
trinkets, spells, potions and stuffed animals.
You can come here with any problem - an ailment, or simply
a hope for better fortune, wisdom, good luck or protection
- and with the right guidance you can walk away contentedly,
patting a solution in your pocket, whether it be a ceramic
charm to watch over you or even a llama foetus to bring good
fortune to a new building!
Tarabuco Market Town
The market town of Tarabuco is famous for its hand-made clothes
and weavings. The market takes place only on Sundays
and is very popular with tourists. It is interesting, as the
locals wear their traditional dress and the garments for sale
illustrate the huge variety of the styles that range across
the different provinces of Bolivia. |
