Bolivia Shopping Tips by tini58de

Witches' market

The Witches' Market is in La Paz, off of Calle Sagárnaga onto Calle Linares. Here you can buy a bizarre assortment of goods including amulets, potions, delicately crafted silver jewelery, sweets, spices and dried llama fetuses.

We were quite shocked about the llama fetuses, but our tour guide gave us a good explaination: llamas are usually pregnant with twins, but only one baby llama is born - so with the afterbirth there will always be the second fetus!
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What to buy: If you're looking for luck, here's a list to help you decode the meaning of all the amulets on display: Frogs are said to bring good fortune; turtles are the symbol of long life; owls bring knowledge; snakes are a sign of progression (or moving in the right direction); koa--a dried plant made with molasses--is supposed to help your harvest; and pumas will help you achieve victory over your enemy.

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Copacabana vendors

Many vendors outside the Copacabana Cathedral sell medallions of the Virgin Mary, as the chapel holds the famous statue of Virgen de Copacabana. You can also buy flowers, garlands, candles - items to decorate those things, that you want to be blessed. We even saw decorated cars outside the church - waiting to be blessed!

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