The best place to get a feel for daily life in La Paz is to walk her chaotic, often serpentine streets and see it all for yourself. As the sun rises, the streets are relatively quiet save for the growing hum of the cars, vans and buses that transport people around. By nine o’clock, the streets begin to come alive as the street vendors open up the doors of their little green stalls, bringing a burst of riotous color to the scene. Children in uniforms walk to school while men and women move swiftly to get to work. Others pass their time lounging on the stoops of a building or on a bench in the park.
I found the best way to get a taste of daily life in La Paz was to capture as many different aspects of it as possible on film. I have already posted my street photography photos on street art, women, markets and vendors. Now it is time to take a look at how people express themselves in their daily lives.
Singing on the streets to earn a dime.
Eating breakfast outdoors before opening her stall for the day.
Relaxing in front of God’s house.
Begging for money outside a church.
Selling cold juice drinks along the street.
Taking a break from work to get a shoe shine.
Gossipping with friends on a park bench.
Walking the colorful streets of La Paz
Catching the bus in the crazy traffic of central La Paz.
Waiting in the queue to catch a ride in a mini bus.
Trying to cross the narrow streets without getting run over by a bus.
Admiring one of La Paz’ colorful, over-crowded buses.
Passing time chatting with friends.
Simply taking a break.
Having lunch at one of the many small cafes.
Enjoying the burst of unexpected color at any moment.
As you can see, there are so many ways to express yourself in life. Through music, art, friendship, love, work, color and passion. For me, I express myself through my photography and writing. I share what I see through my third eye. What do you enjoy expressing about yourself?
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Express Yourself. To view more entries click here.
Beautiful pics, so colorful!
Thanks so much!
You have really captured this place with your photographs…
Thank you! That means I did my job then! 🙂
You certainly did!
As people express themselves through music, art, friendship, love, work, color and passion, we can understand their culture a little better. Beautiful post, Nicole. Thank you for touring us there.
Thanks Amy!!!! I am glad you enjoyed!
More charming and colorful photos, Nicole.
janet
Thanks Janet! I hope people aren’t tiring of my La Paz shots yet. Still a few more to go! 🙂
simply spectacular pictures that tell their own story !!
Thanks Rob and Diane! Glad you enjoyed the photos!
Another fantastic post. I love the mood in La Paz. Thanks so much for sharing Nicole !
Thanks so much! Hope you are doing well! Love your gravater!
Thank you Nicole! Hides wrinkles 🙂
Hmmm…maybe I should try that one?!
Its a cool app !
What is the app called? I love it!
Its called PhotoTropedelic! Get ready to wear Warhol ! 🙂
Just purchased it! Let’s see what fun I can have now!
You paid for it? I swear I thought it was free but Ive had it for years. Cant wait to see what you do with it!
Nice!
Thanks!
You are welcome!
Thanks for sharing your vibrant and colorful photos, Nicole, full of life. A different life from mine so good to travel along with you as I probably won’t make it there in person.
So glad you enjoyed Ruth! 🙂
This collection is absolutely gorgeous – everyday life so well and joyfully portrayed
Thank you so much! I am really glad you enjoyed the photos!
Gosh, you are the coolest bloody mum in the world, surely??
Ha Ha! Love it!
Engaging street photography…
Thanks Sally!
Nicole your photos transport me right there with you. Love the colors and the inclusion of people in their daily lives.
And you will get to enjoy the colors of South America again soon!
Loved your pictorial!
Thank you!!
It is very colourful, but I suspect life may not be all that rosy for many people.
Yes indred true Debra. Life is hard work for
most people in La Paz. Their government is pretty much a dictatorship and they are the poorest country in South America. It was interesting thiugh when I spoke about this with my Bolivian guide. He is about 52 and has worked hard abd is successful. He was very angry with my comment from the alonely Planet saying Bolivia is kne of the poorert countries in the western continent because although it may be true people like the farmers did have enough to eat. Bolivia was nothing like India and Africa in my eyes. I guess the message I hope to get across in my photos is the beauty of a place despite harships. One thing I have learned by traveling to poorer countries is how people can be at peace with so much less. It is such a huge lesson for us here in the US where so many people always want more. The latest TV or car yet they never are happy.
Beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you!
I love your colourful gallery of candid photos, Nicole. Your street photography is fabulous. (I may have said this before, but it bears repeating.) 🙂
Oh thank you so much Sylvia! 🙂
Fabulous photography Nicole. 🙂
Thank you LuAnn!
Colors are simply amazing in these Nicole – I’d say you have indeed done your job! You’ve brought La Paz to us in all of its glory!!
Love your wonderfully atmospheric photos Nicole. “Passing time chatting with friends” is my favourite 🙂
Thanks Madhu! Glad you enjoyed! 🙂 I liked that photo too! 🙂 Lots of color!
Ah, this post makes me wish I had taken more photos in Bolivia! Yours bring back so many memories for me, so thank you 🙂
So glad Emily that you have enjoyed the pictures! I traveled so much in my 20s and 30s but didn’t have a digital camera then! I wish so bad I did and hope to someday go back and take all those photos I never got! Just think how many I’d have by now!!
Been following your blog and I really enjoy it. Thanks for all the beautiful photos. Have never been to South America but someday I will visit it.
Thanks so much for the comment! I’m really glad you enjoy my blog and the posts. Where do you live? Yes, South America is quite lovely! A must see!
I live in Dallas, Texas but from the Philippines originally. I flew for Delta Airlines for a while and travelled quite a bit but I never did go to South America.
Wow, that must have been something flying for Delta!
Yes it was great! But I wish blogging was already popular back then. I often look back at all the experiences I’ve had and places I’ve seen and wish I could’ve blogged them. Oh well, I can always start fresh 😄
How was the altitude? Just finished a post 12,500 feet up on Lake Titicaca wrapped in wet coca leaves!
It was very high. You land at over 13,000 feet and I hiked up to 18,000 feet a few days later!
Rather you than me…!
Oh thanks so much Tina! Appreciate your kind words!
Thanks so much Tina! I appreciate it!
wow kewl picZ 😎
Thanks!
Excellent post. You could do one just on the variety of hats people are wearing! I love Isabel’s little store and the colorful buses! Those were common in Guatemala but I have never seen one in Mexico.
Yes indeed! 🙂 Thanks Marilyn for the great comment!