Since Copacabana is not to far from another popular destination, Sorata, when Ruben and his family headed back to La Paz, we decided to part ways and head there for a couple days. On the way there we picked up a couple of really nice French girls who were waiting for the bus to Sorata, and give them a ride.
In Sorata we stayed a bit out of town at a nice hostel called Altai Oasis (250 Bolivianos/night with breakfast) that was surrounded by nature. There was even a gorgeous parrot couple living in the tree in front of the restaurant, and a jungly camping area full of birds down by the river. It was comfy enough and far enough from town that we ended up only visiting town once to pick up some food for the one day the restaurant was closed. We found this really cool bakery in the courtyard of a beautiful old colonial building.
For most of the time we just relaxed and read, but we spent a few hours walking farther into the canyon to a huge cave managed by the local town as a tourist destination. The tourists visiting the cave we both backpacker types and the local Aymara families so it was a nice mix.
For New Year's Eve we had planned to walk into town to join in the festivities, but then the huge hill we'd have to climb in the dark and the rain dissuaded us and we holed up in our room and watched the fireworks from there.
On the way back to La Paz from Sorata we gave a ride to a nice Bolivian couple who had stayed in our hostel. They told us a lot about Bolivia, the politics and the culture, and made our drive much more fun.
The amazing view on the way to Sorata. There are little agricultural communities perched all over the hills.
The crazily loaded truck in front of us on the road.
The awesome bakery we found in Sorata. There was at least 10 people working there, even though it was such a small, simple operation. This guy let me take a picture of him.
Walking along the canyon, we were surrounded by beautiful views.
A view of Sorata from the road we were walking on. Notice the memorial crosses on the left. At the bottom of the hill we could see the car that had gone off right here. A crazy road in some spots.
Notice the ginormous bat.
Copacabana
