Bobbing Along Above La Paz
The cities of La Paz and El Alto, Bolivia, are built in a deep canyon and along it's pronounced rim. This is another city that has embraced the aerial tramway to traverse this challenging geography. However, unlike Medellín, the cable lines here form the core of the network. They connect at transfer stations, can be taken in a large circle, or along spurs radiating out from the downtown.
The stations are very far apart, however. Further than a typical walk in a subway city (and there are often hills in between). The feeder systems for the aerial trams are some bus lines, and a great number of minibuses - 15 passenger vans on regular routes. Central La Paz only has one street wider than two cars widths, so the rest of the road system is usually quite congested with minibuses. Another reason to relish the peaceful flight through the air.
This system is new to La Paz, and only grew from three independent lines to the current network in the past five years. But it seems quite beloved. I saw it referred to as "our pride," it shows up in murals of the city, and it was the first thing my hotel's manager told me about when I arrived.
Here are a few scenes of city life in La Paz and El Alto. Many are from a massive street market called Feria 16 de Julio.
