Day 182: Marching Powder

Uyuni – La Paz, Bolivia

Survived the insanely long bus ride back to La Paz. I also changed to a cheaper hostel. Check this out, $2.75 per night. No shit But there’s no hot shower.

I was too tired to do much for the rest of the day. I did walk to the infamous San Pedro’s Prison. An Australian wrote a book called “Marching Powder,” in which he talked about the mini city inside the prison. The guards do not ever go inside the penitentiary. The inmates manage themselves and there’s a whole economic system in there. Inmates can buy jacuzzi if they fancy and their families can live with them. Apparently, the major cocaine production in Bolivia is generated in here as well.

Years ago, a British inmate gave tourists tours of the prison. Such service is no longer available. But one supposedly can bribe the corrupted guards outside to be let in. I was in front of the prison and saw two Australian guys attempting to do so but with no avail.

By the way, the featured photo is of Ensalada Frutas (fruit salad) that you can get in Bolivia for as cheap as $1. I’ll sure be missing this when I leave Bolivia.