Llama Hunt Aborted

Relax, we were hunting with cameras. 

My singular goal since arriving in La Paz has been to see some llamas and alpacas. The closest I've come is a few sweaters and a herd that was being moved through the city - probably headed to a local restaurant. Yum. 

Our two-car caravan headed out on the rocky and windy road up to where the llamas graze during the day. Just as there is a tree line above which trees do not grow, there is a llama line below which the llamas do not wander. So, up and up we went on what I considered more of a hiking trail than a road. After about 30 minutes of bumping along we realized that we had lost the second car in our troop. Turning back we found that our friends had suffered a massive tire blowout. 

After successfully changing the tire it was a little too late to get to the llamas before dark and it certainly didn't seem like a good idea to continue driving on the spare. So, down, down, down we headed. 

And, since I can't share any llama pictures, I'd like to share another unique Bolivian feature. A form of "community justice" is  common practice in various communities. Below is a warning to would-be bandits and thieves that crime simply won't be tolerated by the locals.