Llama Toys

Location: La Paz, Bolivia - El Mercado de las Brujas / Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches' Market)
Location: Calle Linares, between the street and Santa Cruz Sagarnaga

"Dinero y trabajo para Son," the plump witch raises the talismans to eye level. "Con buena suerte estos tendras you.

Magical talismans for money and jobs? Do they work? Of course not, but I need the luck I can, if I purchase the talismans for five Bolivianos. Darn cheap if they will do as claimed. Place the new toys in my leather shoulder bag I keep in the street with my wife tease the tune of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." She says I have the hat, jacket and bag similar Indiana Jones ", but did not whip and gun. I left those states.

The cobbled street Linares hosts a crowded line of unusual stores collectively known as El Mercado de las Brujas the Witches' Market, located in downtown La Paz, and summarizes the strangeness of Bolivia well. Bolivia is where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and revolutionary Che Guevara all met their fate. This is where the British ambassador to Bolivia was strapped naked to a donkey, paraded around the capital, and forced to eat a large quantity of chocolate after declining the local drink chicha. This is where the original Garden of Eden is located (or if the colored people cry). Here is the Palace of salt, a hotel made entirely of good salt. And this is a young girl in Aymara dress, sitting in the middle of a table of several curiosities, offers my wife and me a dried llama fetus to protect our house against evil spirits. I nod my approval, Veronica makes a face and shakes his head.

"Por favor Entrena," with a slight hello to the girl opens her hands the store entrance. "Hay muchas cosas mas adentro.

The disorder seems to be straight out of a horror movie. Mounted animal heads glare at me with unseeing eyes, feathers and potions adorn the tables, herbs spill from their dirty bags on the floor like a dog sniffs the powerful smells. I consider items in any particular order that the girl offers him. For luck with a new business enterprise I can buy a llama fetus burned a plate of sweets and herbs - too big to pack. The amulet is love to get married - do not need one. An amulet of a naked couple embracing to improve sex life - hhhmmmmm.

Dried frogs for more money, armadillos to prevent thieves from entering the house, love potions, magic charms, animal skins, medicines and remedies used in Aymara traditions are all for sale - that should I choose?

I noticed a large collection of different colored candles. Intent on sales of several of the girl gives me an explanation of their powers. They are made of wax animal and when burned release their magical properties. The blue candle is for good luck with work, yellow - health, green - money, purple - happiness, black neighborhoods evil spirits, should be used in a cemetery covered by night, protecting White - ...

With respect I pull the black candle from his tray. "Look at this Vero! Is what we need."

"Hey Indiana, said she looks up from the amulet naked couple." I do not think so. "

Where did I leave my whip?

If the black candle is going to cause problems for some talismans have to do. I charge ten more in my shoulder bag, making sure I include the toad talisman for good luck with money, and the deity talisman for buena suerte jobs.

But are they really? Well, you read this article.