Hazy Vacation Destination

NOTW classic (October 2009): What’s believed to be the world’s only commercial lounge openly serving cocaine operates in La Paz, Bolivia, though the owners of “Route 36” have to change location from time to time, depending on the moods of the bribed authorities. An August (2009) item in London’s The Guardian reported a nearly pure gram costs about $14 ($22 for “premium”), served by waiters in an empty CD case, with straws; bar drinks are also available. Route 36 is well-known to backpacking tourists. Recalled one waiter, “We had some Australians; they stayed here for four days. [T]he only time they left was to go to the ATM.”