Facing Bolivia's Economic Crunch With Toy Houses, Fake Banknotes

The Bolivian government is running out of dollar reserves -- forcing it to limit imports of subsidized fuel, causing shortages that have led to numerous protests (Credit: AFP)

For a month every year, thousands of Bolivians throng the stalls of an unusual market in La Paz, shopping for tiny toy houses and wads of fake cash -- substitutes for the real-life objects their hearts desire.

Customers of the Alasita market believe the trinkets, "blessed" by shamans, will somehow pave the way for the real thing.