2. Never take local buses. Take the Tourista buses that blend locals and tourists.
3. Try not to travel alone.
Hmmmm okay so I broke rule 1 and 2 on my first trip but it was my way of following rule number 3 so that evens out I think.
My plan was to skip Potosi all together because I had heard there wasn´t much there except a town at an elevation of 4,100m (highest city in the world) with tours of active tin mines. Having been to a closed asbestos mine in Lennoxville, Qc last summer I already knew I didn´t like it in the center of the earth and that wasn´t paired with men (and sadly children as young as 10) who were risking their lives for less than 2 dollars a day with a life expectancy of 35 thanks to lungs filled with dust (of course they don´t have proper gear).
However, since the crew was headed that way before going on to Sucre I figured I´d stick with the crowd. Strength in numbers and all that.
On the left is a view of the city of Potosi. Basically all the buildings in Bolivia are made of red brick and aren´t more than a few storys. The landscape is continuous rolling hills/mountains so traveling distances takes much longer than you´d think looking at a map with all the weaving along the cliff riddled roads.
We made it safe and sound though and the five of us all huddled into a cab together (yes 5 adults with backpacks the side of small sedans all loaded into one station wagon that had seen better days). This is what we were willing to do to stick to rule number 3.
After living it I can tell you I would have HATED myself if I´d done it alone.
Plan was to stay for two nights including the night we arrived so it was a brief visit. Day One we wandered around the markets which sold mostly socks and underwear, soap/sun block and cheap watches. Not really the markets one travels for weeks to find but interesting none the less. They also of course had food stalls selling fruit and meats (snout and horns intact). We enjoyed a snack of Saltinas and Empinadas from the stalls on the street.
Later on we came across the Potosi futbol (soccer for my
N. American friends) stadium and it wasn´t locked so we took a peak inside. Tara got chased away by a dog so we knew out time should remain short but it was fun to check out.
We´ve since learned that Bolivia is no longer allowed to host games because no team can beat them at this altitude. I can´t decide if I think that´s fair or not. I mean use what you´ve got right?
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