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Potosi Travel Blogs

Background: Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, and waging an anticorruption campaign.

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By The Sapir Family
November 9th 2009

Bolivia - Center and South South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

Our ice creams in the ice cream palace

Hi, It has been really long since I wrote an entry, so my kids decided it is my turn this time to tell the story of our adventures in Bolivia after returning from Rurenabaque (Pamapas and Amish). And if the kids say I should be doing somethin, I better do it... After returning to La Paz from Rurenabaque, Tal decided he has to make some strength and courage test - he went biking on the 'Death Road'. It is a gravel road that stretches over ~60 km with many curves. It is very narrow and on one side there is the [View Full Entry]

By DeanAndDiana
November 8th 2009

Potosi,Potosi,Potosiiiii South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

Potosi

... nach einer ungemuetlichen Fahrt, in einem sehr alten Bus sind wir Nachts in Potosi angekommen. Es gab nicht viel zu tun, ausser ein wenig durch die Stadt zu wandern und eine Tour durch die beruehmten Minen zu buchen. Nachmittags haben wir ein Kloster besichtigt...auf jeden fall sehr interessant.Es war ein kleines aber reiches Kloster und frueher haben die reichen spanischen Familien ihre zweitgeborenen Toechter dorthin geschickt, im Alter von 15 Jahren.Es gab nur Platz fuer 21 Nonnen und ihr einziger Kontakt zur Aussenwelt bestand aus G [View Full Entry]

By Mark1981
November 6th 2009

Would could be more normal than a Northerner down a mine South America » Bolivia

Photo 2

The chicken bus to Potosi only cost me £2.80. I felt somewhat over charged considering the the death trap on wheels which I was about to board would be lucky if it make it to the end of the street never mind Potosi. When I got on the bus, a lady was sat in the seat which I had booked. Now, under normal circumstances I would have let her sit there without a problem, but the amount of times I have been asked to vacate a seat whilst in South America because it has been booked then it felt quite good [View Full Entry]

By Jmo
October 31st 2009

Salar de Uyuni & Potosi South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

Still a bit drowsy from the overnight bus from La Paz, I arrived in Uyuni on Wed 28/10, still undecided on whether to do a 1 or 3 day tour of the Salar de Uyuni, the world´s largest salt flat. Given my recent bus experiences I didn´t want to sit in a Jeep for 3 days (they let you out for 20 minutes at a time) so I chose to do a 2 day tour of the Salar and a couple of the lagunas. The Salar was absolutely beautiful, although I imagine it can get old very quickly. However, despite my [View Full Entry]

By OneWaySupertramp
September 7th 2009

Explosives training in Potosi South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

Potosi

It is about 2am and from our window we are looking down upon the clouds. A full moon illuminates a blanket of white candyfloss with only peaks of chocolate mountains piercing through. A sight that reminded me of a plane journey at night, even the bumpy ride resembles turbulence. But we are not on a plane. We are on an overnight bus climbing from Tarija to Potosi crossing over the Cordilleras de Chichas on a dusty unpaved road. We are leaving behind the highest vineyards in the world and heading to the highest city in the world. Potosi sits at 13,500 [View Full Entry]

By nomuchaagua
August 20th 2009

Kopalnia srebra i cmentarzysko pociagow South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

Pret-a-Porter

Potosi/Uyuni [View Full Entry]

By barnsleylad
August 16th 2009

cerro rico South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

mine cart and miners

The journey to Potosi was short and hairy. The bus was full of sweaty people eating smelly food and Josie was fretting from the word go about when she would get to stop for the loo. The unsealed gravel road wound for 4 hours round hairpin bends, on multicoloured mineral-rich hills, past llamas and a silver mine where Butch Cassidy had apparently held up a train. When we did stop for the loo, there was no loo and there was a mad scramble for the nearest bush, where Josie managed to impale herself on a cactus! Once in Potosi, we decided [View Full Entry]

By MikeBee
July 17th 2009

The silver mines of Potosi South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

All dressed up and ready to go down the silver mine

Potosi is a lovely town in Bolivia which sits at the base of a hill containing huge silver reserves. This silver has been mined for hundreds of years and has meant the town has many pretty churches and plazas built by it's wealthy, and lucky, residents. To better understand what these miners go through to extract the silver from the hill we went out to mines. After putting on our protective clothing we dropped in at a market to buy the miners presents of dynamite, soft drinks and bags of coca leaves. Then we made our way up the hill to [View Full Entry]

Working in the silver mines is real mens work

Climbing up one of the narrow mine sharfts

By hkwoody
June 30th 2009

The Mountain That Eats Men South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

Cerro Rico

Almost no words to describe our experience in Potosi. The bus journey from Sucre was an event in itself, on the bad side my seat was stuck in the recline position making things uncomfortable for me and the girl behind me and the bus was also (over)loaded with people standing next to us for the bumpy six hour journey. But as always the upsides made up for it, the mountain views are spectacular and the food and drink sellers who appeared each time we stopped were entertaining and made sure we didn't go hungry or thirsty. The fact that the city [View Full Entry]

By WeeJill
June 28th 2009

Mining in Potosi South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi

P6280013

Our stop in Potosi was a quick one as there is not much to do there except the excursion to see the working Silver mines. It was an awesome experience and I promise never to complain about my working conditions ever again! The local people spend up to 36 hours in horrible conditions using just a hammer and chisel and some dynamite. The larger mines have drills but they do not work on a sunday as there is no electricity. After we got kitted out in our very sexy gear we headed in to the mine with our guide. there are [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » South America » Bolivia » Potosí Department » Potosi