The grim city of Potosi exists because of one thing, Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain), which looms large over what would otherwise be a barren and empty plain over 4000 meters above sea level. Early on in the Colonial Period the mountian was found to contain an enormous wealth in silver, which the Spanish were quick to exploit. Potosi has been there ever since. We arrived in the early afternoon. The sun was shining and it was relativley warm. Potosi is by no means a large sprawling city, there are no new suburbs, no outer districts and the whole place can be taken in from one view. However Potosi is a very old city and this can be clearly seen in the narrow streets and delapidated buildings. We found a comfortable and friendly hostal near the central
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