Potosi

After waiting for taxis to take us from our hotel in Sucre to Potosi, 3 hrs later we arrived into this city, with its altitude of 4,070m.

The taxi journey was certainly eventful with all 5 cabs jostling for prime position and fighting their way over the terribly constructed roads. It was livened up when one of the cabs stopped at the many check points, the driver ran into the office to process his papers, ran out and drove off leaving 3 of his 4 clients standing at the side of the road. Luckily our driver was able to make him aware that he needed to go back or else it would have been a tight squeeze!!!

Anyway, we arrived into Potosi and I couldn't believe the look of the place. The flight strip of the airport was a small flat section on an even part of the mountain and the houses near it didn't look fit for animals to live in, but the children playing outside them in the dirt looked happy. Just over the roof tops were the beautiful mountains and the crisp air.

With the altitude, it's difficult to catch a breath and it's cold! It makes a real change. Tonight there was a brilliant thunder and lightning storm which actually hit the main Cathedral, that was exciting.

The next day Chris and I met up with Ina and headed out to explore the city, its markets and some silver shops, but there weren't really any. Some of the other members of the group visited one of the silver mines but I didn't agree with it. None of the 90 Bolivianos the trip was charged would be going to the miners. Some of the other tour companies donate 15% of their fee to healthcare for the mine co-operatives, ours didn't.

While we wandered the city hail started to fall, and it definitely came down. It was actually really, really cold!

Tonight the group went out to celebrate Mick's birthday and we'd all a great time, but outside the doors of the restaurant there were 4 children begging. The little girl with them was only 5 - just over a year older than our niece and she was out on a busy street at midnight. The children did nothing but smile through the windows at us. It's tough seeing the children begging on streets, but they even hold their hands out for money when you're passing them on a bus. It's certainly another country.