Or should I call it as gem of the Andes? Not only I found Potosi a little
jewelery box but also a sparkling little town up in the sky. Colourful colonial
houses, smiling people and the red Cerro Rico mountain in the background.
Potosi is at 4090 meters high and
the highest town on Earth. It was established by the Spanish conquistadors to gain the silver out of the surrounding mountains.
Today Potosi is still a mining city and is rich in minerals. However, its architectural heritage and its romantic little
streets is discovered by more and more tourists. What you can do in Potosi? Walk on the streets, visit the still-woking
mines or dip into the
thermal baths.
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From the central square |
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Streets of Potosi |
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Refreshing in the "heat" |
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The "Rich Mountain" (Cerro Rico) |
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Colonial balcony |
The day when I left the town, was the celebration of Corpus Christi. Primary
school students were preparing religious pictures of colourful sliver on the main square in the
morning sun. Everyone was working. Everyone was enthusiastic. I felt that the
whole town was working together to celebrate. While the children were busy with
their pictures, the teachers were decorating the trees and walls, and the
priests were pulling big veils
around the cathedral. The square was filled with the acoustics
of Gregorian songs. That is, how I felt, the religion comes alive and fills the
hearts with emotions.
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Students preparing a picture |
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The square is busy |
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The Cathedral is being dressed up |
Tips:
- The bus ride from La Paz to Potosi took approx. 8 hours. I traveled with Illimani, but most of the bus companies offer the ride around 70-80BOB. Make sure there is heating/ blanket on the bus, or wear all your layers. It is cold during a night ride.
- In Potosi slept in the "La Vicuna" Hostel. It was two blocks from the center, very well
located. There was warm water, the beds were comfortable and breakfast was
included. There was no heating, but the blankets were warm enough at night. The
hostel also offered lunch for an extra 15BOB. Antonio, the owner was one of the most professional tour guides I have met in Bolivia.
About Tiny Girl With Big Bag
Hobby writer and autodidact photographer whose passion is to travel and get to know new people and cultures. She has been on 4 continents and 30 countries, and the outcome is this travel blog where she shares travel stories, thoughts, tips and photography always through a subjective eye.
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