Hostel Koala Den, Potosí

Arrived in Potosí this morning at 5 o'clock (1h earlier than expected). The bus (Trans Copacabana) was quite comfortable with wide reclinable seats + blankets were provided because the nights are cold at this altitude (Potosí is the highest city in the world, at 4090m).

Potosí is a mining town, e.g. you can walk into a grocery store and buy dynamite (including the fuse it costs just 15 Bs). Took a Koala Tours to visit one of the mines. (Why such a name "Koala Tours", you might wonder. Explanation: the koala chews eucalyptus leaves, while miners chew coca leaves...)

The tour was fascinating, but quite scary, including crawling from level to level through narrow and dusty tunnels, and seeing and talking to miners many of whom seemed depressed and exhausted. For a longer description of the mining techniques and working conditions in Potosí see the Wikitravel's article on Potosí.

Csilla meanwhile decided to spend time checking out Potosí's colonial churches many of which were unfortunately closed.

Some Potosí photos are here. Tomorrow will go on, but haven't decided yet to where.