Potosí
Our second stop in Bolivia was the city of Potosí. The city claims to be the highest city on the planet at over 4000 m above sea level. Although the 200.00 inhabitants have adapted to this extreme altitude, we had our little problems. We spent a fair amount of time in San Pedro (2500 m) and Uyuni (3600 m). Nevertheless, Karys was struck by Sorojchi (altitude sickness) upon arrival. A few painkillers, rest and last but not least Koka leaves could cure the symnptoms within a day luckily. Potosí and the adjacent Cerro Rico used to be the foundation for the incredible spanish fortune during the time of imperialism. At a certain time in history an estimated 70% of the worlds silver was extracted from here under horrendous conditions for the enslaved indigenous and african miners. A bolivian saying states that one could have a build a bridge from here to spain with the silver and a bridge back out of the bones of the deceased miners... Even though the official mining of the mount...
