Potosi´, the world’s highest city, Bolivia 22-6-2010

 

 

 

 

Potosi´, the world’s highest city, Bolivia 22-6-2010

Odometer: 8058.4 miles

Altitude: 4060 meters

The road from Uyuni to Potosi ´continued to be wonderful. There were plenty of llamas along the road to dodge and take pictures of. In order to get to the final elevation of 4060 meters we actually descended into the city. Our highest elevation was unknown. La Poderosa ran very well all day, though a bit sluggish. Not one of the KLR´s had too much difficulty with the altitude. No one had to pull their air filter, adjust their carbonator or place pealed onions in the air chamber. The local truck drivers and motorcyclists all swear that the clean slices of onion increase the O2 concentration into the carburetor and make the engine run better. I asked if there were any snipe around. They just looked at me funny.
We took a tour of the local mines. Before entering the mines we stopped to buy some dynamite. You can but it at the local market for cheap. It is sold without restriction. We only bought one charge, which was a shame. It made a nice boooom! In the above picture the fuse is lit with about 1 minute 30 seconds left.

We only went about 2 km into the mine. The mountain has been mined since 1545 by slave labor, both indigenous and imported African. The mines, though now depleting, are still worked by 1000s of locals. The conditions are harsh; the base of the mountain is at 4200 meters, the shafts are dusty and narrow, there a very few air shafts, the only lighting is by head lamp. The rail system is poorly done and the cars, both empty and full derail often. It only took about 10 minutes before I had a head ache. I don´t think Uncle Walter would have lasted full day. After 3 hours we were glad to be out.

Uncle Walter