It has a tragic history, as it was exploited by the Spanish for its silver. The mines in the surrounding hills are still in use today, with life expectancy just 10 years for the workers there. Hideous.
Although these days the boom of the colonial times is long gone, meaning that Potosi just has fading architecture and mineral deposits. It´s a lovely town though. It´s the most attractive since Cusco, with balconies and a few pedestrianised streets. Today we visited a convent and the famous mint (which used to make all the Spanish coins a few centuries ago) both of which have a rich collection of paintings and valuable objects. Naturally mostly made of silver!
It was nice to do something cultural and to soak up the atmosphere. Tonight we´re going to try some local folk music, hopefully!
I´m off to put on my dancing shoes.
Well I hope you have a great time dancing the night away Jen - and sampling the local brew perhaps?! Any chance a bit of silver accidentily slipped into your pocket! :-) Hope you aren't thinking of becoming a Nun after your visit to the convent - can't see you dressed up in a habit!! You really are having a great time and me and Graham are following you every day/blog. Can't wait to see the pics when you get home - will have to be a session with a few glasses to get the atmosphere going! Reading your blogs just makes you realise how much we take good old Blightly for granted when there is so much poverty in other parts of the world and they just get on with it.
ReplyDeleteKeep the blogs coming and looking forward to your next one. Lots of Love Auntie YaYa and Uncle Graham!!!! :-)