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The depths of height 2

Sunday, December 26th, 2004

A trip to Potosi wouldn’t be complete without a tour of the mines that made this place both a source of fortune and a source of death for millions of people over the centuries right up until the present day. While Em was content to come along and see what happened outside, I plucked up the courage to enter the mountainside and experience the truly horrific working conditions that have barely changed since the first traces of the mountain’s vast riches were discoveredin the 1500’s.
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Copacabana Christmas

Sunday, December 26th, 2004

Merry Christmas everyone! It doesn`t feel like Christmas here but then the celebrations appear to be minimal, and we haven`t got the smell of turkey or sprouts in the air or our family around us. We`ve missed our family a lot today – and thought a lot about those we`re missing.

And we saw our first South American cat this morning. At last!

The weather was slightly overcast so we headed out for an explore as it was ideal for walking.
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Copacabana but no Barry Mannilow

Sunday, December 26th, 2004
It was a good feeling to know we were leaving La Paz. The mix of altitude and dirty air was all too much. Eventually, we found the back seat of the Turisbus to Copacabana and the air and scenery improved ... [Continue reading this entry]

Lost in La Paz

Saturday, December 25th, 2004
It was quite sad to be leaving the Hostal de Su Merced in Sucre. In protest, Eugene`s chest was intent on spewing up the filtered debris from Potosi and my guts decided to remind me I was travelling in ... [Continue reading this entry]

The depth of heights 1

Saturday, December 25th, 2004
"The toe" appeared to be on the mend, but the altitude seemed to have turned Eugene`s legs to an aching weight of lead. It was a bad night`s sleep. Maybe it was revenge from the llama steak he`d eaten the ... [Continue reading this entry]

Altitude symptoms

Saturday, December 25th, 2004
One grave concern for both of us in planning this short adventure of a life time is the effect of altitude on our bodies. Our home is a mere 300-ish feet above sea level, our training has seen us ... [Continue reading this entry]

And then we got high!

Saturday, December 25th, 2004
We thought it would be a good idea to get a bit more altitude in before we brave the Inca trail in a couple of weeks. Potosi is around 4 hours by bus from Sucre or 2.5 - 3 hours ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Christmas ´works do´

Saturday, December 25th, 2004
We decided to bring both guide books with us - there was space in the rucksack, and part of the fun of travelling is checking out just how accurate the entries really are. So, our second night in Sucre ... [Continue reading this entry]

A whole day in Sucre

Saturday, December 25th, 2004
Life at the Hostal de Su Merced just gets better. The rooms are beautiful, it`s lovely and quiet and the breakfast is stunning! Loads of fresh fruit and bread, feshly squeezed juice and fresh cakes - banana, lemon meringue, cherry ... [Continue reading this entry]

Beggars´ Belief

Saturday, December 25th, 2004
There really isn´t much difference between any city or town across the world when it comes to beggars and those who have fallen on hard times or never had the chance to hold some silver in their hands. They ... [Continue reading this entry]