when you say bolivia i think "poverty". incredible country mostly sitting at high altitude of 3000 meters and higher. except for amazon. death road going to the amazon is , well, exactly what it says, death road. trucks and buses plunge down steep cliffs and people die. tourists take downhill bikes and bike it. we are strange animals.
la paz, lake titicaca, death road and amazon
la paz is fascinating city with its glory in the southern part which looks like any big city in north america. but its poor brother el alto is a different story. garbage,shit,dogs,dirty kids,old buses,taxis,street food,drunks. and yet, i spent almost two weeks in this city just enjoying the atmosphere and exploring its surroundings.
mining in bolivia
potosi is old mining town which was founded during spanish colonization. and spain is where all its riches went to. cerro rico is a majestic mountain which has been getting mined for over 400 years. over 350 mining shafts. milions of people dead. and yet, even today, locals are proud of their heritage. they work in the worst human work condition one can imagine. don't believe it? go into the mine and see for yourself.
uyuni and southern bolivia
uyuni salt flats are the largest salt flats in the world. salt is about 7 meters deep. and what is underneath? world's largest deposit of lithium. if you go there in the beginning of rainy season you will experience surreal reflections in the water. horizon is gone and so is sense of direction. are we going up, or down, or? very strange feeling. southern bolivia has some fascinating landscape at hight altitude. rocks,volcanos,lagunas. but there is life. pink flamingos.