Breakfast was very welcome (eggs). I set off with Tim to get the car sorted out. A local boy, Jean-Jose, took us to a tyre place, oil-changing shop and a car-wash. He was very helpful, as were all the people we came into contact with.
The tyre repair shop was in fact a small house where a family carried out tyre repairs from their tiny living room! The father and sons(?) worked like a Formula 1 tyre changing team, without the use of any power tools they had the wheel off, tyres removed and the punctured repaired. When I came to pay all he asked was $10!! When I attempted to give him $20 he refused to take it, but after much gesticulating on my part he took the money with a great big grin!
Driving from the tyre repair to get the oil changed we saw Cerro Rico in the background. A grim sight knowing that so many millions have died within its mines.
After the oil change it was a car wash to get rid of the diabolical dust that gets into absolutely everything. We met Car No72, Tony Mather and his daughter having their Citroen DS23 washed.
We returned to our hotel and then took a walk through the centre of Potosi. We met a lovely local girl, Daniele, who spoke excellent English. Everyone in Potosi was friendly and very interested in us, but they were mostly extremely poor.
As we were in the town centre a religious parade was making its way to the main church.
Last night we missed a great reception at the Casa de la Moneda (Mint). I think yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. We drove 848 kms, 500 of which were on rough roads, entirely on our own. Lots of other people had problems on the other road, the Sundance Trail. Greg had 4 punctures. We spent the afternoon sorting out and re-packing. We drove to get diesel and had a look at the town. Some of the buildings were beautiful, the others decidedly not. Colin is tired and finding the altitude a problem. I am OK so far but we are all being careful – not drinking/smoking and trying not to rush around. Tim and I looked for somewhere for dinner and found El Meson, just on the main square. We met 2 Inca people, Jan and Julianne from Holland, and ate with them. It was our first proper meal for ages – very nourishing vegetable soup and a Bolivian speciality, piccante chicken. Colin stayed in his room and we took him back a take-away from the restaurant.
Tomorrow La Paz!
