| Potosi: Visiting the Mines |
| Potosi's claim to fame is that it is the worlds highest city, located at an elevation of over 4,200 meters. We decided to visit the city after hearing about the crazy mines there. For about 7 dollars and presents (for the miners) of soda, coca leaves and dynamite (which you can buy over the counter in Bolivia), a part time miner turned tour guide will take you into an active mine. Our guide was so great, and after buying presents, he gave us each a shot of 98 percent alcohol, a hand full of coca leaves and sent us into the mines: |
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| Going Inside the Mines |
| Inside the mines, its an intricate system of dust filled tunnels and levels that you have to crawl through. They say if you have asthma or are claustrarphobic that you shouldnt go. They Arn't Kidding!!!! |
| Inside, the conditions are awful, its hard to believe that people could be allowed to work like that in any country. These guys work 10-12 hour days without breaks and without food, chewing coca leaves (check out their huge coca leaf checks!) to help with the altitude, give them energy and surpress their appetites. Unfortunately, the coca leaves are also a contributing factor to their bad health. Its rare for a miner to live past their 30s! After 2 hours inside the mine, and wearing 2 face masks to filter out the dust, Keeli and I had the brownest teeth and dirt filled mouths! Its hard living. Our wonderful guide, actually one of the greatest people we had met, told us that "the most important thing that a miner can have inside the mine is a sense of humor." I believe it!!! |
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| 1: Inside the mines |