Potosi

Us all dressed up
see all photos »

after an hour debate on which city we were going to visit, Potosi came up trumps, we were interested in the mining they had there and the conditions that were imposed on the workers.

so after our 10 hour bus ride (ill say again,,,, with no toilets) we arrived in Potosi worse for wear. after finding suitable accommodation we set upon finding a tour agency for the mine visit. Koala tours sounds appropriate.. (later found that it was called this because koalas eat eucalyptus leaves and that Potosi people eat coca leaves...i can see the relevance). so that afternoon still suffering from the bus trip we went on our mine tour....

The entrance to the mine. Take note of the amount of blood around and the two piles of guts.
see all photos »

the mine for the town employs approximately 10,000 people. mostly run in little private gangs working for them selves. the average wage for the month is approximately 15000 bolivanos (1800US) which is very good money. however the life expectancy is approximately 45, due to respiratory problems.  all but one group still use pick axes and shovels in the mines, and the ore is carried out in trundler system.

the richest man in Potosi was working for himself for 2 years when he found the biggest vein, 2.5m wide pure silver and 30m long.

This is the point where 5 of the 7 in our group decided we were a bit clostrifobic and went back. ( you had to crawl on your hands and knees for a long way)
see all photos »

because we arrived in June this is the time that the miners worship the devil. and make llama sacrifices to reduce the number of deaths in the mine (something about shedding llama blood instead of human). anyway we were just in time to see the gutting of the llamas in the entrance way to the mine....yum yum.. also this ritual involved a lot drinking, which in turn meant that we had to supply some booze upon our visit.... 2 bottles of rum and coke and some beer... which i though we drunk anyway...

Shannon in the mine.
see all photos »

so after being geared up we head into the mind to conquer the three levels. after 1/2 hour and on our way to the second level 5 out of the 7 tourists pulled out due to breathing and caustrophobic problems..... toby and i was one of them.... it was incredibly hot and were were only on the 1st of 14 floors... i don't know how they do it.

the tour was really an insight to the working conditions they have.. its amazing what people will do for good money even at the sacrifice of their time here.