Blowing up dynamite

I headed into Potosi last night and got right to the silver mines this morning. my tour began at about 830 and the first thing we had to do was change into waterproof boots, and coveralls and a special jacket. and of course my favorite was my miners hat with light. after that, we went to the market to actually purchase our dynamite, fuse, etc and bring gifts to the miners such as coco leaves, cigarettes and boos. when we got to the mines we got a short tour of a museum and a history of the silver mine we were going into which is over 300 years old. after that we headed into the mines which was hot and very difficult to breath because of all the dust and of course all the tunnels were different sizes so it was good to have the hat, i bumped my head a few times. we saw them pulling the rocks and silver in 250 kilo bags and then we went down another 25m and helped shovel and use the pick ax a bit. it got even worse to breath down there. im not sure how these miners manage it 12 hours a day and 7 days a week. after that, we headed outside and got to make our bombs and explode them. yes, of course, i have pictures. soon soon soon.

Today was actually the first day that I felt I was losing my reality. The mines are full of indigenous people whose land was stolen from them and they barely have a roof over their head. the life expectancy in the mines is only 47 years old and they make about 1200 bolivianos a month, which is the highest in this town which works out to about 150 us dollars a month. I look at these people and their eyes are dark and tragic, I almost feel like an alien but at the same time have never felt closer to the human race. Im met with both fear and admiration. Borders seem strange that way when you leave the things you love but our enthusiastic for whats to come.

their eyes are dark and tragic