Potosi

Unfortunately Martin was very ill with altitude sickness when we got to Potosi. Potosi is the highest city in the world. He was sick on the bus, shaking and had a massice fever. He couldn't eat for 2 days and was really not well. So I went to the silver mines alone.


The gifts that we had to take for the miners - dynamite, coca leaves, pure alcohol and food.

The devil that they worship in the mines. They are giving him lit cigarettes and if he smokes them all it is good luck. They also give him alcohol in the hope that he will get kinky with Mother Earth and make her happy so she will bring goodness to them.

Me looking ultra sexy on 'Rich mountain.'

They gave us a demo of the dynamite explosions - yes - this bit of dynamite was lit. He stayed sitted for a while, then had a drink, and then casually walked to where he was putting it. Rather scary!

The young miners. It was friday, so they were drinking as they had finished work. The youngest was 17 and started working with his Dad at the age of 8. Working in the mines obviously has severe health consequences and the the life expectancy is 40years after beginning work in the mines, and 10-20 if they work deep in the mines.

I didn't get very far. They have to do this for hours and hours. Very hard work.

The minerals that were mined - fool's gold and silver.

The roads that we drove on to get from Potosi to Uyuni. Perfect for Martin with altitude sickness. The buses even drove through streams.