Day 20 - Potosi, Bolivia - 7 April 2012

Day 20 – Potosi, Bolivia – 7 April 2012

We got ready for our Mines tour which began at 830am, well it was supposed to start then but we ended up getting on the road at 9am.  The guides said this was typical as we were on “Bolivian time”. Our first stop was at the miners market.  Here everything was sold for miners, including helmets, overalls, helmet lights etc.  We all bought something at the miners market as we were encouraged to give the miners who were working a present.  Ann and I bought two bottles of fizzy drink and some coco leaves.  Coco leaves are what the miners chew on all day to help them with working in altitude.  We were also encouraged to chew on these coco leaves to help us, so we did.  They tasted terrible, but I think it did help.  Either that or it was all in the head, but I felt better for it.  Ann later told me that we would fail a cocaine test for the next two weeks.

Our next stop was to a shed where we got changed into our mining gears.  Overalls, helmets with lights and gumboots were provided.  We then walked to the refinery which separated the silver from the waste and prepared it for exporting.  We then jumped back on the bus and drive up the hill to the mine entrance.  The mine is situated about 4,350 metres above sea level so it would be tough working conditions.  We entered the mine and walked through to the other side of the mountain.  During our walk we stopped in various spots for rests and some commentary about the history of the mine and workers requirements.  Since it was Easter Saturday there was limited activity in the mine but we did see some workers.

When we exited the mine, we watched our guides light some explosives and let them off.  Some people in the tour bought dynamite as presents for the miners and there was one left over, so the guides let it off! I was expecting a good bang, but I was surprised with the force.  Was pretty cool.  We then got back on the bus and went back into town.  Also on this tour was another fella who was on the 4x4 tour with us, so we went out for lunch with him.  We had a four course lunch which cost B100 (NZ$17.70) for the three of us.  This included a drink for each of us too. Ridiculously cheap.

We then went back to our hostel for a shower and then went to a museum and took a tour.  The tour was in Spanish so we had no idea what was being said.  We waited until the group had moved on and then read the English text next to each display.  The tour was OK, but the building that the tour went through was magnificent.  The building was built in 1753 and had been well maintained over the years.

After the tour we went back to our hostel and checked our emails to find that 4 people from our 4x4 tour were in town and they wanted to get together for dinner.  We met these people at about 8pm and went out for dinner and had a few drinks.  Probably had a few too many drinks for the altitude we were at but we had a good night.

Real Deal Mine tour - http://realdealtours.blogspot.co.uk/