After farewelling Cassie's parents in La Paz, her sister and the 2 of us headed overnight to Sucre, Bolivia's capital; a UNESCO world heritage listed city for its historical downtown of white, 18th and 19th century, post-colonial buildings. Although the city is Bolivia's capital, all the levels of government operate out of La Paz; a fact that many in Sucre detest.
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| More zebras helping people cross the road. |
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| Dancers in the Labour Day street parade. |
We next headed to Potosí, one of the highest cities in the world at 4100m above sea level, to visit the site of the Spanish colonial mint which was founded in 1545. Due to the wealth created by the mine's silver deposits, Potosí became one of the largest, and most wealthy, cities in the Americas during the colonial times. In the 1800s, the mine was mostly depleted of silver, so now the main ore is tin. We took a tour of the mine (which operates today as an independent collective amongst locals) with
Big Deal Tours and experienced a small sample of the tough life that the miners live. The mine has featured in several documentaries outlining the plight of child labourers, and this is still a complex issue that goes on today. Before the tour, you are encouraged to purchase gifts for the miners including dynamite, coca leaves to help with the altitude, juice to keep them going and their alcohol of choice - a 94% white alcohol which was pretty much just methylated spirits. We had an excellent guide, Pedro (who worked in the mines from age 10-18), and the experience was both interesting and enjoyable.
The mountain of Cerro Rico from Potosí town.
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| All ready in our mining gear. |
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| Heading in to the refinery. |
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| Entering the mine. |
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| Some of the miners must carry the tin ore out of the mine on their back. |
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| The figure the miners call 'Tio', the uncle who watches over all of the miners, keeping them safe, giving them good yields (and who gives them an excuse to drink). |
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| Our guide, Pedro, enjoying the 94% alcohol in a sacrifice to 'tio' (we also left him some coca leaves and cigarettes). |
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