Potosi: silver mines and dynamite!

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Claire:
potosi is a small mining town that was once home to one of the most lucrative silver mines in south america. these mines had awful conditions and caused an estimated 8 million deaths in total. the mines are still operational, though most of the product is tin these days, and the tours of these mines are the main reason to come to potosi. the miners still work long shifts in awful conditions for poor pay but while the work is dangerous and crap it still gives them more income than some of the other jobs they could do in the area.
the mine tour we went on was pretty tame but ross and the rest of the group decended 25m lower than me on a rope tied around their bums (i decided to take the boring but safe route and meet them later). also, much to ross' delight, we got to blow up some dynamite and got to buy more at the market to keep for ourselves or to give to the miners to help their mining.
ross got to do the actual blowing up of the dynamite. i was unconvinced on the safety of the whole activity but his face was such a picture and he still has all his fingers attached so i guess it was worth it.
we bought some dodgy paraguayan vodka for 1.50pounds to keep us occupied on the otherwise boring nights on the salt flats and bundled into a bus to uyuni, the town that is the gateway to the flats.

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Photos

dynamite fever 2
i got a bit black and white at the mines

dynamite fever 3
ross got a bit dynamite happy

dynamite fever 4
sucking coca leaves just like a real miner

dynamite fever 5
i just really like this photo

dynamite fever 6
the sprawl of downtown potosi

dynamite fever 7
our guide setting up the dynamite

dynamite fever 8
at this point the fuse was actually lit. note ross' huuuuge smile.

dynamite fever 9
kids: never run with dynamite

dynamite fever 10
the setting down of the dynamite in a leisurley fashion even though the fuse is still burning

dynamite fever 11
kaboooooooooo..

dynamite fever 12
...ooooooooooooom

inside the mine 1
the entrance to the mine with a random guy

inside the mine 2
miners at work

inside the mine 3
miners at work

inside the mine 4
ross give it a go. the miner made some cheeky comments about the way he handled his chisel but fun was had by all

inside the mine 5
ross getting lowered into a 25m deep shaft with only a rope round his bum.

inside the mine 6
me and pachamama (mother earth). im sure you'll agree we both look stunning

inside the mine 7
ross and el diablo. he finally got rid of his pesky soul here

potosi
the main square