No Asthmatics or Claustrophobes

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We are now at the highest city in the world. Lying at 4100m, Potosi offers spectacular views and breathing difficulties. Yesterday we did a bit of walking to man made lakes against a skyline of snowcapped mountains and today we went on a tour of the mines. In a group of 7 we were kitted out with yellow trousers, a yellow top, a yellow hard hat and black boots. We proceeded to the market to buy gifts for the miners such as soft drinks, cigarettes, coca leaves (the starting element for cocaine) and dynamite.
We were taken to the entrance of the mine at 4500m and shown an explosion with the dynamite and we then walked into the mountain. Not really my choice of a fun day out but it's only your mind that makes things difficult. After a few minutes I was fine and quite happy that we had to walk with our backs bent and that the wooden beams that were supporting the roof, were breaking.

Silver, Lead and Zinc are mined at freezing temeratures in some parts and up to 45 degrees in others.

The further you get into the mine the dust really gets into your lungs, that is where the coco leaves come in, you can suck on these (like cowboys do on chewing tobacco) and it takes the taste away. For me though, I needed a bit extra, about 7 puffs on my inhaler.

Still on into the mountain, the heat began to hit us, alongside the absense of oxygen. At this altitude the air is thin anyway and so is hard to breath outside, let alone deep inside a mine. Many became dizzy and had to stop. It is not the nicest feeling in the world when you're seeing stars and you know there's no way you can get to more oxygen quickly. After a minute some stayed where they were while others clambered through a small space, over an 80m drop to see some miners at work.

Breathing became easier after we left this place.

We were then taken through increasingly small spaces to a God that they worship every friday. You can see a picture below. I am not sure if it is a joke or not but the ritual is to douse him in 96% alcohol (which we all tried), put a cigarette in his mouth and also put coco leaves in his mouth.
Apart from this they also offer a dead llamas, or sometimes even dead babies.

2 Hours later, I think most of us were relieved to see light at the end of the tunnel. However, what a fantatsic and mentally challenging experience that I certainly won't forget in a hurry.

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Photos

Man made lakes
Potosi

The 80m drop.
We had to climb down to the left of this shaft and through a tunnel to another level.

Can´t breathe
I hope this can demonstrate how unpleasent it was in there...

The ceremony
Splashing the god with alcohol, putting coca leaves in his mouth alongside a cigarette.

Will and I
Happy to be out...!

Comments

[Rach]

Brave!
Bloomin' heck you two are brave!! I didn't mention in the emails but the previous blog (or maybe one before that?) with the salt plains looks so absolutely beautiful!Rach x

[jo]

life and mines and breathing
Gosh - no way would I have wanted to go down those mines ...great to have done it so all credit to you both!! Missing you lots weather vile xx