We visited the mines in the mining town of Potosi in Bolivia today and met and talked to a small number of the 2000 miners still working in these fascinating mines.
Potosi is stated to be ovr 4000m above sea level and you can certainly feel the difference in breathing at this altitude. It was once one of the richest cities in South America as it was the center for silver mining for the Spanish.
The mines today have very little silver left but has high deposits of zinc and tin.
We entered the mines today in a small group with a fantastic guide who introduced us to several miners working there today. They work for very long periods i.e. over 30 hours in one shift and due to the conditions within the mine they have an amazing diet of coca leaves, 96 percent alcohol and cinnamon flavoured cigarettes to ensure their energy levels remain high and they do not fall asleep.
We presented gifts to the miners and chatted a little through a translator - Tennille even got a ride on one of their trains going back into the mine.
It was another amazing experience during our time in Bolivia and one that really brought home to us again how amazingly lucky we both are.
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