It really sucked today, because I was one day away from the biggest celebration in Bolivia, and I was in the main city, but I had to leave to Potosi this morning. I had a quick breakfast in a little restaurant and took a morning bus at 9:30am to Potosi. It was a longer than expected bus ride because I got there around 1pm.

Potosi was really nice. This place used to be the richest city in the world because of the mines where they extracted silver, led, zinc, and other such minerals. The Spaniards used Potosi to increase their wealth, however, once the mines started getting depleted, Potosi spiralled down into a very poor city. Now, people from Potosi travel to Sucre or Cochabamba everyday to try to make a living.

I did not have much time because when I got to Potosi, I bought a ticket to Uyuni at 6:30pm. I had only come to Potosi to go to the mines and then leave. I was in luck because when I arrived in the center, there was a tour group that was just leaving and had one more place available. I was going with 3 guys from Spain and one girl from Argentina.

We had to get into special gear with helmets and a headlamp to get into the mines. Miners usually go through a whole day without eating, and only chewing coca leaves to give them energy. The work for long strenuous hours (it's almost like slave work). And if they can't extract anything, they don't get paid. Our group brought some drinks and more coca leaves for the workers.

Once we got into the mines, it was like a maze. Our guide, though, was amazing. I asked him how long it took him to learn how to get around in the mines, and he told me it took him 2-3 years! And it changes every year! In the mines, we saw little statues of devils. Over here, it is believed that the devil protects them in the underworld (the mines) so they must worship the devil in order to stay protected, however, when they resurface, they are catholic, and God protects them. How crazy is that?!

After the mines, I hurried to go catch my bus. I don't know why though because Bolivians (like Peruvians) never respect time. We left at around 7pm. Sitting next to me was a girl studying medicine at the prestigious school in Sucre. We talked for a bit, and we shared a big blanket that she brought on the bus. It was a good thing because it was freezing! On the bus, there was a lady in back of me that wouldn't let me recline my chair. She seemed to resent foreigners mumbling something everytime I tried to recline.

I got to Uyuni at around 1am. It was a good thing that I reserved at a hostel while I was in Potosi, because it was freezing and looking for a hostel at 1am while it is -5 to -10 degrees is not the most ideal thing...I got to my hostel and went to bed right away, under the warm covers. Tomorrow, I had to search for an agency to tour the Salar of Uyuni...