appetite was only 3 hours from Sucre to Potosi which was great for a change. Once we got there our friend Anj felt sick so we found the first hostel so she could rest and Junior and I went out looking at tour options for the mines and then had a nice llama dinner.

Potosi is known for it's silver mines so the mining tour is very popular for the gringos. It cost just over $10 for the tour including all protective gear. On the way to the mines they stop at the miners markets where you buy gifts for the miners like coca leaves, 98% alcohol, smokes, juice, gloves and even dynamite. After we stopped at this view point which was a view of the processing unit for the mines. We could see piles of exposed minerals which were dangerous when the rain comes it causes it to flow into the waterway and then in the dry it blows in to the air. Apparently the government come and take pictures, take the pictures to the boss and then the boss pays the government and the pictures disappear. So as you can imagine it’s not a very safe town to live in.

After the view point we drive to the mines. There are many groups working on the same mountain looking for the next big hit. Once we arrived we see 3 guys pushing these trolleys on wooden tracks which later we find out that the trolleys full of rubble are 1.2 tons. One guys run ahead to move the tracks in the directions they want to go and the other 2 push. These guys do 20 trips in and 20 trips out per day. Inside the mines there is arsenic and also the dust from the mining in the air so we were fully equipped with full face mask and protective overalls. The mines take home 1000 Bolivianos a week which is about $140US a week, which is a really good wage considering the guys in the processing factory only make 1000 Bolivianos a month. But we must say that they really do work for their money.

While we were in the mines the group started climbing up this ladder I was one of the last and the chick in front of me slipped down but was stopped by the ladder so she freaked out and decided to wait at the bottom for us, so there I am giving it a go. I was crawling on my hands and knees on soft rubble with very little oxygen in the air and 4300m above sea level. Finally I reach the rest of the group huffing and puffing to find out we climbed up to visit some workers who work up there 5 days a week looking for silver. They chew on coca leave all day for the attitude and it also reduces there appétit. We have a bit of a chat and give them some gifts. They tell us they are putting dynamite in and are going to blow it after lunch. They don't have to tell anyone when and where they are going to blow they just do it and hope that there isno onee in a shaft above them. It was crazy,there'ss zero safety in there.

We climbed up one more shaft like this to visit some other miners but after this the girls and I were over it. So the guide walked us out and the boys continued on. The boys went up yet anther shaft where they met the boss of this section of the mine and ended up drinking a bottle of this great 98% alcohol mixed in juice and then setting dynamite off. Over all the girls were in the mine for about 2 hours and then waited outside for the boys for about another half hour to an hour. We were very ready to go home and now will not complain at any job I have to do cause we have it easy.

Not much else to do in Potosi so time to move onto La Paz. We bought our ticket from a travel agent in Potosi you just pay an extra $1 and they go and get it for you. We wanted this particular company which was 280 Bolivianos each. A bit pricey but a nicer bus and ride. So then we get the ticket back we could see they the ticket cost 280 Bolivianos but then when we get to the bus station the company said that someone had changed the 180 to 280. She hadbroughtt a cheaper ticket but charged us the same price for the ticket and just changed it on the ticket. We had no time to go back and complain so just had to deal with it. We were so angry,OKk its only $14 dollars but it just sucks being ripped off again.