Silver mine and carnaval

Hey all,

Today 11 of us got picked up for a tour of the Potosi Silver Mines. Potosi is famous for its mines and they are the driving force behind the economy here. I was still feeling awful this morning, so I was a bit out of it. Doing a bit better now though. 

Our guide was really funny and took us first to get our protective gear. After donning pants, a jacket (which we had to tuck into the pants!), a belt, helmet and gumboots, I was looking the best I ever have in my life. Hahaha. Wait 'til you see the photos. Then we went and had a quick tour around the refinery and saw zinc and silver being processed. They also mine lead and tin. 

Next we went to the mines. Our guide told us that only men work in the mines because they don't want to upset Pachamama (Mother Earth) by having women in the mines. I don't think any women would want to to be honest. It was nothing like the spacious and clean mines we went to in Poland! It was dark, dank, very confined and muddy and wet. I hit my head a lot, had trouble breathing due to altitude and slipped at one point. So while it was interesting seeing what is considered the driving force behind this town, I'm very glad I'm not a minor and I was very glad to get out. The worst past was our last stop where there was an awful smell and then the guide lit a cigarette to make an offering to one of the mining gods (they make offerings a lot here). The smoke topped it off and I had to move away!!

We got out and went back to the hotel. Our main tour guide, Rodrigo, suggested we then go and have a look at the carnaval that is going on today and yesterday. The carnaval is to celebrate the miners, normally on the mine tour miners would've been working, but today they are all at the carnaval. Some parts of the carnaval are really nice and friendly such as the marching band and music and people celebrating. The not so friendly part is the people in the street piffing water bombs and spraying you with foam and water from water guns. 

So what did I decide to do given that I felt disgusting all morning? Avoid said people and sit in a cafe? No! I decided to go with the two Swiss girls and our guide right into the heart of the craziness. Which was going fine at first, I got sprayed a bit (see first photo of me with some foam on my face!) and it was all fun and games. We bought some foam ourselves and sprayed back. But then we got to the main square and it turned nasty. I was at the back of the four of us and all of a sudden I was hit by a barrage of about 8 water bombs in the head and back. I put my arms over my head to protect myself but that made it worse. From what I remember 4-5 people descended on me, pulled my hair and in the process pulled out my earring (crappy $2 one off eBay - phew!). Next thing I knew someone was grabbing my camera. Thank you thank you thank you Dad for telling me off my entire childhood when I didn't wrap the band around my wrist. Even though I had brought the crappy $100 waterproof one and not my decent one, it would have been awful to lose my memory card! They pulled my camera but it caught on my wrist and I managed to bash said potential thief in the head hard enough that he let go and I ran as fast as I possibly could. The water bombs kept coming but I had my camera clutched safely in my front. Rodrigo ran us around the corner to a cafe that the others were at and while Sarah and Serena got sprayed some more out the front I hid behind a banner! 

Once we got inside the cafe I realised the earring was gone, I was covered in water bombs and absolutely saturated. And now that the day has gone on I've also discovered some scratches and bruises! But I'm ok all, promise! At the end of the day it could've been a lot worse. It's another good story to tell and all that was lost was a $2 earring. All is ok! Lucky Rodrigo was with us. 

We went to the supermarket and bought some snacks for the next couple of days. Having another chilled out night in tonight, cup noodles and a movie. We don't really want to walk around too much because all the crazies out there will be drunk later!! Anne has just come into our room and said that on the way to the market three guys restrained her against a wall and sprayed foam in her face. Night in it is! 

Tomorrow we head to Uyuni before we start our journey to the salt flats. 

Lots of love to all

Claire

Xoxox