So the mine tour was really interesting. We went up and had to get dressed up in wellies and overalls and hardhats before we went in. It was quite harrowing to go there, theres no money left in mining now the silvers all gone, they only mine for minerals now. People can start working in the mine from 12 years old and generally only live 10 years or so after they start working there because of the dust in the air. They can start off by earning about 30 bolivianos a day for a 12 hour shift (about 3pounds) and can go up to 100 a day (10pounds) for the really difficult and dangerous work deep in the mines where the temperatures can reach anything between 35 and 42 degrees C. Anyway, we went into the mines, armed with some goody bags for the miners of coca leaves (theyre supposed to help altitude sickness and keep energy levels up), crackers, dynamite (for the mines - they have to buy their own) and some very potent alcohol of 96% proof (most of the alcohol gets sprinkled on some statues of pacha mama (mother earth) to help protect them in the mine, and a devil with a very big willy who is something to do with production...)
As we went on a Sunday, there werent many miners working, just a couple of lads, a 14 year old and a 17 year old. The 17 year old was drilling a hole into the wall to put some dynamite in so we gave him a pack and of goodies so he could blow the rock up. We were still in the mine when the dynamite went off which was a bit scary! You felt it go right through your chest.
The next day we got the bus to Sucre. I think this is one of my favourite places Ive visited so far, it was a lovely city. Its the historical capital of Bolivia and all the buildings in the centre are whitewashed every year. Its really pretty and colonial and is set in a bit of a valley so the city spreads up the hill as well. The first afternoon, we went up a hill to this really nice restaurant and sat out on the terrace overlooking Sucre -very relaxing! They had lovely salads which was great as i was craving some vegetables and delicious juices - mmmmm... Then we all had to go shopping as we had decided that the next evening we would all go out in fancy dress so we had to go hunting for makeshift costumes. I decided Id steal Katy´s halloween idea and go as a cat so I found an alice band, cut some ears out of a toothpaste tube and bought some pop socks for a tail - simple!
The next day I had a look around Sucre, there are loads of nice buildings, little squares and interesting shops to poke about in. At midday some of us got onboard the ´Dinobus´ to go and see the dinosaur footprints. The dinosaur bus was excellent - it was an open air truck with tinsel on it and a dinosaur head poking out of the front! So we went and had a look at this rock thats vertical with lots of footprints in it that was discovered by a cement factory a few years ago. The rock used to be a swamp and fossilised the footprints over time and then got moved vertical when the Andes were formed. You couldnt get up too close but you could see them and the museum had some casts of the footprints so you could get a much better idea of the scale of the dinosaurs. Then after that we went on a tour of the city, to bits we wouldnt necessarily have seen by looking round ourselves which was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
In the evening was the fancy dress party and everyone made a real effort and looked great and we got lots of wierd looks walking to the pub but it was fun. Unfortunately, as it was a tuesday, the club shut at 1.30 and nowhere else was open so the evening finished earlier than we would have liked but it was still great fun.
The next day was 6th Jan and a national holiday in Bolivia. There was a parade on which we went to watch. It went from church to church around the city with music, dancing and the three kings on the back of a car throwing sweets to everyone along the way (I think this day is the day the 3 kings came to the stable... but I may be wrong!!). It was really colourful and Im glad we managed to go and see it. At the church we were standing by, everyone was carrying dolls in boxes and taking them into church. I think everyone here must have their own nativity scene in their houses and bring the baby Jesus to church to be blessed. They came in all shapes and sizes, on cushions, in cardboard boxes, in carry cots and even a baby stroller. but it was really nice to see, I nice tradition I thought.
The next day we went to do some voluntary work at an orphanage. It was really interesting and saddening to hear about the situation they were in. Aparantly, our tour guide had been trying to get into this orphanage for ages but they dont allow visitors because the government is supposed to provide money for the orphanage, but the proper amount never gets filtered through to them and they dont want people to see the bad conditions. The boys were all really friendly and loved being picked up and swung around by the lads in the group, but they had holes in their clothes and smelt of wee and some had wet trousers. The orphanage was for boys aged 5-17 and we painted a room for them, as well as buy them some food, some footballs and a pinata with lots of goodies in it for some birthdays coming up at the end of the month. After seeing them, I wish we had been able to buy some more clothes for them too. The paining was really good fun and we did a light blue room with one multi coloured wall, then we all put our handprints on the wall and wrote who we were and where we were from and then all the kids at the orphanage did the same as well. It looked relly jolly by the end of it adn was a great day. Then we rewarded ourselves by going back to the lovely cafe with the nice view accross sucre and having a sandwich and a pancace filled with ice cream - yum!
Then we caught the night bus to La Paz and got there this morning which is where I am now. We were all shattered this morning when we got to the hotel at 7.00. we went and had a kip and a shower for a couple of hours and then all headed out to breakfast. We found an english place and had a nice fry up which was just what was needed!! The service for food in Bolivia, especially with such large groups, generally takes 2 - 3 hours to get served so that took us nicely up to lunchtime. Then I had a look round the old town and sat in the main square and people watched for a while. The traditional dress of bolivia is worn quite a lot by the women. They have these tiny bowler hats on their heads that look far too small for their heads, and we sat wondering how they get them to stay on! Then we had a wander round some of the markets, saw a few stalls from the witches market with dried llama foetuses along with other things - nice.
Tomorrow we´re cycling down death road which Im really looking forward to. Hopefully this wont be my last post...
No comments:
Post a Comment