Sucre and Potosi

After 3 days of the biggest water fight ever, we were ready to relax and walk down the street without being chased. So we left Oruro and went to Sucre. Little did we realize that Carnival lasted 2 more days and Sucre fully celebrated it as well.  So we laid low and armed ourselves with water balloons when we had to leave our hostel. After Carnival the city turned back to normal and we fully enjoyed this colonial town. We spent 5 days here taking Spanish lessons, walking around the market, and hanging out in the Parks. 

A view of the city from on top of a hill. Sucre is interesting because it does not having any natural resources like most the other cities in Bolivia. However, the Spanish settled here due to the great weather and proximity to the mines of Potosi.

Scenic colonial streets and buildings.

We spent at least a few hours everyday at the market. It was so interesting and entertaining. We mainly bought 1 to 2 fresh juices and some ingredients to make our own food. But everyday we would find something new that surprised us.

This lady was waiting in line next to us and a very interesting character. Her face had so much life to it and she was at least a foot shorter then me (Colleen).

Cow snout anyone? There is definitely no disconnection of what animals you are eating here. They also use all the parts.

Snouts not your thing? How about brain, intenstine, liver, stomache, lungs or kidneys? Take your pick!

There were also more pleasant things to look at and smell.

Yummy spices and salsas!

There were more fruits and vegetables than you could imagine! Boilivia grows a majority of its own produce and there is an abundance at low prices.

Can't forget the picante!

There were literally stands for everything! Chocolate to...

Shoes!

On our last day my spanish teacher invited us all over for lunch. She taught me how to make the only traditional Bolivian dish that is vegeterian.

A local Cholita (indeginous woman) making a beautiful wall hanging.

On our way to Potosi! This little boy didn't have a seat so we let him sit with us. At first he was just sitting on the edge of my seat with his feet in the aisle. Then he told his mom he was tired so she told him to sleep on me. So we let him snuggle between us for the ride. Luckily it was only a few hours.

Potosi is the town where the spanish found all the silver. They say this city was richer and bigger than Paris and London in its hay day. The silver from these mines underwrote Spains economy for multiple centuries. This was at a huge cost to the locals and slaves brought in form Africa. It is said over 8 million people have died in the mines. (The mountain in the background is where all the mines are)

Patrick and Adam decided to go on a tour of one of the mines with Wilson andAngel, Wislon was a miner for 17 years, now he is a tour guide.

Patrick and Adam bought the miners coca leaves, ciggarettes, alcohol and cola, a customary tradition when touring the mines. Here Adam is sharing a gift with the miners.  The mine still produces some silver and other minerals. It is owned by a co-op of miners. A good documentary about it is The Devils Miner. I highly recommend it!

In to the depths! On the tour they traveled over 2 km underground. (One of the main reasons I didn't want to go.) But they also got to see lots of amazing rocks and minerals!

Since the mines are underground the belief is that the devil controls them. The devil of the mines is called Tio. The miners worship Tio bringing him gifts and every mine has a statue of him. The name Tio came from the Spanish. When they were forcing the locals to work the mines they told them that god would punish them if they did not work. God in spanish is Dio but the local language did not have a D sound so they pronounced it Tio.

He looks like a natural.