While on holiday in Bolivia, we visited the Potosí Silver Mine, a place unlike any other

Unlike most mines that dig downwards, this one defies gravity; the miners dig up into the mountain

“There’s no entrance fee,” our guide explained. “You go bearing gifts.”

So off we went to the local market, it was your average market filled with fruit and souvenirs

But it also sold items tailored for the miners’ needs

We were instructed to buy three things: dynamite, coca leaves, and 98% proof alcohol

If you’re thinking this isn’t a trip endorsed by health and safety regulators, you’d be absolutely right

Travel has a way of exposing you to the harsh realities others face

The Potosí miners are a stark example

Many are recruited as children, often pre-teens, because their families are large and need every member contributing financially

To cope with the brutal conditions and long hours, miners begin chewing coca leaves at an early age

Over time, dependency builds, and they need to consume more to feel the same effect

They carry large bulges in their cheeks to store the leaves, like living reminders of the toll this work takes

The mine itself is chaotic and fragile

It’s not for the faint of heart

Fatalities are common

Despite the dangers, the miners welcomed our gifts with wide smiles

We didn’t stay for the dynamite demonstration

But the experience stayed with me

Whenever I’m having a bad day, I remember the miners of Potosí and I thank my lucky stars for the hand I was dealt in life

Photo borrowed from this site