Before leaving Potosi, we had to visit the mines and take a trip down to experience the worlds worse working conditions. Our guide was an ex miner who spent 3 years working down the mine before having an accident and escaping to go to school to learn English, he was excellent and v informative. We both came out of the mine hoping we never have to do that again, its certainly an experience you would not wish to repeat, but one we are glad to have done! The conditions are terrible, we scrambled down 3 levels in parts on hands and knees with shocking dust clouding your vision and making it very difficult to breathe. We had bandanas over our mouths but it did not make it any easier. It was hard work. We only saw one miner and his 13 yr old son mining, with mouths full of coca leaves to keep them going and doing everything by hand. Working for themselves, all hoping to get lucky and find that huge lump of silver. Kids starting so young and no health and safety regulations to be adheared to it really was a sad situation with the guys having a life expectancy of 40!! But back to the fun stuff, once back on the surface the miners gave us a demonstration with dynamite where we passed it round lit for photos like a game of hot potato, before they run away and dig it into the ground to explode! Where else in the world can you buy dynamite on the street?

So leaving Potosi for La Paz, we stayed in a great Irish Hostel, The Wild Rover where we even had duvets!! We had heard hype and scare mongering that La Paz was going to be crazy and unsafe as a referendum was taking place. but we did not once feel uncomfortable, its actually a really nice city with plenty to do and see. The main objective of our stay here was to cycle down the worlds most dangerous road. And wow arnt we glad we did. It was fantastic. 65kms downhill at speeds of upto 70kms per hr. With 1000mtrs of sheer cliff drop you dare not look down. Our guide winding us up with horror stories. We did have 2 people fall off in the first 5 mins on the tarmac and a serious accident where a guy degloved a finger so yep dangerous road. Great achievement to get to the bottom tho. Driving back up the road was also great fun to take in the views we missed on the way down, you actually felt more unsafe in the bus on the windy gravel track they call a road. Fantastic day, very professionally organised would recommend anyone to do.

Next day left La Paz to cross the border into Peru.