Wednesday, December 10, 2008

down to the devil


most unique and shocking tourist experience ive ever had. hardly touristy aside from the outfits worn into time stuck mining of now enemic silver mountain where miners eek away at any mineral they can find in unbelievable horrific work conditions. beginning was sort of novel.. after a few hours.... disbelief they still mine this way literally pick an axe away sometimes 20 hours a day.... reminded of brute work fishing but nothing like atmosphere....... average miner dies just 10 years after starting work because of all the toxin inhale...and many start in their teens. in these pictures spots are all dust particles

went in holes that got smaller and smaller..at times lay crawling to the work zones...
could taste the dust instantly
they call it working in hell and as such have devil shrines in the shafts they give gifts to for good luck....cigarettes, coca leaves, alcohol, candy, and at one a lambs fetus...ya good luck miners let tourist in cause we bring them soda and coca leaves


i think i got the black lung....
and last..what would a mine visit be without blowing up some dynomite
only way i got this explosive shot was clinch jerk from the blast

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Absolutely unbelievable! That made me nervous as hell looking at those photos. And dang it....now I will think about those poor miners who die after only 10 yrs....for a long time. :(((( We here in the U.S. are so lucky!