Potosi, Bolivia

It seems as though we are visiting the Guiness Book of World Records during our backpacking honeymoon. We are currently in Potosi, highest city in the world. Before that we visited Lake Titicaca, the highest fresh water lake in the world. And inbetween we went to - well depending on your viewpiont - the folklore carnival capital of Latin America - Oruro. We only got a taste of carnival as groups were practicing their dances in the street, both with and without costumes, and we took a stroll down carnival mask-making lane. It was pretty incredible.

We are heading to the capital of Bolivia later today, Sucre, to take a break from all this chilly weather (yes, I realize in Minnesota you are probably a little cooler than us). We took an eye opening tour of the working silver and zinc mine that has made Potosi famous. We geared up in mining gear and headed deep into the mine canals. We chewed coca leaves and drank pure alcohol with the miners while listening to their stories. And, a Bolivia mine is not complete without the famous TIO: A devil that accepts coca, tobacco and alcohol treats in exchange for safety and good luck on the job. We sat with the devil for awhile beforing our 3 hour mine walk. We gave him coca leaves and alcohol and had a little ritual that therefore aided us in having a safe mine tour.

Bolivia is amazing, so unlike Peru in many ways and similiar in others. The honeymoon adventure continues....