Ethics Of Tourism: Mines Of Potosi Bolivia
| by Aracely on June 1st, 2024 | 7 Comments » | Bolivia, Reflections, South America
Cerro Rico, Potosi, Bolivia
When I first heard that in Potosi there are organized tours allowing visitors to see how miners work, my first reaction was “Why? What do tourists do there, take pictures?”
At first thought, to be very honest, I was sickened that people do this. Imagine a group of gringos who are dressed in protective clothing, rubber boots, helmets and headlamps, which by the way are all likely better than the equipment the real miners are wearing, coming into the mines to take pictures and then getting back on the bus to continue their travels. It sounds so wrong. And then I heard that people bring gifts for the miners, such as dynamite, cigarettes, and coca leaves. “Is this to make the tourist feel better?” I wondered. (more…)
