In this episode, Laura takes you on what might be her most bizarre adventure yet: venturing deep into a working silver mine in Potosi, Bolivia. Past a smoking shrine to the local god Tio, she descends into perforated rock with nothing but coca leaves and 192-proof alcohol to keep her nerves steady. This gritty story reveals the harsh realities of life inside the mine, including its history and the people who work there under dangerous conditions. Beyond Potosi, Laura explores Bolivia’s incredible landscapes—from the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni salt flats to the sacred waters of Lake Titicaca—and the cultural highlights of Sucre and the dizzying heights of La Paz. Adventure, history, and unforgettable experiences await in this eye-opening episode.

Want to help the children of Potosi? Please consider donating to the organization Amigos de Postosi.

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

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Buy any of these products that I fully stand behind- and I'll earn a commission.

Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/   Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.  

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.  

Buy sustainably produced coffee:  https://www.afueracoffee.com/  Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.  

Audio and Musical Credits:
Snorting cocaine by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/450622/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Track: "Mellow", Fenixprod  Music provided by https://slip.stream
public transport soliciting passengers.wav by Tito Lahaye -- https://freesound.org/s/78434/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
Piano Singularity by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cycling.m4a by Chilsville -- https://freesound.org/s/574119/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Wind Chimes (medium, 6 chimes) by iainmccurdy -- https://freesound.org/s/642325/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Epic Fantasy by Lite Saturation is licensed under a Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
orecart_move_1.wav by Amusquiz99 -- https://freesound.org/s/435711/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
89448__bkamuse__dangerous-mine-shaft_edited.mp3 by pbmzbr -- https://freesound.org/s/625296/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
blast mining edit.wav by WaveAdventurer -- https://freesound.org/s/127952/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
Track: "Triumphant Celebration"
Music provided by https://slip.stream

Support the show

Buy any of these products that I fully stand behind- and I'll earn a commission.

Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/ Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.

Buy sustainably produced coffee: https://www.afueracoffee.com/ Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.

(Musical credit for ad: Track: "De Manha"
Music provided by https://slipstreammusic.com)