IN STEREO

For me the main place to explain many things is the mine. Walking into the mine, I tell the miners, “Hello,” “Good morning,” all those things. We talk to them for a few minutes, then we go into the mine. And always I tell [the tourists] that I'll take care of them, and I tell them, “We have to go fast in some places, watch your heads, watch your step.” Because there are many wagons in the mine. Very busy. Then we go to the place where the Uncle is [and I explain the ch’alla ritual]. For me the most important thing is respect: first for the mine, and for the miners. Also for me. On Fridays, mostly in the afternoon, when we go to the mine most of the miners are not working. Most of them are in their places, sharing and drinking. And I tell [the tourists that] it is only to say “Thank you” to the Uncle and to ask for no accidents. Some days I get cave-ins, rocks falling, [or] problems with the wagons. But thanks to that I learn, and I have to look and be more prepared. That's why I do the ch'alla as well. I ask the Uncle, “Please Uncle, no accidents for me, no problems.” And I ask for [the tourists] as well, to have a nice time in Potosí. I tell them, “If you don't want to drink, just hold it in the cup or glass, then splash.” There is no obligation for them to drink. Mostly it's for respect. Always for respect. Here in Potosí, a lot of people 'respect' the miners when they have money. But when the miners are not getting good money… [If] a poor miner is walking in the [city] centre, maybe going somewhere to eat, oh, people look at him with discrimination. And that's why I like [to see] respect for them, because thanks to them, Potosí is still alive; Bolivia is still alive. – Ronald