Indonesian Volcano Adventure | Witnessing the Hard Labor of Sulfur Miners, When Tourism Changes Genuine Human Interactions.

This Indonesian volcano trip not only offered spectacular natural scenery but also gave us a glimpse into the hard labor of local sulfur miners. These workers carry up to 70 kilograms of sulfur daily, traversing rugged and steep mountain paths. The physical burden they bear is unimaginable. Despite their generally frail appearance, they have to engage in this highly challenging work for years, which evokes both admiration and sorrow. During our climb, we witnessed the process of sulfur extraction and production. We saw the miners digging, breaking, and carrying sulfur step by step. At the end of a long day, their wages were pitifully low. We tried to greet them kindly and take some photos to document our journey. However, shortly after we started taking pictures, one of the miners immediately gestured for money. We smiled and politely responded, "Sorry," but the miner's attitude changed instantly, showing obvious displeasure and even a hint of impatience and indifference. It can be said that tourism has indeed brought income to the area, but it has also changed the way people interact with each other. What used to be simple greetings are now equated with money, making one lament that when tourism becomes a part of livelihood, some of the most genuine interactions gradually lose their essence.