Blue Capsules Called Doves

Supplies traveled down the boreholes in blue plastic capsules about 1.5 meters long, called palomas, or doves. Each trip took an hour. First came a glucose solution and a drug to prevent ulcers caused by hunger; solid food followed a few days later. Soap and shampoo came down too, and dirty laundry went up. Relatives could send letters, but were asked to keep them optimistic.