Cochabamba

Our first impressions of Cochabamba. A moderately large modern city with everything that we need and more. We were welcomed by Pete, Linda and Finian Lugtigheid, with whom we had worked last year. We felt immediately at home with them again. They are living in a house that is rented by a missionary couple from England who are home on furlough --a time to recuperate and to visit their supporters. There are three bedrooms so we are able to stay with them. There is no need to feel sorry for us as far as living conditions. We have a proper bathroom complete with hot water (if you don't turn too much pressure on). We also have a clothes washer that does a great job. The clothes are hung out on the line and they dry in about an hour or two. There are lots of local veggies and fruit available through street vendors and outdoor markets as well as a Western type supermarket with much of what you would find at home. We are staying in a more wealthy part of town and someday we hope to see some of the rest.

We also have a house keeper that comes in three days a week. She cleans the house, takes care of Finian, and makes meals for the noon meal. That leaves us study time and relaxation time.

I can easily see why people choose to live here. Everything is available and the weather is wonderful. I am not sure of the exact temperature but it has not been unbearable. We have learned to be like the natives and be in the shade as much as possible. We are 7000 ft above sea level so the air is thinner and the skin burns more quickly even though you don't feel hot. The evenings cool off some but not to the stage when you need a sweater. We have walked to the phone booth to phone home and it was very pleasant. The streets are lined with large trees, many that we cannot identify. There are huge oleaders and hibiscus in full bloom. They provide wonderful shade when we walk. We won't say too much about the pruning job. Saying they prune is a misnomer, they chop and butcher. I can't help but think the Olds College could give a very much needed course here.

Phones and internet are readily available in the city. We have internet at the house and although it is broadband, it is about as speedy as dial up at home. From what I understand, you can get faster connections for more money. We also have a phone in the house but we don't use it much. It costs 1 boliviano (b) or about 15 cents to call home from the phone booth but 10 bs to call from the house. Most of phone booth phones are computer to phone types but they work very well. In the last few years three companies have come into Bolivia offering phone services so the competition has greatly improved both cost and access. We have Skype at the house but the slow connection does not lend well to phoning.

And then there is language school. The school is about a 25 minute walk from the house so we are getting our exercise. We could take the bus or a cab but we have preferred to walk this week. Each week there is a schedule posted telling us the hours we attend class. Since we are the new ones we have had a number of afternoon classes. Pete normally goes at 7:30 am and Linda goes at 9. The classes are one-to-one tutorials for a 45 minute hour. We are going 3 hours a day and that is enough for this week. Our textbook was published in 1969. We are expected to put in the same number of hours studying as we spend in class. I honestly think that we are both surpassing that number. Jake has very good pronunciation but is having difficulty with understanding while I understand but have difficulty with the pronunciation. Whether it is the French words and pronunciation sneaking in or if it is that I worked with tapes at home and learned the wrong sounds, I do not know. We are both glad to have finished the week although we also say that we are surprised that it went so fast.

So what do we do when we are not in school and not studying? We found a garden center, the only one in Bolivia, and bought some potting soil, hormones, and bags (pots) so that Jake could plant his cuttings that he got at ECHO. He is reading the stuff he bought at ECHO and enjoying playing with Finian. I spend my spare time reading and have already finished two books. We also go for walks and explore the neighbourhood. On Thursday night we attended an English Bible Study. Although our life does not have a frantic pace we do keep ourselves busy.

Things that surprise me about Cochabamba:
1. People wearing blue jeans or sweat pants when it is 30 degrees C.
2. The tree pruning
3. A very large Curves in downtown Cochabamba