Cochabamba in Summary

Hola everyone! We have now spent two months in Bolivia and it has been an amazing experience!We have thoroughly enjoyed our six weeks here in Cochabamba, spent in adventure, relaxation, and time with family. You know all about the adventures and activities the Locklins have had from time to time, but you might be wondering, "How was it like just living in a different culture day to day, speaking Spanish all the time?"

At first, speaking in Spanish all the time was a bit trying for us kids, because, as you know, different countries have different ways of speaking Spanish. Back at home, we never spoke Spanish very often. When we kids did, we had the same slow, clear Spanish accent, contrasting with the quickly slurred accent in Bolivia. Even though we spoke correctly (most of the time), we still stood out because of our accent. On top of that, there are native languages here like Quechua and Aymara that we didn't understand! We also stood out because we didn't know how to do things the way they're supposed to be done in Bolivia. In the States, certain things are done a certain way too, like celebrating the Fourth of July, driving on the highway, or mowing your lawn. Well, August 6th (Bolivia's Independence Day) was celebrated with school and military parades, not with BBQ's or fireworks, highways as you imagine them don't exist, and most places are so dusty and dry, that there's hardly any grass to mow anyway! Yes, the Locklin kids definitely stood out :)

Fast forward eight weeks, and even though we're still here, things have changed.
Our Spanish is more fluent, and we understand people here better, as well as their culture. Waking up and walking alongside dusty streets, spray-painted walls, and brick buildings crowded together, with rocky roads winding into far off snow-topped cliffs and mountains is definitely different, but also uniquely beautiful, and special. If this trip has taught me anything, it's to wonder at nature's diversity, and to open my eyes to different kinds of beauty. We still get our grammar mixed up, still make mistakes, and still miss home; but we also love everything God teaches us through Bolivia. (More on that in another post!)

Other than language, our experience in Cochabamba has included food transportation, music, and family. In a couple hours we will be leaving Cochabamba and flying to another region of Bolivia, Potosi. We will spend five days there, touring its famous salt flat and other touristic areas. We look forward to touring more of Potosi, and going back home, but will miss the city of Cochabamba!

Views of Cochabamba; my grandmother lives close

to this lake, called the Lalay Lagoon. 

And this is from where we took the pics above.

 The statue is called  Christ of the Concordia. 

Like the Statue of Liberty, it overlooks the city

 and you can climb it from inside!

Thanks for reading. Adios for now!