Helen's Andean Adventure

Trip to the tropics (continued)

Wednesday
We went to a local agricultural coop in the morning to see if there is a possibility that PCI would buy some of the stuff they produce for our school breakfast program.Definitely important to mention that this area of Bolivia is famous for its coca plant production, and the US government has spent millions of dollars in the area to curb the coca plantations.Everywhere you looked, there was an USAID sign of another project, and the main road was nicer than some of the roads in DC.The coop we met with was one of the organizations that was initially supported by the USAID and since has become a successful producer of local grains and vegetables.
After this meeting we met with the town's mayor in his office to talk to him about what PCI does and ensure his continued support.He seemed very enthusiastic about making educational investment a priority.Needless to say, I was learning soo much during all these meetings, beginning to understand how hard development work really is.After visiting some more schools in the area and feasting on the best bananas and oranges Ive ever had, we embarked on our long journey back to Cochabamba.
Another interesting tidbit about Bolivia...roadblocks seem to be the answer to any problem.When we were leaving Cocha on Monday, we barely missed the beginning of a roadblock.When we were coming back from Chapare (the tropics), we were not sure if we would be able to get back to the city and were trying to figure out a way to get through (there is only one road from Chapare to Cocha).Praise the Lord, the roadblockade was lifted earlier that day, but it had created an enormous congestion of traffic (mostly trucks and buses).This, in addition to the thickest mountain fog I have ever witnessed, has made our trip last for 6 hours instead of the usual 4.
The best part though...we stopped by a national park for about 30 minutes and went to a monkey area.It was truly one of the best experiences of my life...the little monkeys could approach you, get on your shoulders, you could hold them and play with them...they were soo gentle and sweet, like little babies.The only thing is that they are pretty mischievous and almost took away my hat. There is a warning that you cannot have anything in your pockets or in your hands; the monkeys even know how to unzip the pockets.Still, they were amazingly cute and precious.

posted by HM @ 9:45 AM