Cochabambamanta

To get away from the heat we boarded a plane for Cochabamba, the first city where I lived and the city where Daniel lived for about 10 years. We stayed with Tia Rita, Esther's sister and they enjoyed the opportunity to talk for hours and hours. We reconnected with many friends, some that we hadn't seen for 30 and 20 years. We thoroughly enjoyed a drive around the city by a young taxista that was obviously very proud of the progress that Cochabamba has made. A lovely city, that boasts of many well manacured parks and good roads and highways weaving though both the old and new sections of the 'small' town.
Our trip was too short to see eveyone we wanted to see and enjoy the cooler weather. As we arrived back in Santa Cruz, the hot, humid air like a damp blanket wrapped itself around us. But we plan to return as soon as possible.
The young church that we helped found back in the days when we were first married has continued. Most of us were univsersity students (Daniel was still in college) and now we are all professional - lawyers, doctors, dentists, etc. It was a joy as our dear friend, Toribio, took us to see the site where they are building a three-story building.. The church will have medical, dental, and counselling offices as well as a sanctuary and room for youth activities. They hope to have part of the building finished enough to use in March and we plan to attend the opening services.
On another note - Daniel met with his cousin Gerardo in Cochabamba and they are in the process of deciding whether it will be feasible for Daniel to open an office here in Santa Cruz for his business of installing automatic doors and gates. The market seems wide open here in Santa Cruz. Goodbye retirement?? A new challenge to consider and we'll see what happens.