Welcome to Cochabamba!

Welcome to my blog! Here I will keep you all updated with my adventures in Cochabamba.

Bolivia is the poorest country in South America and is located in the center of South America, Cochabamba is located in the center of Bolivia and some Cochabambinos (locals) would say Cochabamba is the heart of South America. The people of Cochabamba are very welcoming and loving, although most people have very little in regards to material things most want to give all  they have and show as much love as possible. Building relationships is very important to Cochabambinos and this is very obvious in the way that people treat you, the Love of the people has been at times over whelming and has made us feel very welcome. Weather in a home or on the streets sense of family and community is very important to Cochabambinos, which is humbling to see and experience especially because in England so many people are so independent and individualist. We could really learn a thing or two from this part of Cochabamba’s culture.

What I had imagined before arriving has been very different to the reality I have been presented with, I don’t think anything I could of imagined would have prepared me for the reality of this fascinating City….

Although Cochabamba is a city with a lot of struggle, poverty and deprivation, we’re staying in the North of the city which in parts is quite wealthy and very plea sent.  Surrounded by such picturesque views of the Andes  to the North and the Largest Statute in the world of Christ to the East its sometimes hard to believe in the same city there are people living in such desperate situations. The center and the South of Cochabamba is a very different picture to the north, although still surrounded by the fabulous views, the people live very differently.  As of yet I haven’t seen too much of these parts of the City, only just scratched the surface. From what I have seen the saying ‘living to survive’ springs to mind.

A high population of people are living and working on the streets trying to survive which ever way they can. Some sell food, crafts and locals good, others turn to a life of crime and drugs which can make some areas of the South very dangerous. This heartbreaking reality is not just for a minority of Cochabambinos but a shocking 4 generations are living in this way. From tiny babies who we’re born on the streets knowing no different all the way up to great grand parents. Living under bridges, in parks, on benches and in the open on the streets its difficult to try and understand the injustice in these people lives. As I said we have just scratched the surface, so far this is something we have just seen from a distance, I’m sure as me and my team continue on this journey we will discover more about this amazing city and its wonderful people.