Wednesday

Nearing the halfway point of our trip on Wednesday, we went to CEOLI today to continue our project and perform service for the school. To add depth to our project and more fully understand CEOLI and help the community, we worked today on painting and restoring the main entrance to CEOLI. By providing this activity for the school, we helped them with a needed project, bonded among ourselves and with CEOLI personnel, and had good fun. After another delicious Bolivian buffet for lunch, we headed out of Cochabamba to visit an Incan ruins archaeological site called Quillacolla. Taken through the site by noted Bolivian archaeologist David Pereira, the Incas used this site for storage of maize grown in this region. There are estimated to be remains of 2,000 silos on this picturesque hilltop with cool breezes that acted as a natural refridgerator, some of which have been replicated now. The views of the Bolivian countryside were spectacular from this location. On our way back to Cochabamba, we stopped to visit a ritualist who was a friend of David. She treated us to a blessing for good health, travels, and studies. Upon return to Cochabamba, we toured the downtown area of the city. A beautiful green space surrounded by incredible architecture, the town square was bustling with activity and people in the early evening. We closed off the night with dinner at a Chinese restaurant showing more of the influence of the other cultural groups on Cochabamba society. On Thursday, we will have an important presentation and conversation to discuss our findings, plans and recommendations for CEOLI in regards to our project.