Internet--Finally!!!!

So sorry for the hiatus, we just now got internet here in Cocha.  We were supposed to get it on Monday, kinda how things work in Bolivia.  We missed communicating and updating the blog.

Now to the good stuff.  Cocha is beautiful, literally mountains all around.  The weather is perfect, around 70 and sunny every day we have been here.  The people are friendly, very willing to help and humble. They are also very curious about us, we get a lot of stares.  Not too many Americans here.  Gives us a great chance to tell them why we are here.  Unfortunately the pictures of the mountains don't do it justice.

We have gone out in service three days this week, very different.  You all meet on the corner of the territory and a brother sends groups out in different directions of the "manzanos" (blocks).  You  do figure eights until the entire territory is worked.  They meet in a different territory every morning and afternoon.  It usually takes about an hour and a half to finish a territory.  Very good support here.  In the morning we go out at 8:30 to 11:00 and then in the afternoon from 5:00 until dark, around 6:30.  In the middle of the day, lunch and siestas, my favorite.  Lunch is actually the biggest meal of the day.  Restaurants are always packed.  You can eat a really big lunch in a nice restaurant for about 3 dollars US (20 Bolivianos).  It's actually cheaper than groceries!

We walk quite a bit but we are learning the "public" transportation.  They have basically 3 types: Micro (small school bus), Trufi (van or hatch back car) and a taxi.  The Micro and Trufi have set routes, so you have to know which one you need.  The are designated by numbers and letters.  Very confusing, but kind of fun.  They can be packed with people.  Ricci was hanging out the door of one today.  They are very cheap.  You get on and pay the equivalent of 15-20 cents and you can ride for as long as you want (but it only has a set route).

We branched out on our first day and went to the market La Cancha.  Google it if you get a chance, one of the biggest in South America.  Very overwhelming, probably 25-30 city blocks with everything you could imagine.  A few pictures below but just a small sample. More later.

Thanks for all the comments and keep them coming. Sorry again for the delay, but when in Rome.....

Arriving at the airport

View out our door, not too shabby

First day preaching 

One of our first purchases, a must

A luxury but well worth it--washing machine

One of the many flowering trees we see everyday