Villa Tunari, 4th of July, Samaipata and Valle Grande

Hello family and friends, I hope you are all well and are enjoying your summer. Here in Yapacani we are in the dead of winter but you wouldn´t think it because it is still sunny and in the low 80´s. The schools have been out for the last two weeks on their winter break, so Chris and I have had some time off.
Back at the end of May, Chris and I went on retreat to Villa Tunari to relax for a couple of days and reflect on our missionary experience thus far. In the mornings and evenings we did some spiritual exercises and during the day we explored some of the national parks in the area. Villa Tunari is about a 2.5 hour drive from Yapacani going toward Cochabamba. It is lush and green and still considered to be in the tropical zone before starting the ascent into the mountainous region of Cochabamba. While we were there we visited 3 parks; Carrasco, Machia and La Jungla. In Parque Machia we saw a ton of monkeys and other wildlife on our hike up to the top of the hill in the park which afforded amazing views of the town and surrounding area. In La Jungla we saw more monkeys and plenty of birds on our walk to the river. We were also able to go on a zip-line and ride a swing that plummets 30 ft. into the park. Carrasco, part of the larger Parque Nacional Amboro, was my favorite of the 3 parks. Situated about 12 miles outside of Villa Tunari, Carrasco; has caves, a variety of flora and abundant wildlife. The main attractions in this park are its caves that house different bat species including the vampire bat and the rare nocturnal guáchero, or oil bird. I had tried back in 2007 to see the guáchero when I was in Venezuela but never made it to the caves where they lived. This time I was able to see and hear this fascinating bird which uses its loud shrieks and small feathers near its beak as part of echo location while flying around the pitch dark cave in which it lives. We both had a nice reflective and relaxing time in Villa Tunari.
Most recently Chris and I hosted a 4th of July bash here in Yapacani for all of the SLM´S. The majority of the Salesian Lay Missioners were able to attend even coming down from as far as Cochabamba. I made my mom´s potato salad and macaroni salad. We also served hamburgers, sausages, baked beans and Chris and I made a pan of delicious chocolate brownies with macadamia nuts. I enjoyed the time with great food and great friends! For most of us it was the first time being all together again since leaving orientation in August of last year.
Before our winter break ended Chris and I decided to take a couple of days and go to Samaipata and Valle Grande for some R & R. In Samaipata we went hiking in Las Cuevas, a touristy spot with trails and waterfalls. We were able to brave the cold water and stand under some of the falls. Both Samaipata(5,500ft.) and Valle Grande(6,700ft.) are higher in elevation than Santa Cruz, so with drier air and lower temperatures it made it nice for sleeping. In Valle Grande we visited the place where Che Guevara was killed by the Bolivian Army in 1967. The famous Argentinian guerrilla fighter who fought alongside Fidel Castro in Cuba met his demise in Valle Grande. They have constructed a mausoleum near the airport and you can also visit the ¨Lavandería¨ at the back of the local hospital, where his body was laid out for viewing after his death. Besides talking with locals and learning more about this revolutionary icon, Chris and I ate at the Mirador Restaurant which overlooks all of Valle Grande and we hiked up to the Cristo Blanco, which oversees and protects the entrance to the town. Samaipata and Valle Grande were exactly what we needed to relax and recharge our batteries for the coming weeks when school is back in session.
I will be heading to Peru at the end of this month to try and get a visa to stay in Bolivia. Hopefully I can secure a more permanent visa than my current tourist one and get back to Bolivia to continue the good work that the Salesians are doing here in Yapacani.

God bless you all!!