Carnaval and Mizque Adventures!

It’s busy here in Cochabamba—we have a team from the Embassy Church in Waterloo, Canada; it’s Carnaval, a huge, fun celebration; and life is still bringing surprises and stress. Hopefully, I will officially be done with the apartment stress this week or early next week, which will be a huge relief. But, despite all the drama, Carnaval and an amazing trip to Mizque took my mind off everything.

Carnaval, which is a huge celebration and holiday in Bolivia, was an absolute blast. Last Saturday, we celebrated with the girls. The team and I were ambushed with water jugs, water balloons, and buckets of water. Despite the extreme wetness, it was so much fun! Even the little ones got involved.

Sunday we left for Mizque super early. Although I have been to Mizque and a few of the communities before, I have never been during Carnaval, which was a completely different experience, nor have I made the trip with some of the girls, which made it even better. Before arriving in Mizque, we stopped at Inkallajta, the Incan ruins in the Cochabmba region. It was the first time the girls had seen the ruins and learned the history.

Just getting to the ruins, however, was quite an adventure! We drove up in taxis, but because of all the recent rain that has filled the rivers, we couldn’t pass in the cars. So, some brave ones scaled tree trunks to the other side, and others of us crossed the rushing, very full river. It was definitely an experience I will always remember! Once we hiked up to the ruins, it was absolutely beautiful—blue skies, huge clouds, and vivid colors! We visited this beautiful waterfall, which a few of the girls climbed right into. They truly are quite the adventurers!

After the ruins, we were Mizque bound, and arrived just in time for dinner. After dinner, we played Cacho, a Bolivia dice game. Cacho is a drinking game, but because the girls were present, it turned into a whole new game of acting out animals and people.

We were up early the next morning to head to a new community, Quebras, about an hour outside of the town. But, before heading off, we armed ourselves with water guns, water balloons, and buckets of water since we were making the drive in the back of a garbage truck. Honestly, it was one of the most fun things I have ever done—hanging out of a garbage truck screaming, throwing water balloons, and shooting water at people and cars.

Once we arrived in Quebras, we quickly got to work. They kids from the wawawasi, which means baby home in Quechua, danced and sang for us. The kids in the communities we visit are absolutely beautiful. It does make me sad, however, that so many of the little ones have such sadness and defeat in their eyes—something no kid should know of at such a young age. After the presentation, we played games with them, painted their faces, and passed out the items we brought to outfit the wawawasi. The community was very thankful, and invited us to eat and enjoy time with them.

The ride back to Mizque was full of water balloons and laughter. We ate lunch, and then headed to the river to enjoy ice cream and time in the water. It was a little rougher than it appeared, but definitely wonderful to be in the water and playing with the girls. After a shower, we spent our free time together talking and chatting. But, this quickly turned into a dance competition—boys vs. girls. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time! It really is wonderful to see that you can use more than words to communicate. Although the girls and the team members don’t speak the same languages, they still were able to laugh and enjoy each other.

Tuesday, after breakfast and some free time in Mizque, we headed back to Cochabamba. Once back in the city, I took the older girls out to participate in the city-wide water fights. We had a blast, and definitely came home sopping wet.

I will miss the time spent with the girls the most. Although I love the boys and cherish the days I spend with them, I have a very different relationship with the girls. I have gotten to know many of them on a deep level, and have helped some of the older ones with boy troubles and “growing pains.” It really makes me sad to leave behind such wonderful girls, who have become my little sisters, my friends.

Another great trip to Mizque, especially because of the girls’ presence and company, and the wonderful visit to the community. These trips to small, extremely poor communities really open my eyes and make me thankful for all the blessings in my life. Celebrations and festivities like Carnaval make me realize how lucky I am to live in another country learning and living a new culture. But, it also makes me sad knowing I will not be here next year to throw water balloons from a garbage truck or run around the city with the girls laughing. Looking at the positive side, I at least have these wonderful memories, and can carry them with me forever.