Trip of a Lifetime

I had firmly decided that I was not going to go to Bolivia, especially since little Raylee had arrived. Apparently, I wasn't that firm because after an attempt to get airline refunds and much persuasion from my hubby, family and friends I decided that I would go ahead and venture with my family to Bolivia. It was a really hard decision, but now that I have returned and things are somewhat back to normal, I am so very, very glad I went. So, on August 1st I left these two adorable kiddos and headed to Bolivia, South America.




Day 1-Aug 1st
We boarded the plane in Phoenix and made a few stops on our way to Bolivia. First it was Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas then Miama, Florida then to LaPaz, Bolivia, and finally we de-planed in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
Here's the fam in the Dallas/Ft Worth Airport



Day 2-Aug 2nd
After 25 hours of traveling we were exhausted and excited to see that the Santa Cruz airport had chairs with no arm rests, so we could take a little nap before boarding our final plane to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Here is my mom lounging out in the Santa Cruz airport. We were so close to seeing Justin at this point, that even though all the rest of us were sleeping, my mom was just to excited to sleep.

Finally, we boarded the plane to Cochabamba and lucky us, got to sit first class. Even though it was only a 50 minute flight they served us a full meal...now that's the way to travel. The Bolivian airlines' also give every passenger a little baggie with yummy little pastries in them. I'm telling you, the Bolivians really know how to treat you right.
We landed in Cochabamba and walked off the plane to the landing strip. At the top of the Cochabamba airport they have a glass baracade for people waiting to stand and wave to those getting off the plane. Justin and his companion were frantically waving, crying, etc. when we got off. It was so fun to see him right away...kind of like old times.
Here we are after two whole years of being apart...Our family is together again.


After the airport we went to the home of the Ayviri family, who we stayed with the whole 5 days we were in Cochabamba. We also attended Justin's last baptism of his mission. After the baptism, Justin had one last meeting with his Mission Pres and other missionaries, so we enjoyed a fun evening with the Ayviri Family. They took us to this hill that overlooks Cochabamba where this gigantic Christus statue is. It was amazing and the view of the city was beautiful.



After looking at the Christus we took a ride down the mountain in this enclosed "ski lift"...it was so fun to overlook the bright city.

We ended the evening with a fun game of Wallyball...the Tindall vs the Ayviri family. We had a blast and my knees were bruised the rest of the trip.


Day 3-Aug 3rd
Sunday we attended two sacrament meetings, so we could meet many of the ward members Justin loved so much.
Here is Justin and I standing outside one of the church buildings in Cochabamba. No matter where you go in the world the gospel is true.


That evening we ate dinner with our friend Evelyn's family, the Parrilla's. Evelyn, her husband Gonzalo and their little girl Victoria live with my parents, so we were excited to visit their country, home and families.

The fruit in Boliva was amazing. This is a picture of chiri moya...super sweet and yummy. I was a little worried about eating in Bolivia, but I loved everything we ate. I probably gained weight on my trip, instead of losing like I thought I would.



Day 4-Aug 4th
Monday morning we visited with a family Justin knew and then headed to breakfast. We ate at a little place that makes Saltenas. They are baked bread, kind of like a pita pocket, that is stuffed with sweet chicken, potatoes, veggies and sauce...it was so yummy. I also love the fruit juice there. It is completely all natural fruit and tastes like it was just squeezed. My favorite was a fruit called Maracuya...so delicious. I wish we could find them here in the U.S.

Here we are in front of the center plaza in the midddle of Cochabamba. It is winter in Bolivia right now and the weather in Cochabamba couldn't have been more perfect. It felt a lot like my parents home in Pinetop in the summertime.


We spent the rest of the day shopping in the market place. We did a lot of bargaining and came home with some great souvenirs. Bolivian money is called Bolivianos and 7 Bolivianos make up $1 here in the U.S. I do have to say that the driving in Bolivia is absolutely crazy and they don't wear seatbelts, honk all the time, red lights are just a "suggestion" and babies ride in the laps of their moms and dads because there is no law against it; plus carseats don't even exist down there. It was a little scary at times, but by the end of the trip we were getting pretty used to it.


Monday night we had FHE over at one of the member's house. Many families gather together each Monday and share a lesson. One of the sisters spoke about charity and then we bore our testimonies. It was a very special and spiritual experience.
This was a sign that posted in the home when we walked in. I have never met more loving, kind and giving people in all my life. They hadn't even met us before and they showered us with hugs, kisses and so much generosity. Every person we met on our trip was truly the example of the pure love of Christ.






We played this little dance game that was similar to musical chairs. Everyone grabs a partner and someone has a broom. If the broom hits the ground, everyone has to find a new partner and if you are the one left without a partner then you have to dance with the broom.

Here we are having a little dance party after FHE. The guy I am dancing with was from Argentina and since we both couldn't understand each other I decided to call him "COCA COLA". He named me "FANTA". It was hilarious.

Even though I was desperately missing my babies, I loved all the cute little Bolivian kids.

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The little kids presented my mom, sis and I with a bouquet of flowers...so kind.


Here is Justin with one of his most recent converts, Nelson, who is 17. He is the one in the yellow sweatshirt and was so happy and loving the gospel.


Day 5-Aug 5th
Tuesday we ate a very traditional Bolivian breakfast of pastel, api and this delicous corn drink. Pastel is kind of like indian fry bread, but it is stuffed with cheese and then you dip it in this red juice called api.

Tuesday evening we had the opportunity to do sealings and a session in the Cochabamba Temple. It was so beautiful and peaceful there.




Day 6-Aug 6th
Wednesday was Bolivia's Independence Day, so the Ayviri Family decided to get us out of the city and took us 4 hours away to the jungle. It was hot, humid and so much fun.

This is the bus we took to get to the jungle. It was the bumpiest ride I have ever been on.








Here we are deep in the jungle where there are cascading waterfalls. Since it is winter time the waterfalls aren't as big as they are in the summer, but still very cool.

After making our way through the jungle we went to "monkey land". Monkeys were everywhere and would come sit on your lap, jump on your back or pick through your hair. We were told we shouldn't take anything in to the jungle because the monkeys were trained to steal. The only way they wouldn't take your stuff is if you had bought a special tag for your items. I made sure that I bought a tag for my camera.



In the jungle, we went to this swing park. It is full of wood bridges and these high platforms that you swing off of. The farther in to the park you go the higher the swings get. It was so scary, but I was determined to ride each swing. The very last swing is 18 meters high and you have to climb this wood ladder to get to the top. My whole body was shaking, but I made it safe and sound and screamed as I swung all the way down. This is a pic of me on the shortest swing...not too scary at this point.


Day 7-Aug 7th
Thursday we said goodbye to the Ayiviri family and to Cochabamba and boarded a plane for Sucre, Bolivia. Sucre is known as the "Paris of Bolivia" and it was gorgeous. Gonzalo's dad, Enrique Cabazas, was our tour guide and took us to all the great sites of the city.








We got to visit some families that Justin knew and taught. The old man on the left was Justin's oldest convert. He was 85 when he got baptized. They were all so sweet and kind. As a family, they sell cake, so we got to try some...very good.

That evening we spent time and had dinner with Enrique's sister, husband, daughter and grandson. They had a beautfiul home and we had so much fun getting to know them.


Day 8-Aug 8th
Friday, Enrique drove us to Potosi, which is the highest functioning city in the world. It sits at 15,827 feet above sea level. It was so, so, so cold there and is like that all year round. I don't know how anyone could live there. I wasn't feeling too good that day, so I spent most of the time lying down in the car.



That evening we went with Enrique and his sister's family to a dance festival, which reminded me a lot of indian tribal dances. It was a fantastic show and at the end the dancers grabbed a few of us on stage and we got to dance with them...so fun.

Day 9-Aug 9th
Saturday we said goodby to Sucre and boarded the plane for La Paz, Bolivia. This is the capital of Bolivia and the home of Enrique and his family.

Here we are soaking up the sun at the airport in Sucre.


When we got to La Paz we drove to Lake Titicaca. It was the most beautiful and biggest lake I have ever seen. At one point you literally could not see to the other side...amazing. I know Brett would have loved it.





Day 10- Aug 10th
Sunday was very low key for us. It was Bolivia's election day and nothing was open and no one was allowed to drive or anything. Even church was not allowed to be held. This was a big election for many of the Bolivian people because they were trying to overthrow the current President, Evo. We hung out with the Cabazas all day and held our own little sacrament.

This is us with the wonderful Cabezas family.

This is La Paz. It kinds of looks like this huge bowl of a city. The city literally sits at the bottom of the encircled mountains...so beautiful.




Day 11- Aug 11th
On Monday we drove to the Ruins of Tiwanaku. It is an ancient city dating back to around 1500BC. It was really cool to see such an historic area.













Day 12-Aug 12th
Finally, after a fun filled and exhausting time in Bolivia we finally traveled 27 hours back to Mesa, AZ...home sweet home. I am so thankful for such a wondeful hubby, father/mother-in-law, sister-in-laws, and friends for making this trip possible. I am so grateful for the experience and memories that were made on this trip. Visiting another country sure makes you appreciate all the many blessings you have. I can't wait for Brett and I to serve a mission together someday!!

I turned around to find Bradock helping unload my luggage...I sure missed this guy.