Cochabamba.

As we drove back from the boy’s home yesterday evening, I saw it, emblazoned in 2 foot high letters.

Te quiero Cochabamba.
I love you Cochabamba.

And I heard it, or I felt it. God saying to me, “You know, I’ve had this planned.”

—-

6 years ago, just back from Bogotá for the first time. So in love with Latin America and it’s people, I googled furiously for foundations looking after children. And here was one, three homes, in a city in Bolivia. Kids looked cute.

Where even is Bolivia?

—-

3.5 years ago, planning my trip to Colombia, alone for the first time. I thought about Bolivia, going there too.

It wasn’t the time.

—-

2.5 years ago, heading to my favourite continent again. I look up flights to Bolivia, from Colombia to Bolivia.

Still not the time.

—-

2 years ago, Dad mentions a friend of his. He’s moved, from Colombia, down to Bolivia.

“Do you know where he is in Bolivia?”

“I can’t remember, weird name, sounds made up.”

“Cochabamba?”

Of course it is.

—-

2 years ago, in the Coffee Yard. Just days later.

And I don’t even know how it came up, but it did.

“My friend is going to Bolivia, can’t remember the name of the city though.” 

“It’s not Cochabamba, is it?”

I already knew the answer though.

—-

2 years ago, tea and toast in rainy Belfast. 

I talked about it, for the first time. How it turns out, we have links there. Someone who started in Colombia, moved down to Bolivia. How in a matter of weeks, it’s come up in conversation numerous times.

“Sounds like you need to go there.”

—-

1.5 years ago, Bolivia on my mind again as I plan my third solo trip to Bogotá. This time there’s a team coming out in a couple weeks.

Definitely not the time.

—-

1 year ago, late evening Bogotá with the younger brother, and a phrase I never thought I would hear leave his mouth.

“Do you think we could handle a gap year - together?”

—-

6 months ago, like a ringing in my ears. Cochabamba.

But Colombia, I knew it. So comfortable. Easy, almost.

Cochabamba. Cochabamba.

So we applied.

—-

3 months ago, in the pastor’s living room.

“You know your mum’s friend? She worked in Cochabamba you know.”

—-

1.5 months ago, waiting in the Bolivian Embassy. 

“I’m going to Cochabamba, you?”

“Same.”

—-

1.5 months ago, still in the Bolivian Embassy.

“I worked there, you know, while I was studying. Tell them I say hi!”

—-

1 month ago, last minute shopping spree.

“He’s going to Cochabamba as well I think.”

—-

1 week ago, sitting in Spanish School.

“Hi, Bolivian Embassy, right?”

—-

2 hours ago, eavesdropping on Dan’s skype call.

“Is she going to Cochabamba too?”

Of course she is.

—-

“You know, I’ve had this planned.”