Blockades

    I take a truffi every day to my job on the southside of Cochabamba. If there is not much traffic, I can get there as quickly as 20-25 minutes.  On average it take about 30-40 minutes to get there and home.  However if it is market day (Wednesday) or if there is a blockade it takes a lot longer.   Monday, was the longest it ever has taken me.  There was three blockades and we hit a motorcycle in the chaos.  It took one hour and 15 minutes.  It was a long day because of the travel and the fact that I got to work so late that I didn't get to eat lunch. 
     Now, a truffi is like a mini van or bus that can hold the
average of nine people.  We pay about two Boliviano (15 cents) to travel.  Truffi have a set route, so you should be able to estimate the time it takes to get where you are going.  I take truffi 110 to work and Truffi 109 home to avoid the Cancha.  To go through the cancha adds a lot of time to your travel.  I also have the option of the bus J, but the bus moves a lot slower and holds a lot more people, so the risk of items being stolen increases.
   A blockade normally is like a civil protest. They use cones or motorcycles to block portions of roads, so you have to find alternative routes.  The purpose is to be an annoyance, so that they will be heard.  Guns, are not allowed here so violence is extremely rare. I personally, have never seen any violence at all.  This week, on the other side of town where the school is that most of the missionaries work at, we have had a slightly different type of blockade.  It was between Pil and the workers.  They let people know what they were going to do, so the school was closed for three days.  The worst thing that happened is that they threw tear gas.  I have now learned that cigarette smoke or a candle helps with the pain that tear gas causes. 
     I am so blessed to live in such a safe place. I believe that if this type of thing was allowed in the States, that it would lead to violence.  I never realized what a violent nation we are.   At the same time, I believe in the right to bear arms.  I just believe that it needs to be stricter.

² And he said:^[a]

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
³ The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
⁴ I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:2-4