An escape to nature: Santiago de Chiquitos

Friday afternoon we (my SALTers, my friend Delicia and I) finally managed to escape the city of Santa Cruz for more tranquil tierra in Santiago de Chiquitos - a mere 12 hour train ride away. Unfortunately half the group wasn't feeling so good before setting out and so one stayed behind, but those who went were able to enjoy a relaxing weekend away from the noise and pollution of the city.


This is the gorgeous view out to the "Escuelita" - a remodeled school house that now serves as the little hotel where we stayed for the weekend.


For a country girl, Santiago has twice been my oasis from the static of the city. Oh, yes cows and chickens. Home, home on the range! Nothing like the smell of fresh country air and the feel of red dirt under foot!

The life cycle, from adorable little chick to fried chicken for lunch....but they sure are cute!

Saturday we carried our tired, train weary bodies up the "Cerro" - a good 2 hour hike up a rocky terrain, overlooking the valley.

With each passing day I become more convinced that human beings were not intended to be isolated from nature. The work of God's genius is life giving, enriching our existence and our experience of the world itself. (From left to right: Caleb Detweiler, Sithabile Ndlovu, Peter Wigginton, Heidi Banman, Kathleen Vitt, and Toni Hiebert).

The weekend ended on a good, but sad note; we left behind Peter - our SALTer who is working with the Youth Orchestra in Santiago. The rest of us made it safely back to the city without incident - except me getting stung by a "peto" (a vicious little bee) and my hand then swelling up like a pumpkin - but nothing a little red mud can't heal!