A sweeping trip across the country
In a week from South East to North West.
Having arrived from Buenos Aires
Though the day began in Mendoza
The wine country and closer
To the neighbouring Chile,
Yet, for reasons of International Travel.
With not many opportunities to move out
Without returning to Argentina’s central city.
Bolivia was a contrast in many ways
To begin with, the warm weather in Muyurina
Though cooler by the second afternoon,
With pleasant surprise of rains that fed happily
An Earth, in a region mostly into Agriculture
The University, which hosted, is all set to upgrade
Its Agricultural Teaching Courses alongside
Management and Technology for the citizens
Entering Salesian University of Bolivia for a reason.
A contract from long ago with the government
To provide education, continue to facilitate
A way forward in varied levels of support
A pleasant observation indeed for a foreigner
As Education to be healthy requires
The support of the government, especially
In payment of Salary and Infrastructure dues
Like Electricity and Approach Roads.
The inauguration of the new venture
Witnessed such a promise
Of collaboration from the Church
Authorities of Governance.
The short day gave a sense
Of a people in need of more
Education, rather than what they receive
And for the majority at a price
More affordable, and this seems
To be a priority even for the Salesians
Those who have ventured into some new pasture
Wanting to make a new mark in the country.
The arrival in Cochabamba
Offered a surprise as if a jewel
in the crown and a safely kept secret
A city beautiful in a flat land surrounded
By Mountains, and of ancient remnant
Of a volcano it was told, and people lived
It seems in some style.
However, the first impressions always give
Way to new discoveries, as every city
Hides some disparity that slowly emerges
As one moves to the peripheries.
Here again, the Salesian Campus
With sufficient facilities, it seemed
As located in one such periphery
Inner workings and dynamics unveiled
The need for a facelift, more than physical
From the Human Organisational side
To make the miracle happen of drawing
Learners who define the vibrant campus
The new Director and the potential students
Seemed hopeful and let luck go their way.