Cristo de la Concordia
The gleaming white statue of
Christ was one of the first things I saw in Cochabamba. As my taxi turned onto Calle Mexico where I
was staying, I saw it in the distance. I
had to visit it my first day in the city!
The Cristo de la Concordia,
Christ of Peace, is made of concrete and steel and stands on the scrubby hill
of San Pedro, just east of Cochabamba.
It was modeled after Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, who is now the
shorter brother. Rio’s Christ is 125
feet tall; Cochabamba’s is 133. There is
one in Poland slightly higher. The arms
span 107 feet, creating the illusion of a cross. It is 9,300 feet above sea level, so it also
becomes the highest image of Christ in the world.
Nine thousand, three hundred
feet! I had just climbed San Sebastian
hill to view the Heroinas de la Coronilla.
My lungs were clear. So clear
there was no oxygen in them. I planned
ahead this week, knowing Cochabamba is at a high altitude. I had pills for altitude sickness with
me. But almost any medicine makes me
sleepy. I was beat after going up and
down La Coronilla. But I had to do this
one too.
I arrived at the cable cars only
to discover they were closed for repairs.
I could look at the hill and see I would not make it a tenth of the way
to the top. So I took a taxi. I have to confess I was irritated at this taxi
driver. He changed my rate three
times. First, it was 20 Bs. to make the
trip, there and back. At the top, he
said I misunderstood the price, it was 30 Bs.
On the way back, he said I had to pay 40 Bs. if I wanted to get down the
hill. I could walk if I wanted, but he
wasn’t leaving until I paid the 40.
On top of the world, where the
oxygen dares not go, it was cool, though the sun cooks you in a minute. I couldn’t breathe. I don’t think my heart was beating. I intimately understood what it meant to be
breathless. Cochabamba is not that big,
surrounded by the dark brown mountains.
On days, like this day, I feel so
undeserving of the blessings around me.
Why have I been blessed to be in the world’s top 5% of wealth (all
Americans are in the top 5%, even those on food stamps)? I’m retired and not yet 60. I’ve visited 30 countries. I am looking out over a beautiful city, far
from my home. Why me?
For now, thank you God for my
experience at the Christ of Peace. Bless
this city and its people.
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