Lots to do

Lots to do. Contacted the consulates last week or, rather, almost did. Couldn't get in touch with anyone, not a soul -- was forced to leave messages. Will they ever get back to me? Probably not. And so my re-introduction to the slow ooze that is bureaucracy. I'll have to do this once in Bolivia and then visit the Argentine consulate in La Paz, most likely; apt to get more done in person, or perhaps not. Spending today organizing files, grants, insurance, literature, etc., also working on making sure the address change has gone out to all parties -- i.e., banks, student loan organizations, etc. Ugh. Books did come in and I've been re-visiting Herbert Klein's, A (very) Concise History of Bolivia. Looking forward to getting Dunkerley's Rebellion in the Veins soon, which had to be purchased from an independent bookseller. It's worth the re-reading and having in the library. Also checked out some of the apartment/rental options in Sucre and think I'll be able to find just the sort of thing I like, with sufficient space to accommodate visitors.

Went to visit the grandmere and oncles yesterday for one last time before I head out (july 20). Took Augie, who despite the occasional lapse, was incredibly well-behaved. Heard too from my good friend Ray who is back in Austin, resuming her TA duties and taking a short summer course in French (good luck with that one). Heard too from D, who is having a lovely time being fashionable in Portland, and from my old, brilliant friend A from Tulane -- she and her husband just moved into a new home in Hampshire and all is well.

Nothing but manual labor Saturday; planted corn, okra, radishes, squash, more cucumbers, oregano, more basil, and finally (!) found some decent parsley (none of the curly stuff in this garden). Toughest part was breaking the soil here, which is very dense and very black -- in many ways like clay, either dry and cracking or wet and clumping. Lots of fun, though.

Blog break over. On with the chores. Hope everyone is well.