Homeward bound

Dear Friends:

I´m homeward bound. I´ve expended tons of energy in Bolivia, met with lots of people, but at the end of the day feel like I have very little, what my poli sci colleagues would call, "data" to show for all my work. I´m still open and still trying, have lots planned for next week before I head to Chile, and for the month of November, but at the end of the day I´ve found the locals cooperatively uncooperative -- and possessed of an interesting conception of time. Everyone likes to meet, talk a lot, but when it comes to pinning people down for an actual interview, it´s another matter. Though we schedule, invariably plans fall through again and again. I think it will be important to head back for some time in Austin to meet with committee members, review progress to date, reconsider plan of execution for Argentina (where things MUST be easier and more organized) and just relax in the company of friends and family, whom I miss terribly. K has agreed to put me up and I´m ever so thankful -- it´s odd to think I don´t have my apartment in Austin anymore, but his´ll do just fine, a south austin version of my little place, where I´m sure to find good food, wine, and excellent company.

I think difficulties here are a reflection of my topic, which is relatively novel. We all knew, or at least supposed, that the level of development on this particular issue was low in Bo and that it was the least similar case and I have to keep that in mind. But I´m also not sure my execution has been the best and I also wonder if I´ve allowed myself enough time to do the kind of in-depth investigation I would like to do -- probably not. Of course, under any circumstances, there probably would not be enough time to do the kind of investigation I´d like to do. Much of the research I´ve done I could have done from my desk in Austin. On the other hand, I do realize much of what I´ve seen (if not documented to my satisfaction), I could not have seen from my desk in Austin. What counts as data anyway? What´s an interview? Now I understand why lots of people opt for run of the mill topics -- it´s easier. Am still optimistic because the topic is great. And, there´s no ruling out returning to Bo for the occasional trip-interview while in Argentina and thereafter, something one of my committee members suggested anyway. A one country study would have been much easier, logistically and otherwise.

Haven´t yet decided whether to stay in town for the elections (dec. 4) or leave before. People here really are uncertain and uneasy. Seem to think that there will be considerable social upheaval during and especially after the elections. I don´t know. Am tired and am inclined to just get out of town before things get nasty and the airports close down. End of the day, I can read about it in the papers, which is what everyone does here anyway.

Long way of saying I´ll be in town for a week or so in dec and then again in jan and looking ever so forward to it. Tell me now if there´s anything in particular any of you want from Bo and I´m happy to bring it along, though of course you´ll all have gifts coming. Hope everyone is well and enjoying what I hear are wonderful temperatures.

I´m now going to go track down the paper, look forward to lunch and revisit plans for next week and following. Since I´ll have to pass the night in Santa Cruz as it is, I´m hoping to line up a meeting with an environmental group there . . . wish me luck.

B.

(hey De, any 5Ks in early dec or jan we could run? or at least get the tshirt for and then get coffee?)