Success!, national epidemics, and trips to the country

Dear Friends!

Had an excellent follow up with one of the NGOs this morning. They, for good reason (not related to me), had been extremely suspicious and cautious in accepting my request for interviews, data, etc. So, I went this morning to lobby again, went out on a limb and told them my thoughts on ¨law in the absence of law¨ and how their work was important in that regard and literally felt a molecular shift in the room. It was a great feeling, and I´m invited to stop by tomorrow morning to begin observation and interaction. This is important and significant progress. Where there was a wall, now there is a door. We have a success.

As for national epidemics: my distant-ish relatives stood me up! Apparently it´s cultural (what an excuse). I checked a few sources and as a last resort the guide book and apparently all sorts of plans are made all of the time and for no good reason becuase people simply do NOT show up. Their understanding of time according to the book is ¨flexible¨. Tomorrow doesn´t really mean tomorrow and now doesn´t mean now. Why bother? I was tired as it was from my trip to tarabuco, so didn´t especially mind, but come on.

As for my trip to tarabuco, it was fantastic. I think even nicer than the drive to Potosi. It took an hour or so to get there and then we walked the village and surrounding areas, had a nice lunch of "coq au chicha" with rice and corn and a little mate de coca afterward. A final walk around the village and the main mercado campesino (where I bought onions) and back to Sucre. The chauffeur and guide were excellent and everything was first rate -- punctual, professional, and pleasant. Just the way I like it.

So, so far an excellent start to the week. Am looking very forward to getting this leg of my research started tomorrow. The rest of the day will be spent hunting down El Roman, who was on a roll and then surely had some tailor/artist-mini-crisis, and prepping for my interview this evening. Will post photos on blogo re tarabuco now.

B.