Conference, etc.

Dear Friends:

Very nearly didn´t make it to the published 8:30 am conference start, but, as this is Bolivia, got there on time and then the conference didn´t even begin to show signs of life until 9:30. So in the meantime, struck up a very nice conversation with a very nice member of the Bolivian armed forces who kept me company through the wait and then the break. And due to the extended eloquence of the first two presenters (something not unique to Bolivia), we didn´t even get to the good presentations, which have now been moved to 5pm this evening, different location. Well okay. Looks like plans for ice cream have been dashed, as were all other plans to get things done this morning and afternoon.

Had a very nice lunch with Nadia (the Italian woman from Turin), whom I like more and more. She´s late 50s, Syrian mother, Lebanese father, born in Cairo, Jewish, had to leave Egypt due to Suez Crisis of ´56, grew up in Turin, been there ever since -- Italian for all practical purposes. Spent a year in the US early 70s while her husband got his Ph.d., so our conversations are a crazy and fast mix of Italian, Spanish, English and the occasional bit of French thrown in for good measure, mostly on her side. I now have a place to stay in Turin and lament that I won´t get to meet her husband, who arrives tomorrow just as I leave for cbba. We may overlap in cbba, which would be nice.

Other than that, final meeting with doc today (may have to leave conference), also gotta finish packing and think I ought to get a welcome-parting gift for Nadia and Husband -- am thinking two bars of Toblerone and two bottles of bottled water (what else does one need to survive in Sucre?). Or, maybe chocolate and wine. Also El Roman has had another tailorial existential crisis, so may not get my latest set until I get back from cbba.

Anyways, hope everyone is well and taking a moment now and then from busy schedules to enjoy life. Look for postcards and whatever else from cbba. Hate to vacillate, but am still debating the election question. Gotta go now buy some brown wrapping paper as i fascisti at the post office won´t let me mail my books unless the box is properly and thoroughly wrapped.

BT