Lima is Better.

Lima is better than I remember it to be. Limeños may not be quite as kind and courteous as they were in 1962 and 1963, but they are still kinder and more courteous to strangers than I ever remember Californians being. I remember Limenños as being excessively proud. They now seem only as proud as their past and present merit.

Lima is not, however, a good place to be recovering from pulmonary problems. It is one of the few cities which can often be both humid and dusty at the same time.

Health Report

I have a fairly serious bronchial infection distorting my upper bronchi. Have also persistent and ugly infectious conjunctivitis.
Spent most of two days in bed in Bogota.
And now have spent most of two days in bed in Lima.
My weakness of body and mind has given me a fright.
Consulted doctors in both Bogota and Lima.
Am still ill, but seem to be on the mend.

I´m shopping for flights to Montevideo. They are expensive. Fares going up and dollar is still falling.

The Gentry

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln understood that the world had been, and mostly still was, made up of the gentry and the people. The gentry ruled and the people worked. The idea of Ab and George was that the people could, and should, rule themselves.

There was some discussion as to how:

The republicans said that rule should be by representatives. Others suggested that such representatives would become a sort of gentry.

The democrats said that rule ought to be directly by the people. Some said that would be rule by rabble.

Republicans won this argument, but have nearly completely lost our republic.

Do not worry. If you are not interested in these arguments, you will be ruled by someone.

You have heard that' rule or governance 'of the people, by the people, and for the people' has perished form the earth. Perhaps it was never here. I suspect that the people of Iceland came close. I have reminded you that 'the people' in the quote means 'not the gentry.' You may find it useful to review the meanings of 'of,' 'by,' and 'for.'

Guess one might say 'by' is the democratic part.

Bogota

Bogota is big and comfortable.

You can still find a hotel in a handy area that most would be contented with for around $40.

Don´t forget to bring a jacket and a sweater. It can be pretty cool here even during the day.

Men might feel better with a blazzar or even a suit and tie.

Lots to see and do.

Colombian food is not always the most interesting, but in Bogota its not hard to get excellent food from around the world. I was in a Tai-Israeli place today.





More cocaine moves through Brazil that any country. Most prpobably through Bolivia, but there is a great deal that moves down the Amazon from Peru. Europe is the destination for most of it

Bogota

The weather is great here in Bogota.
Colombians carry on.
Avianca is a safe and efficient way to fly.
There are still Mejias, Restrepos, Parras and more here.
President Uribe may speak the classiest Spanish in the Americas.

Panama Too

They tell me that grain and oil are the two biggest money items passing through the Canal, but one sees a very great number of cantainer ships passing through.

Outside of Panama City, near the Canal between the Pedro Miguel locks and the community of Gambao is Summit. Summit is a small, interesting zoo located a large piece of land that began as something of a botanical experimental station. Many of the plants brought from the orient and other places of similar climate. I think the Missouri Botanical Gardens are still associated with Summit.

Tomorrow I will probably head for Lima.

Still no english spellcheck.

Panama

Coconut Water

Its good for yor daughter, Harry B. told us. Here in Panama a water coconut is called a pipa.

Panama has about 2000 islands. John Wayne liked them so much he acquired one. His friend, General Omar Trorrijos was of some helpe to him.

Look up 'pollera' on the internet. Colombians and others have been singing their praises for ages.
Saw many beautiful ones on parade yesterday.

According to my spanish spellcheck I spelled everything wrong except 'pollera' and and 'general.'
I'm sure I spelled Panama correctly!