A reasonably uneventful week in Cochabamaba, we both suffered from coughs/colds after the Potosi trip, although Claire succumbed later than I. But fear not Claire bought the entire contents of our medicine chest with us (remember bastard bag!) so we have a choice of Beneline, Vicks nasal, Vicks throught, Strepsils etc. Managed to get to University as required, although as usual the attendance was varied! Improving slowly though, for both of us its sometimes a bind to drag ourselves up there, but when actually teaching we enjoy it. Claire even volunteers to take over the main lecture as well now. As mine starts at 6.45, I am not in much of a state to be there, let alone take over, so less volunteering from this quarter! Plenty of time spent at the country club, played golf ... read more

Cochabamba is a great place. Its in a valley surrounded on most sides by mountains which you can walk up at weekends. Lovely climate, blue all day, not too hot but hot enough. Everyone is pretty cheerful as if they know they´ve got it ok here. Lots of open spaces to relax, lots of bars and cafes etc which you can eat at, and street vendors you don’t touch with a barge pole. Really fallen on our feet here. We have a very nice ´granny flat´ attached to a large house and are left to our own devices by the owners. Good, safe part of town as well, although we have a private guard at night who patrols the street. Have joined the country club. This place is great, real touch of luxury, so we are ... read more