Been toiling in the hot sun all week. Yesterday we went with the project to a nearby town for a march, as it was a international day to stop violence against women. They wanted to show the effects on kids and they had their placards with various slogans as per pics. It was led by the police brigade against violence and the kids were encouraged to meet the friendly police dog/bear, who was carrying a full canister of CS gas, in case of a sudden uprising by the niños no doubt.
We also met the star studded cast of a new Bolivian film 'Pancho y Silpancho - Amor sin Fronteras' Looks like classy stuff!
We continue to be in awe of the trufis and try to rate them on comfort, onboard entertainment, posters, the ornate gearstick coverings - usually a fringed carpet arrangement - and the number of Jesus' dangling. They display claims of luxury, security and romance. Rattling around yesterday to Eminem on the 'Hip Hip' trufi with a leaking roof, did not fill us with any of those feelings.
So, good news on the prison front, the director of our project is sorting passes to go in with her, probably not until our last day, but still a great opportunity. She is also meeting us on Monday to discuss the British prison system, so will be getting some info together over the weekend and attempting to translate. Spanish classes going very well though.
Last night was Thanks Giving and about 60 people partied at the main house. We sat by candlelight in the garden eating 101 different dishes, including stuffed tripe which we only became aware of half way through. And a turkey cooked in the solar oven in the garden. We got invited to Argentina for New Years Eve - as you do. Don´t remind us of that when we are supping warm beer in the Sugar Loaf!!
Going to main plaza tonight to hear the latest sectarian lectures - my come across a Bolivian mad Di! Then market tomoorw, maybe food with some other volunteers and final match of the season on Saturday, a local derby. May try to plan a weekend away next week.
Halfway through already : (
xx
Snow here. Bitter cold. First the personal stuff.... we went out to Bordeaux Quay to celebrate 20 years together... a bit late for various reasons ... but it was great. Fine dining and very very fine wines. Great night. I has a Manhatten!!! We do like Mad Men.
ReplyDeleteTook my A level students to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for an astronomy workshop. Great.... One of the students has just arrived from Cameroon so she has never seen the stars in the Northern hemisphere. I've neve seen those in the Southern hemisphere.... but you can. She has never seen snow before and she keeps her overcoat on in class even when it is hot.
The student stuff is amazing. 50+ students from my school were on the demo on Bristol on Wednesday... What are you doing here Sir? Are you taking the register? I told them it was my day off and I was there to support their demands.... Fair play Sir... lots of handshakes and of course it spread like wildfire around the school the next day.
Huge demo and very exciting but totallly rudderless. So we were up and down Park Street like demented yoyos. Knackered.
Went to the student occupation at UWE. Got a big cheer when I brought fraternal greetings from our NUT branch and a big bag of food. I think they cheered the politics but it might have been the crisps.
You seem to be enjoying yourself. I have to prpare some lessons on wave/particle duality..... And vectors. Shaz will respond shortly Phil xx
Phil and I have been together 20 years and counting!!! oh we were soo posh last night (me in my electric blue suit drinking bellinis)It was great. Politically things are hotting up. Jerry Hicks got a brilliant 21% vote and came second in the Unite General sec election with over 50k votes! I have just sent off my ballot paper voting for industrial action over pensions...the company are digging their heels in and are already quoting illegal electionering by the union (they must be worried).
ReplyDeleteI did go on the stop the war demo, numbers more like 5k. good spirit. Bristol did well AND did build for it but not surprisingly it is not the main focus (unlike the cuts) and so the numbers were smaller. There were also lots of anti cuts demos across the country the same day, Phil went to one 1000 strong in Gloucester!
sounds like you are having fun and that you may have to buy Den a puppy for xmas. lol shaz xx
Halfway through - phew...too quick. Lots happening here - we're Day 6 into our Plymouth students occupation!!! You can send them a message if you like (From wherever you are) and watch our live stream of the main room at: www.justin.tv/psac#/w/596534368
ReplyDeleteI did London in a day again Saturday (bloody freezing) for the Coalition of Resistence conference - 1300 people, 3 general secretaries, much wider than jutst the usual lefts (although, well, you can guess the spin). Nothing much concrete, except formal commitments to work together - not particularly evident in practice. Impressive size and energy, tho', and as far as I'm concerned, we should have been in there from the start. Anyway, loads more action on the way - the NUS's el Presidente has finally given blessing to the occupations, and apolgised for moving too slow (to get in front, they really mean). So the direct action is opening up the space. Tube workers on strike again tomorrow (despite Crow's best efforts)and another student day of action on Tuesday (hopefully without kettles following the political storm about police treatment of young people). EDL able to mobilise more than the left in the Midlands this weekend, for the first time - very worrying growth in their mobilisations and tactics.
Climate demo next weekend gonna be a taste of the next Ice Age, from all accounts - can't believe the snow and cold. Maybe we could set up a small business to ship loads over to you - balance things up a bit.
Strokes to the dog. Balls for Tennis. Mama Mia!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThe student demos and occupations are going really well. Next big dy is Tuesday, a planned protest outside the council house (the lib dem offices). Not sure if I'll make it to this one, Luuk is doinghis impression of a pig hunting truffles again so we may stay in.
Brentford have acheived what is probobly a club record of two wins in a row. It would have been thre, but were beaten by the mighty aldershot in the cup a while back. Brebtford are now at the gravity defying height of 13th.
Your photos and reports make the place seem fantastic. Looking forward to hearin all about it over a warm beer!
p.s. more photos of bruno please. Any chance of one with Bruno and Tennis?