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Laura Bush Does Peru: Toilets for the People!
Laura Bush had an interesting itinerary this past weekend in Peru. I think it merits more public attention than does her husband’s hobnobbing with APEC leaders at the final summit meeting. Laura Bush looks on as aid worker demonstrates how to decontaminate drinking water in earthquake zone (San Clemente, Peru, Nov. 21) Of note: (1) She didn’t come with W. (He flew with Arroz.) Instead of arriving at Lima in Airforce One with her husband, Laura Bush flew from Panama to southern Peru. Some bloggers have read into the separate travel itineraries (strained marital relations), but I’m skipping those speculations because… (2) Laura Bush should be commended for visiting Pisco,…
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Of Earthquakes and Philosophers
This past Monday (October 6), at around 6:50 p.m., El Híjo and I were sitting in the living room when we felt an enormous jolt. EH leaped from the couch: “Earthquake!” The rapid shaking last for ten seconds and stopped. El Fotógrafo emerged from the kitchen where he was cooking a very fragrant Bolognese sauce. His brother was right behind him, wafting on the scent of sautéed garlic. “Yes,” said his brother, stroking his beard. “This is October. The month of the earthquakes.” He paused thoughtfully. “Also May.” Now is a good time in this blog to introduce El Filósofo, EF’s older brother and a lifetime Lima resident. Plato and…
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Me and Lima: Improvising a Life
In Jean Renoir’s classic film The Golden Coach (Le Carosse D’Or), a troupe of Italian actors arrives in 18th-century colonial Lima, expecting to perform in a luxurious palace. Instead, they find themselves in a frontier town. “What do you think of the New World?” they are asked. “It will be better when it is finished.” Arriving in Peru’s dusty, disorganized capital in July 2007, I had a similar reaction.
