Ciao!

Well, Miguel, I am glad that things are going well on your research for your dissertation. I mean, going into a country, from which you are decended, right at the outbreak of dissent is serendipitous and fine. I am glad that you are nice and safe in whatever wealthier, educated suburb that you are in. Good job.

However, I am more than a little pissed off that you don't or haven't seen the major obstacles presented to you here:

1: As far as I know, your thesis was going to be about the reasons why Bolivia has a more stable democracy than its surrounding countries.

and

2: The danger inherent in being who you are, where you are.

You are a member of the Bourgeoise in a time of proletariate upheaval. Know what happens to those? They usually end up beheaded. Dammit.

Come home, Miguel. Move back to K-Zoo and be a professor. Write a dissertation on something else. A living doctorate is better than a martyred one -- especially if that martyrdom leads to nothing.

I'm sorry. I should support you, I know; but, I feel already connected to you and I can't give any good pragmatic advice on living in a state of martial law or societal upheaval or transition from democracy to tribalism. I just can't.

In turn, I will re-buy the taco ingredients and you can show up here anytime for a taco night.

I'm sorry I haven't read your blog lately.

Love,
Micah

P- Be safe.

Kinda confused abt the names... where's your location exactly? Are you in La Paz or in another city?

Micah, I'm sorry. But don't be an ass, OK? Yes, I realize that my dissertation's not quite as it was. And that's OK! Social science builds hypotheses which we try to support or disprove. My hypothesis is rather shaken now; and that's still a good academic finding!

As to calling me bourgeoise. Thank you. I take it as a badge of honor. Marx himself called the bourgeoise the first truly revolutionary class. It introduced liberal rights, which led to democracy and human freedom. BTW, since you're in college (and to be a teacher no less) you're also as bourgeoise as I am.

Yes, I'm safe. People in San Miguel and most of the Zona Sur are safe as safe can be. You've seen the pictures of the military presence, right? I do often wish I was downtown, where I could see more of the crisis. But then I live in an apartment w/ no fridge and no stove, hence, no way to eat! So I chose to come down to be w/ my family (also so that they wouldn't worry and so that I could help them, they have two young children).

But you're right, my country is descending into the worst form of syndicalism. But I've faith in Goni, as crazy as that might sound. There was even talk of starting a march in his support towards the capitol, but then people realized that the savages Evo and Solares lead would try to beat us savagely. I think thing's turn out fine in the end; I'm an optimist.

Steph (and anyone else):

Sorry about the confusion. La Paz and El Alto are two separate cities, each broken up into different boroughs/neighborhoods.

La Paz is most easily broken up into the Zona Norte (usually just called the Centro) and the Zona Sur. In the north are the Prado (where my apartment is), Sopocachi, Obrajes, Miraflores, and several others. In the south, are San Miguel, Irpavy & Alto Irpavi, Los Pinos, Cota Cota, Aranjuez, and several others.

Does that help?

Yup. thanks for clearing that up.

Hey, this year may turn out to be more tumultuous than anyone expected. And it's gonna be an adventure nonetheless.

Wanna let you know u have my confidence every step of the way.

I wasn't trying to be an ass. I am worried as fuck about you. I'm not picking on your research, I would just rather your research be done in a place of safety. As to my calling you a member of the bourgeoise, I was merely quoting you. You told me that I became part of the bourgeoise almost a year ago when I enrolled in school. The thing is, I know you think that you are safe right now, but I am not so sure that you aren't blinded by your own sense of security in Bolivia.

I just think you should move up here and sit around reading comics and stuff. I would rest easier. I only made $30 today because I was so grim about this whole thing all day. Your safety has rubbed off on my performance as a server.

What happens if these cartels that you are talking about take over the city and shut down the airports? You have mentioned a couple of times that some of these people are in bed with Libyans...do you not remember what happened to Doc in Back to the Future when he fucked around with them?

I'm just really worried about you. At the very least, promise that you will hurry through your research, get the thing writ down, and hurry back to safety.

The taco offer still stands.

Love,
Micah

P-I have never not gone someplace here because I realized that 'savages' would 'beat me soundly' for trying...not even a rally.

PP-I understand that as a poli-sci guy, being in the heart of the matter is like heroin for you. Take my mettling as you would a concerned aunt's or something.