pillowy star

I have lived in Santa Cruz/Bolivia from 1979 until 1981, and I think saw 4 different governments coming and going during that time, including military strikes and stuff. The country was in a total mess being governed by e.g. Lydia Geiler (communist) until General Hugo Banzer took over again. What started as him using the army to regain power again, ended up in him being officially elected as President later.

I'm observing these new developments with worry, seeing as I've experienced that this country can't seem to function unless it has a strong leader that unifies rather than separating - and as much as I appreciate & understand Moarles' honorable motives.......he's going to fail.

The region around Santa Cruz is the richest due to cocaine (yeah let's face it, Bolivia is one of the biggest suppliers for the US, if you don't believe me, ask me for the huge trucks I saw every night loading/unloading tons of bags that looked like flour bags - only the stuff in them wasn't exactly flour ) and gas. They now attempt to become independent, seeing as Morales obviously wants to gain control over the country's natural resources, which secured so far a rather exclusive life for Santa Cruz as well as most obtainable stability for the rest of the country. Seeing as the Banzer family & relatives still live around Santa Cruz and probably still have secret control over army, troops and the likes, this isn't going to end up peacefully.

So what is better for a country - being totally independent from the US, having your government rule over worthless land (whilst the richest parts of it have been detached in a military action because otherwise they would have had to fear being dispossessed)......................or leave things as they were the past decades, aka some parts of the country being rich but at least sharing some of their wealth and keeping the US calm with delivering what they wanted to have delivered - which at least provided a bit of stability for everyone rather than ending up in a civil war in the country plus having the US against you?

Discuss.

Your English is just fine Bea I wish my Spanish was still as good!

Thanks everone. I'm never gonna be able to eat Mayonnaise again without searching it for dead nits first

Thanks everyone, I've just yesterday morning come back from Mallorca, and of course the day was all about my daughter turning 18!! I had a nice Caipirinha though later that evening

I'm just trying to find my way back to the online life after amost 10 days without internet or emails (so be patient whoever PMed or emailed me ), after an 18 h day yesterday with it being my 42nd and my daugther's 18th birthday, but it was an exceptional show, with Jeff being in an exceptionally funny mood, I literally burst with laughter more often than not.

Bea, PM me the pic!! I am dying to see it! It was SO nice to see you, I could kill myself for being so stupid and not checking my PMs quickly so I could have taken your number instead

Warren, if you read this - same goes for you! What a nice surprise to see you again

Got your PM, and see you on Wednesday in Palma

Happy Belated Birthday to one of the most awesomest people ever! Hope you had a fantastic day, and we're always here to get you some more Currywurst, Schweinekamm & Soljanka in case you make it over again

Congratulations Beautiful name, beautiful baby.

More vibes to everyone who needs them right now. I know out of own experience how efficient they are.

(holding out hope for another residency!)

:yes

Vibes from across the Big Pond to Dean and his family. Wishing them the courage & strength to deal with these rough times.

Happy Birthday, Jeff...............and THANK YOU.

See you in Palma

My husband used Rosetta Stone when he started learning German. However, the only way to properly learn a foreign language is to actually live in that country. I didn't learn Spanish out of the lessons we had, but only when we started to live in Bolivia. Same with English, I spoke quite well but by far not as nearly mother-tongue-y as I do now (according to Robert) before I started living parttime over there. Same reason why I speak only quite bad French - I never lived there. Rob, on the other hand, speaks quite a good German since he's living here.

Happy Birthday

If we can get a nice SuperLastMinute holiday deal - yes. We have front row tickets for Mallorca.

God, this thread was indeed kept alive for a whole year

Happy Birthday Sir

Really looking forward to that Burch collaboration

Happy Birthday Greg

Have a great day, and thanks for all you're doing

Hope you're having a splendid day

Gonna have a cup of coffee on your honor

I used to be the most fanatic Olympics fan. It kinda vanished a bit over the years, but I still always watched as much as I could.

Until now.

I seriously don't want to watch something like e.g. the opening ceremonies, only to find out later that what I saw was neither live nor probably the real thing.

I guess I just don't like censorship

Happy Birthday Nicky

Happy Birthday to someone who couldn't be a better friend, even though we're so far apart. You're the most wonderful woman in the world

Many people are interested in the events of two groups - the people they know and the people they've heard of. The second group is not limited to performers. If this story involved Kofi Annan, it would be reported on. If it involved Jon Krakauer, it would be reported on. This happens to be an actor. This is the way I see it, anyway.

Post. Of. The. Day.

TMZ says that it was apparently verbal assault... I guess you can get arrested for that England. Crazy fookin Brits.

Don't say anything against the fookng Brits. I'm married to one, you know.