Resting in Santa Cruz

I decided to rest a few days in Santa Cruz because it is such a nice town. I am feeling much better already. I can finally breathe. The weather is perfect: there are a few hot hours mid-day (and siesta between 12-2:30) but mornings, afternoons and nights are pleasantly cool and fresh. Santa Cruz is an island of wealth in the sea of poverty... I haven't seen such a huge concentration of expensive SUVs as here... Yesterday I took a taxi to a hospital to ask about the yellow fever vaccine and I was going through a district of big, very beautifully kept houses. Maybe it's the coca mafia district... I was reading a little about the history of Bolivia and it seems not one president ever finished his turn naturally. Most were overthrown, forced to leave, one was killed publicaly, one committed suicide... The governments change from socialist to capitalist, a set of new economy rules is implemented with every new president. It must be really tough to live here, even for the privilaged... I am just walking around the town, enjoying the sights, parks, fountains and cafes. The only problem is still the food. It's very hard to find something fresh here...

(Gene, I haven't heard from you for a long time - is everything fine? Are you still in Florida or in NY? I lost your e-mail address.)