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Octubre 04, 2004
Eat. Drink. Be Merry
Arriving on a Sunday, I knew that meant some type of get-together. I was rushed and given thirty minutes to take a shower and get ready. My uncle´s nieces were putting on a parrillada complete with six different types of meat. My cousin was also invited to another parrillada located off Avenida Blanco Galindo, as his aunt was throwing an engagement party. After eating, we headed over where we were offered even more food. “Sorry, but we just ate.” The hosts said, “Don´t be ridiculous, have a little.” So we ate yet again. As typical of these meals, the beer kept coming…then like clockwork, out came the guitar. One of the guys with the guitar invented a song on the spot, a homage to his mother who had passed on. The lyrics moved one of the other guys to tears, but was probably fueled by all the alcohol consumed.
Inevitably the conversation always turned to politics. My uncle, a self-described Gonista, was the recipient of harmless ribbing from the others. Others admitted they were intrigued by the MAS candidate for Mayor of Cochabamba, Gonzalo Lema. Even though a lot of middle-classers hold contempt for the party´s leadership, many think it is time to let MAS show the country what they are made of.
In gatherings like this, you always meet new people who have connections. My cousin´s aunt´s new fiancee is one of the leaders who is heading up former President Tuto Quiroga´s new project in Cochabamba. This project, which is trying to operate without the backing of a true political party, is forming as a agrupacion ciudadana. My cousin, who has been an AND militante for the past six years, wants to follow Tuto in this new project. So he was invited by his new uncle to attend one of these meetings. The uncle asked me if I wanted to come along, by the way, he referred to me as his nephew. It would definitely be interested to see what it´s all about.
I hit a brick wall at around 6 p.m. I was overwhelmingly exhausted from the long trip, and excused myself early. I´m sure it lasted well into the nighttime. Came home, fell asleep and woke up 15 hours later. I´m across the street from my favorite Brasilian restaurant, waiting for it to open
Posted by eduardo at Octubre 4, 2004 12:19 PM
Comments
I've heard Tuto has great charisma, so I'm curious. I've never actually met him, but he labels himself as someone who "thinks right, but his heart to the left" (or something like that). Basically, Bolivia's version of "compassionate conservatism." Should be interesting, let us know.
And. It's nice to know there's still a few gonistas in Cocha. There's still tons in Santa Cruz & Tarija.
Posted by: Miguel Centellas at Octubre 5, 2004 04:13 PM
Everyone seems to think it will be Tuto vs. Evo in 2007. Although I do not think that matchup was anything new. Unless Evo picks up a VP like Doria Medina or del Granado, it is tough to think that that matchup will not divide the classes and ethnicities.
Posted by: eduardo at Octubre 5, 2004 07:18 PM
What about Percy Fernandez? Or Juan Carlos Duran? Don't count out the MNR; there's still life left in the old girl.
Posted by: Miguel Centellas at Octubre 6, 2004 12:47 AM