There’s a few more bits and pieces to sort out but hopefully we’ll’ve moved in by Tuesday. It’s got 3 big bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a good-looking kitchen, a tiny little garden, a huge downstairs living/dining room with tons of light. There’s a family-owned corner shop downstairs so it’s safe as you like and we’ll never have to be stuck without coffee or papayas. I’m amazed that all it’s taken so far is a 20 dollar deposit. Anyroad, we’ll soon be ready for receiving guests. There’s just the minor step of acquiring furniture for the place. & a fridge. & a washing machine…

I’m loving driving around the city, once you learn to ignore the speed limits and give taxis a very wide berth, it’s pretty easy. Last night we caught up with Jose who’s no longer working at CEPE and hasn’t changed a bit. We found a packed Irish-theme pub with local microbrewed beer, “Minerva” oscura y clara, which would have been grand if it weren’t so busy. Next door to the pub a pseudo-uncle of Jose’s has an office where he sells top of the range sound equipment so we had a few chelas there and shall be returning next Friday for an evening of auritory exploration, polite conversation and drinks with a group of people who share new music. Then on to some loud club full of younguns with a DJ and a two for one offer on Tequila con (e)Squirt and finally another more sedate club where we could hear stuff. T’was a grand night. This evening I think we’re off with Cesar… Stay tuned.

Might be off to San Juan de Dios (Mio Que Compre?) or Taiwan de Dios this avo. I was alarmed to read it’s gone from 180 pirate-goods stores to 30 in just a year. You have to wonder what’s replaced them.

I’ll be printing out Stu’s novel too to cast a critical eye over. It’s hard to tear myself away from “Mr Norrell & Jonathon Strange” though which is, frankly, excellent stuff. It’s basically Harry Potter for grown-ups. A review will be forthcoming…