Hi Thomas,

Things here are quiet and fine on a general perspective. Really distressed days compared to the times when Fujimori was our president. A few sectors here are going on strikes demanding better treatment and more benefits -read it economical- from the government, something that is understandable considering that we are a poor country where the majority is considered under poorness or extreme poorness, but also hard to attend from the government side because of the reduced tax incomes. Tell them that there is real pressure to force Fernando Olivera, the current Justice Minister, to leave the charge due to some confrontations to the heads of the catholic community here in Peru, originated by his apparently unauthorized travel to the Vatican. Leaded by ex-president Alan Garcia some people are also demanding a change on the economic plan adopted by the Economics Minister Pedro Pablo Kuczinsky. President Toledo is making great efforts to make a national agreement for the country's governability. He is permanently seeking and listening to the opinions of the local polititians from different tendencies -even oppositors-, really opposite to Fujimori's autocratic, corrupt and despotic ways. I am not a Toledist but I think he is showing what I consider a basic attitude to grow as a nation: to listen to everybody including oppositors, to debate encountering positions frankly, face-to-face.

After many years of terrorism and extreme corruption, a ten-year-lasting unconstitutional and dictatorial-style government and social stress and confrontations I can tell you that here in Peru we are living really different times. Yes we still are a poor and third-world country, but we have renewed or hope on better times. We can again dream on building a great country, brick by brick, step by step. Personally I do :) That might the spirit your sister-in-law and husband will find when they come here, perfect for Christmas I think. Something I do not understand of our celebrations is the hot chocolate people use to have by these days and the incredible decorations that represent big trees and all kind of decorations plenty of snow LOL :)

I am sorry I extended too much in my answer. Best regards!