Jonny's in Bolivia

I wasn't sure where Bolivia actually is, so I got hold of map. It has borders with five other South American countries. It's where Jonny, my wandering son, is right now. It's also where Ernesto “if you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine” Guevara was killed.

He's in Vallegrande to be precise. A small town south-west of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It was here, at the hospitals mortuary, that the body of 'Che' Guevara was put on public display after his execution by the US backed Bolivian army in 1967. His burial site was kept secret to stop it becoming one of pilgrimage, the cowards. In 1995 his body was discovered near the airstrip at Vallegrande . On October 17, 1997, the remains, were sent to Cuba, with those of six of his fellow combatants. They were laid to rest with full military honors in an especially built mausoleum in the Cuban city of Santa Clara, where he had lead the decisive military victory of the Cuban Revolution. Before he was killed his executioner, Mario Terán, asked if he was thinking about his own immortality. "No", replied Che, "I'm thinking about the immortality of the revolution."

Jonny's there but can't access any money. There are no cash points that work in Vallegrande. The Bolivian currency is the Boliviano. The exchange rate is about 10:1. There seems to be a bank though, and an Internet cafe. Thank goodness for modern technology and the wonders of science. So no need to panic.

It turns out there is a simple way of transferring money these days. It took me a little time to find out, and some help from Rachel. The transfer has to be through the Western Union bank. You can do it online if you register, but strangely they don't take visa debit cards. So we had to do it by phone 0800 833 833. It's so much better to talk to someone who knows what they are doing in these situations. I'm still unsure if he's going to pick up the money, but we've done what we can for now. Unfortunately I told Anne who, like when she was told that his airline had crashed, began to 'spaz out'. It's what mothers do. Of course the aeroplane hadn't crashed, just the company - Zoom.
I remember I was in Paris with my cousin Marilyn. I had been tipped off by Rachel that this had happened and had sorted it out already when I got the panicky call. I was tempted to keep the suspense going but it wasn't worth it.

So I hope Jonny gets the money and is safe. I'm also very proud of him for making this trip and taking the risk. It's what I would have liked to have been brave enough to do. I'm glad he made the pilgrimage.