Dermatologist Response

William,

Surprisingly I got a response from my dermatologist already. His response:

‘Hi Mr. Shields,
Let me say that dermatology is very much a hands on specialty, and diagnosing or treating by email is rather tenuous at best. If all he has is oilier skin than usual, it can be due to excessive stress. We do not treat excessively oily skin by prescription meds, but rather recommend more frequent washing. If it leads to acne, then medications can be used.
Thank you,
Allen G********, M.D.’

Given the mugging, language, country, food, school, not to mention the proposition from the prostitute. I think stress is a viable option. Let me know if this helps.

On a second note, for a hoot! Cathy M***** showed up at Mom’s office this afternoon. She was sitting waiting for Mom when she came back from a meeting. If we only could have seen the expression on Mom’s face. Mom might actually have three glasses of wine tonight.

It seems that T*** is considering AU, hence the college visit. Also along the lines of gossip, T*** has apparently declared that she is gay.

Talk to you soon.

Love, miss you and take care down there.

Dad

Money Transfer

William,

I just got back from transferring the money. I also just received a copy Mom’s email to you. I guess Mom thought I gave you a hard time about money. I did a bit, all you have to use money carefully, but I never meant to imply that you were handling money irresponsible. Don’t worry about money, you are doing fine, and as Mom said no more midnight walks to save money.

But also, don’t run down to nothing or close to it before telling us. Keep us informed on where you stand. Mom said that I was sending you $300, I upped that to $340.00 I want you to put $80 away for an emergency. Put it away and forget it. If you need more before your bank situation gets straighten out, don’t wait until the remaining $260 is almost gone. That will give a little leave way for arranging the transfer.

I canceled your debit card at the bank, I have not been able to arrange to have a new card sent, they told me at the bank that you have to do that. I’ll see if I can do it from here. I will also look into replacing the American Express card.

Violence is a ugly fact in the world today. While you may have made a mistake in what you did on Saturday, things like this happen, whether in the middle of the day on a crowded street or in the dark of the nights. As I think you are, be careful, think ahead, and travel in groups as much as possible. We are proud; you handled the situation and the aftermath responsibly and with much presence of mind.

One other thing to keep in mind, the effects of these types of experiences can affect you sometimes in subtle ways, other times in dramatic ways, and sometimes after time a fair amount of time has passed. I think they are normal but do not ignore them. I think the best prescription is to talk about your experience, and write about it if you are inclined. However you purge the experience is not importance, just don’t keep it bottled up. Keep an eye out for the warming signs, lethargy, anxiety, lack of motivation, uncommon fatigue. Do not simply dismiss the experience as “no big deal.”

Now, as to the transfer, the transfer was sent 11:14 Am EDT

The number is xxxxxxxxxxx

The amount is for 168,395.65 pesos

If necessary the question is xxxxxxxxxxxxx. xxxxxx?

That’s it for now. Send me a short note when you get this, and another when you get the money. It should have arrived about a half an hour ago.

And as always…..

Love you, miss you, miss you, and take care down there.

Dad

Back from the Heights of Machu Picchu

Hello William,

I assume that you are back from Peru, and the wonders of Cuzco and Machu Pichu. I hope that it was an interesting and exciting trip, although I bet you are exhausted. We will be looking for the photos. How did you make out with the altitude? One of Chris's friends were there recently and told him that Cuzco was higher than Machu Picchu and that he had problems with the altitude in Cuzco but not Machu Picchu. Did they give you any of the magic leaves to chew?

Not too much new here, things are pretty routine, not much new. Everybody is well. The only thing new is that it seems that Gracie is going to India for her semester abroad – that is if she ever tells her parents. She told her parents that she was making arrangements to go abroad but she wasn'€™t going to tell them where; at least not for now. They think it is India because they got a check back for the deposit with India written in the memo field. So, if you run across her online do not let on that you know about it, and who know it may not be correct anyways.

I am at work so this is just a short note to welcome you back to Santiago. I better get back to work.

Love you, miss you, and take care down there,

Dad

Edward Hopper, The Indians, an Irish Pub, and a Death

Saludos Guillermo,

¿Qué tal? Sorry I haven’t written in a few days. Jamie was here. It’s always good to see him, really one of my few true friends. Although, I think we have passed the political arguing stage - it’s too exhausting. The drinking and talking stage is also gone, yet I don’t think Jamie knows that yet. It was good to talk science and politics, and I got him to accept and wear the ‘Impeach Him!’ button. His revulsion at the Bushies is almost as strong as mine. Of course, we all pale in comparison to the venom in your Mother heart for the Republicans. Never accuse your Mother of not taking a position. She gave Jamie a through talking to regarding illegal immigration. You know that story.

We had a good few days with Jamie. I took yesterday off. Jamie and I went to the National Museum of the American Indian and the new Edward Hopper exhibit at the East Wing of the National Gallery. The Hopper exhibit was spectacular – and my fondness for Hopper is not coloring my opinion. It was an experience. I had never seen most of the paintings in the exhibit, only a few really. Nighthawks is famous, I’m sure you have seen it. There is something haunting about his work. It’s all about color, light and loneliness. Enough on art interpretation, you’ll have you own thoughts on the paintings. Sometime when the mood strikes you give Hopper a look – I’m sure you will not regret it.

The National Museum of the American Indian was our second Mall stop; we should have left after the Hopper Exhibit. It was a disappointment; it was so bad that I’m not even sure where to begin. They had very few artifacts, the design was chaotic, and the historical thread non-existent, but why go on. No point in a meticulous description of the bad and ugly. Don’t waste you time; you’ll thank me.

Our last stop was the Dubliner Pub up by Union Station. I had never visited it – it’s been a renowned political hang-out for probably fifty years. Jamie tries to visit it on all his Washington trips. What can I say it was a pub, dark wood, the smell of beer and fried food, the service was good and the beer was cold?

I’ll probably be a year or two before I see him again, but that’s how things go. He keeps me up too late. The night owl in me has retired. I’ve reversed things a bit. I go to bed early, and get up early – usually between three and four. The evening had become a waste, I was too tired to read or write, too tired to even watch decent TV. I would watch crap TV and eat – not a good thing. Now it’s different, I get up, read, write, edit photos, whatever strikes my fancy until it’s time to get Andrew up and ready.

You will still have to be patient regarding your account; I suspect it will still take a couple more weeks to straighten it out. I have had to find a bunch of paper to confirm that the money was yours, and not mine. If we are lucky it will be sooner. I’ve been assure that it will all be resolved. I hope that your money is holding out alright. Please let me know if there is a problem.

Andrew seems to be thriving, he seems to have his nose to the grindstone – well, let’s not go overboard, yet, he does seem to be working. His Eagle project is progressing nicely; he probably will have his project write up done this weekend – if I push. As you can see he did a great poster on Hunter Thompson for his Theory of Knowledge class. He got an ‘A’ on his first AP Stat class of the year. I’m proud of him, he’s working, thinking, and beginning to engage; it’s a pleasure to watch.

I read your last letter to Mom; I empathize with your claustrophobic living situation. As nice as your family seems to be, it’s still a small space and strangers – very different than home and school. Hopefully as the weather improves and the city comes out of the chill of winter you will find some places to hang out and relax.

When I was first in Spain I lived with a woman and her Mother, Conchita and Momma. Conchita reminds me a bit of B****** – she was loud, occasionally boorish; nice but always in your face – a real little Napoleon. Conchita was always trying to get me to pay my traveling companion’s, Mike Sweeny, board – not that he wasn’t paying; she just wanted it in advance. But Mike’s another story, unfortunately he returned from Spain in a box.

Momma could barely hear, one side of her face drooped due to a stroke. I doubt she could see out of her left eye – her left lid only opened a crack. She’d slowly shuffle around the apartment with her walker. You’d hear the bang of the feet of her walker come down on the wooden floor followed by the sounds of her slippers scraping forward.

Hearing and watching them go at one another over the Thursday paella preparation was a sight to behold. Momma’s handicaps didn’t slow her down a bit. It probably was an advantage; she wasn’t distracted by hearing Conchita’s machine gun Spanish at 50 decibels. Two simultaneous tirades going off at full blow – can’t say I understood most of it, but body language is universal, and the paella was great. The thought of paella and un vaso de tinto makes my mouth water.

I was only at Conchita’s for the first summer, after that I paired up with a couple of other students for an apartment at the end of a long subway and bus ride from the University.

We got some bad news yesterday Robin’s mother died. It was expected, she had been gradually slipping away, nevertheless it is hard on them. She had been living in Charlotte with Neil and Robin for the last year or so. Neil had multiple televisions set up in the living room so that she could watch the Steelers while Neil watched the Panther’s. Drop Robin a line - know she would appreciate it; her email is R--@---------.com.

Well, once again it is time to close. Always remember we think of you constantly.

Love you, miss you, and take care down there.

Dad

Western Union Money

William,

This may be obvious, but… You can not use your account until I tell you, so do not put money in your account

Just a reminder, in case you didn’t realize.

Love you, miss you, and take care down there.

Dad

Money Issues

Dear William,

I am sorry about all of this. Your account is also in my name which is what I suspect caused the problems. Anyway, I have wired you $500 to Western Union through American Express. You can pick up the money from any Western Union Office in Chile. There are a couple of offices in Pucon. One is at the Tur Bus LDA, so if you get this before you leave on your bus you will have the money.

The following is what you will need to pick up the money:

1. Your passport – I told them that you passport was made out in the name of XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX – if is not exactly that please let me know right away. They will not release the money to you.

2. At the Western Union Office tell them that you are there to receive money wired to you. They will give you a ‘Receivers Form’ One of the questions will be ‘Sender’ The sender is ‘Mxxxxxxxx Ixxxxxxxxxxx’ where ‘Mercury’ is the first name and ‘International’ is the last name.

3. They will also ask you for the Money Transfer # - it is 4xxxxxxxxx.

4. At that point they should release the money to you.

You are able to pick-up the money at any Western Union location in Chile. They will give you the money in local currency. The address of the Western Union office in Pucon is located at Tur Bus LDA , O’Higgins 448 B Pucon – phone number 56 45443934. If you can not get the money in Pucon before you leave, you can get it in Santiago. Don’t wait until Saturday to try and pick it up. The money is only active there for 48 hours – then we would have to do everything all over again.

If you have any problems you can call American Express Global Assist the number is:

Globe Assist Hotline:

1 800 333-AMEX Toll Free

715 343-7977 Collect

You can call the 715 number collect if necessary; they will accept the charges. The American Express reference number is XXXXXXX. They will assist you, if any problems arise with the transfer.

If you need assistance locating Western Union location go to there web site, here is what I’ve com up with:

Pucon

Western Union Agent locations/Addresses Phone Numbers

TUR BUS LTDA
O HIGGINS 448 B PUCON
PUCON

(56) (45) 443934

---

CORREOS DE CHILE
FRESIA 183
PUCON

(56) (45) 443022

---

CHILEXPRESS S.A.
BDO OHIGGINS 524
PUCON, TEMUCO

(56) (45) 449506

---

TUR BUS
AV. COLO COLO 430
PUCON, PUCON

(56) (45) 443023

Santiago – Providencia

SERVIPAG
HERNANDO DE AGUIRRE 136
PROVIDENCIA
SANTIAGO, REGION METROPOLITANA

(56) (2) 2312658

---

TUR BUS
PROVIDENCIA 1403 LOCAL 35-D
SANTIAGO

(56) (2) 2351713

---

SERVIPAG
ALONSO DE CORDOVA 6045
LAS CONDES
SANTIAGO, REGION METROPOLITANA

(56) (2) 3422161

There are many locations in Santiago, but check there hours or call before you go. You can check the hours through the Western union web site http://www.westernunion.com

Please write back immediately to let me know that you received this email. I will try and call you. I tried tonight but you must have had your phone off, or away from signal and you phone does not have a voice box. If for some reason you can not send email – send it to me through face book.

Again William, I am sorry for the trouble. Also let us know as soon as you receive the money. Be careful carrying all that money, use your money belt. I’m not sure how soon you will be able to use your ATM card; I will let you know as soon as I know.

And finally…

Love you, miss you and take care down there!

Dad

Dictators, Scoundrels and the People Who Love Them

Saludos William,

Greeting from the northern hemisphere; I guess your adventure to the Lake District has begun or is about to begins. Pucon, the destination of the elite the Chilean smart set, the locale of a hell of a party. Sounds like fun; I know you'll have a ball � muy divertido. Are you going for the entire week? From what I can gather, semena patrias lasts the entire week with the 18^th and 19^th as the principal days of the celebration. Take lots of photos. Have a great time, enjoy the fiestas, the beauty of the countryside, and be safe. I won't go into the evils of drinking, but… Be careful.

And now for the news of the Shields clam; your mother is recovering nicely; it's really only a matter of taking the antibiotics. All and all she seems to be doing very well. She hired a new employee today; she was so happy she came home and made herself a margarita. The computer has been repaired, they came to my office within 24 hours of my call; spent about 40 minutes replacing the mother board and they were off. Andrew did not get a part in the play, so sound crew it is for him; probably all for the best, he has his Eagle project, SAT prep, school selection, etc to deal with, not to mention all the excitement of senior year. Jamie Jester will be visiting town for a few days in a week or so.

Mike, the dog with attitude, is insisting more than ever to be treated as a human. Mom continues the battle, but Mike refuses to relinquish his right to use the furniture in the same manner as any other member of the family. He states his case pretty clearly, being the only dog linguist in the family; I serve as interpreter; that is, when I can get a word in edgewise with all the 'Go, go, go!' and 'Bad dog!' Nevertheless, Mike rests his legal case on the American Disabilities Act � the discrimination and intolerance he is subjected to are blatant violations of his basic right to equal treatment. His inability to speak English; and his lack of opposable thumbs in no way vitiates his expectation of equal justice under the law. Whenever the argument gets particularly tense, Mike throws Haley in Mom's face, 'How can you be so hard on me when I am such a model dog compared to Haley?' He has even gone so far as to threaten to bring Jeannie into the argument. I'm not sure where it will end; stay tuned the saga continues.

Since reading your letter, I've been thinking about Pinoche and Allende. I remember the time; I was about your age. It was an exciting time; from a continent away Allende appear to represent hope � he was democratically elected; he represented a breath of refresh air. He promised dramatic change within the confines and the law and constitution, yet that wasn't the whole story, from either side. South America was all dictatorships and oligarchies. Allende represent hope to many, fear to others. He represented a major redistribution of wealth. Pinoche was the defender of the status quo � the true believer in the system of privilege. It was part of the cold war. It happened at the time of Castro's and Che's attempts to turn South America into a revolutionary battleground. The United States feared Soviet advances in the southern hemisphere. Castro wasn't the joke he is today. He was young fresh, and still captured the hope and imagination of the oppressed.

I wish I knew more, I wish I was comfortable with my understanding of the local, national, and international context. What I do know is that it was a manifestation of evil. I don't think that Pinoche viewed himself as an oppressor or monster � yet he was a manifestation of fear � in much the same way that Lou Dobbs represents and speaks for fear. Nonetheless Pinoche was a monster, and evil. You are lucky, you have an opportunity to explore the roots of that evil, gently I hope. It should be an eye opening exploration. Remember that evil by itself is impotent, yet mixed with fear it can be the powerful, it can destroy civilizations and shame an entire people.

Pues nada, hasta el próximo vez.

Love you, miss you, and take care down there.

Dad