The Cathedral in central Guadalajara, Mexico

The main reason why I visited Mexico this time was to condole with my colleagues over the sudden tragic death of Daniel Leon. There is a general sadness.

Daniel was a key man in setting up our successful medical programmes in Mexico, and Marco has arranged for some of his responsibilities to be taken on by our old friend, Dr Jesus Navarro. Jesus is known as “Chewy” – apparently this is universal in Mexico – anyone called “Jesus” gets “Chewy”. The great thing about Chewy is that he can develop something like our Village Clinic programme in indigenous villages around Guadalajara – this will be great for the villagers and a wonderful experience for volunteers. Chewy even speaks the indigenous language, Nahuatl, which is not easy.

I just don’t see how we can have a volcanology programme as such. We used to, but it wasn’t gripping. The volcano was spectacular but volcanologists actually spend most of their time staring at seismographs or analysing pieces of ash or lava in great depth. Volcanoes are exciting places to live and work, especially if they explode from time to time like the Colima volcano, which we’re based right next to at Ciudad Guzman. So we are going to set up an experimental two-week project in 2008 doing a little scientific work, climbing the volcano, doing environmental work and making trails for eco-tourists. I think this will be great – and it will be in the safe hands of Jose Soltero – known as “Joes” and an expert at making didgeridoos and finding ponds to play them by.

Jonatan has had some problem assembling his band recently and has cut a lot of his hair off. However, he is still determined to produce his cd and I’m sure he will. Volunteers and a lot of other people still love him.

Peter Slowe