Sunday, April 16, 2006

Last week I thought I had dreamt it, but yesterday 'Coffee with Julio' an opinion and investigative journalism themed programme was on again.
TV generated in Cusco is grainy, unprofessional and often unintentionally hilarious, props fall over, links are missed and the image fade has not reached the Imperial City yet.
'Coffee with Julio' is different, for all the blurry vision and hand held camera work, the opinionated lawyer is gripping viewing.
Railing against the ludicrous bureaucracy of Cusco, he passes a line that normally never gets passed in Peru.
Generally speaking people from Cusco are passively arrogant, sure enough, they go on their protest marches but are soon back home moaning about the victimisation of the city from the false capital of Lima.
Julio is anything but passive, last week he present a furious filmed report about the amount of dog and human muck on the streets, a few too many close ups for me, but a point well made.
He has a huge problem with the local mayor who he describes as being a member of the Mafia and an idiot.
The vast amounts of tourist money that flood into Cusco are being siphoned off by the local council so that the leaders can live in comfort in the suburbs, he contests.
Best of all this week he and his video camera went to the council offices on Wednesday to find them closed to celebrate the birthday of the mayor, 'who do you think you are' he asked, eyes popping, 'some sort of feudal lord?'.
He also revealed that the mayor's brother built all of the stands in the black market - at a pretty price, and questioned why the the anniversary of said market was marked with a massive party - guest of honour - the mayor.
In a country as corrupt as Peru, people like Julio rarely put their head above the parapet but when they do the result is jaw dropping entertainment.

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