The cost of living in Lima

A chocolate bar - 8p. Twenty five minute bus ride to work - 20p. A can of beer - 37p. Lunch of fresh fish with rice and veg - 65p. Taxi ride to work - ₤1.30 (and I'm more than likely being ripped off at that). Cinema - ₤2.50. 100 channel cable TV - ₤9 per month. Rent on a two bed flat on the penultimate floor of a highrise with a swimming pool on the roof in the equivalent of Chelsea - ₤215 per month. The warm welcome I've received from my colleagues and adopted Peruvian family - priceless. [Apologies to Mastercard.]

Mr Fix It

Small differences between life in a top tier bank in one of the financial capitals of the world and life in a non profit organisation in a developing country. Here we have a geezer who deals with everything. Need copies made of the keys to your flat, Juan's your man. Need a local mobile phone number, Juan's your man. Need a new battery for your laptop, Juan's your man. Need someone to "kindly" ask your landlord to lower the rent, Juan's your man. Ok, so the last one's a slight exaggeration. But where was this guy when I needed him in London?