Meet Venezuela

Merida is totally rockin´ once again. We have been working with a local organization that focuses on social issues. They do HIV/AIDS campaigns, gay rights campaigns, children´s rights, women´s rights, etc. We did a workshop on human rights with several venezuelan youth. It was cool to see how in many areas we are working on the same issues in both countries but also important to see where each country has either done better or worse than the other. Right now they are doing a summer camp for 5-12 y/o kids and we are helping out with that. Its fun but kind of overwhelming because there are 130 of them. The kids are super curious about us and what we do and they are always asking me how to say things in English. I am going to be teaching them some camp songs that we know, but they have a whole ton of songs that they all sing together. I definitely feel right in my element when I am with them and its making me really happy to be here.

Unfortunately I have some sort of stomach problem that is slowing me down a little bit. I am hoping to get over it in the next couple of days so that I am back up to speed.

I am trying to catch up with the friends I made here a couple of weeks ago. The colombian girl and the guy from Greece have already found me a couple of times. Also, an artist friend ran into me when I was out with the delegation. I feel like I know the whole town ;)

I can´t believe how much I am learning, the delegation is totally blowing away my expectations. I knew it would be great but I never could have hoped for such great people to work with and awesome places to be. Yesterday was the most powerful experience because it was a culmination of everything that has been going on in the last couple of days. We had spent a lot of time in the barrio getting to know how community organizations are working and talking to people about how the revolution is changing their lives. This group of young people got together and applied for a govt grant to take over this ruined space below the barrio. They got several old train cars and converted them into offices and a stage. They even got a old truck and turned it into a transportable radio. They are working with the local youth to keep them off the streets and give them a creative outlet. Kids can come play music, take lessons, make grafitti, or propose their own project. I was rather inspired. Then, yesterday morning we went to this NGO that fights for children´s rights. I think that is something we have taken for granted in the US because most kids are in generally safer situations. We walked in on this group of like 20 high school age kids, all from low income or risky households, who were putting together a play. They wanted us all to introduce ourselves (we are 12 women from all over the country) and say something we were concerned about for the children in the US. Then, they all spoke so eloquently about their goals as an organization and what they are learning. There was so much positive and hopeful energy in that room and when we all started applauding eachother for the work we are all doing, I started to cry. One of the leaders of our group is walking around with a video camera and he caught me in one of the most emotional moments of my life. I was so filled with joy for what they are doing and pain for the reasons that they have to work so hard. They are breaking down old social norms and creating the world that they want to live in. It took me all day to recover but I still really enjoyed the other organizations we visited. In the evening a couple of other girls, our leaders, and I went to a park to watch a movie and take part in a community debate about international trade agreements. Afterwards we went and had beers with our friends from the music/grafitti place and I got to know some more great people.

Today we went to see this municipality within the city of Caracas where the opposition runs the govt. It was impressive to see how they have been able to enforce laws and make huge changes in the community. They use the system that Chavez has set up but they staunchly oppose his policies. Clear opinions were scarce but the successes were obvious. There is less fear of police, less crime, fewer street dwellers, and better health and education. It was important to see success in the opposition. Then, we went to the US embassy and met with reps. It was fascinating to say the least and it made me realize why people do not understand Venezuela. What we have experienced on the street has been very different from what they said they found on the street. What we saw as positive aspects of participatory democracy, they saw as threats to representative democracy. It was also important to hear their opinion although we ended up in a rather large debate at the end. Now I am going to chill for a little while with my friend because I need a break from all this thinking. Tonight we have to prepare for a television appearance we will make in the morning. I am secretly hoping that plan will fall through because I really dont want to be on TV. much love to all.

I made it to the delegation! The last time I checked in, I was super nervous about making it to Plaza Venezuela to meet up with the delegation. Alan, my friend, was being super slow about getting things done and it took us forever to leave his neighborhood. His mom washed my clothes for me while we ate breakfast, then we went to the centro to say goodbye to my Belgian friends but they ended up coming with us back to the barrio, then we got stuck in a market for a really long time because we all wanted to buy music and I needed some clothes. Finally, we made it back to Alan's house to say goodbye to everyone. Alan's mom was so sweet but in a really religious way. She rubbed holy oil on my hands and forehead so that I would be strong in actions and mind. I was touched by the ceremony but it was awkward when she kept trying to tell me to spread the word of god to my friends and family in the US. She even emphasised that I should pray a LOT for our president because he has done so many wretched things. Anyway, we then took a lot of pictures with Alan's cousins who were super nice to me the whole time and ran to the internet place. At that point, Alan started going in slow motion and it was getting dark. I was supposed to be at the hotel before sundown but it was already beyond that when we made it to the plaza. Then, we got lost for like 1/2 an hour and I got pissed. Finally we made it to the hotel and there wasn't even anyone there. I felt relieved that everyone else was later than I was. That night I went out with the Belgian guys and Alan and 2 other Venezuelan friends. It was kind of a las hurrah because now I am into the serious mode of the delegation. The girls are really fun and we all have a lot in common. The leaders are amazing, smart, and energetic. ok, we are going out to breakfast now, so hasta luego.

I just finished a crazy week here in Caracas. Tonight I am going to meet the other members of the human rights delegation. Im both excited and nervous.

This past week I have been staying with a friend in a barrio called Catia. Its been really good to get to know the barrio life and Ive met amazing people. They have taught me a lot about politics and about life. I went to one of the centers where Chavez has been creating jobs and building hospitals and schools. I then realized that I will be returning to that same spot with the delegation but oh well. I spent a lot of time in the downtown area seeing museums (which were rather awful) and parks. My friends from Belgium met up with me and we went to a socialist party branch. The party is like a union that organizes workers in a socialist fashion. I had to be the interpreter and it was really hard. The guy talked really fast and had very complicated things to communicate. It all worked out in the end and he invited us to his friends house to drink beers. Everyone got pretty silly which was nice after an entire afternoon of intense conversation. We all danced and ate food (I ate way too much meat and now I feel sick) until some assholes started circling the house on their motorcycles. Alan, my friend, said that they had spotted my belgian friends and wanted to rob them. One of the socialist comrades threw a bottle at them for no apparent reason and they came back with a gun. Then the cops showed up and we had to hide out in the house for a while. Everything turned out fine but I was surprised that it happened. Now I am off to the delegation.

Woah, what adventures I have gotten into since the last time I logged in! Nicole came back and moved in with me and the two other guys in Merida. It was really nice to get her back. I met this really sweet guy and he took us around everywhere for the next couple of days. We went to this place called the valley where they make these special little cheese filled pastries and sweet wine and they grow trout that you can catch yourself and have cooked in front of you. We also did a lot of soccer watching and dancing and I met this kid´s family. His name is Gabriel and he lives in the barrio on the outskirts of the city. It was cool to get his perspective on things because he comes from a tough situation. He has gotten really involved in the government organizations in his community and has received health care from the Cubans that live nearby. It was also interesting to see his house and meet his family. They were all difficult to understand until I asked them to talk a bit more slowly. Then they were really friendly and shared everything they had with me. We were watching the finals of the American Cup and they shared their sangria and food. By the end of the night, Gabriel and I went and bought this huge box of beer to share with everyone. It was a really good feeling. Gabriel also took me to a consejo communal where people debate community issues - great info for my project. I ended up getting sick from the cold weather there and not sleeping very much so I had to lay low for a whole day. At night we got on a bus for Barquisimeto. Gabriel called his uncle and he invited us to stay with his family there. It was really nice of them because they live out in los ranchos where everyone is poor and things are pretty desperate. However, I learned ALOT there about how Chavez´s polcies are really working. I will have to write more about that later because my time on the computer is out. Right now we are in Coro, close to the coast, so we will be on the beach a few days before our return to Caracas aka chaos. much love

Its been awesome in Merida despite a few crazy incidents. I have been staying with 2 gay guys from Belgium and we´ve been doing all of our activities with these 2 guys from Spain. Ive gotten a little tired of their sense of humor just because its 4 guys trying to be better than one another and getting all macho. We went to some great tourist destinations though - a huge tram that goes to the top of the highest peak in Venezuela (se llama pico bolivar), to the top of another mountain where it was like 4 degrees C and foggy, and to all the museums in the city. The Belgian guys seem to have some bad luck because they are always losing things or getting them stolen. The other night, we were walking back to the hotel from a bar and 4 guys came running up to us with a gun and 2 knives and told us to give them all our money. I was just carrying a little bit of cash but Jan got out his wallet and they took all of his money and his ID card. It was a really intense moment - the first time I have ever been robbed. We went into the bar that we were next to and found our Spanish friends. I told them what had happened and soon the word spread. Many people came up to me and apologized and said they hoped that I didn´t let those fools ruin my experience in Merida. I asked if I should tell the police but everyone was convinced that they wouldn´t be able to do anything and that maybe the police would just start asking us for money. Its definitely true that the police are the most corrupt officials in Venezuela. One girl that I met really opened up to me and told me that she had been raped by her brothers friends but knew if she went to the police they would accuse her of prostitution. I am just hoping that I never have to have an interaction with the police. Everyone here has been overwhelmingly friendly and very willing to talk to me about politics and democracy. Everyone has a strong opinion here in Merida because it is one of the richest states with a large number of opposition members (that is anti-chavez) but there are also many poor farming communities in the mountains. They have been telling me that opposition members are constantly complaining about Chavez until a representative from the national government comes, or the copa america comes, and then everyone puts on a mask so that the government will give them money. In the local newspapers there are countless articles about community works and what the students are up to. Its a key region for agriculture because they grow the most carrots, garlic, trout and potatoes in the country. It is also a very popular tourist destination. For these reasons, most of the community works go toward improving roads and other means of transportation. We have been going out to watch all the soccer games in la copa america. The finals are tonight and I must admit that I´m done sitting around with a bunch of drunk guys. Last night there were 2 women in their 40s who were at the bar and they kept watching me so I went to go say hello. We shared a feminist moment and they invited me to their home (they are sisters) for lunch today. It was good to feel some female solidarity because Ive found it really hard to meet women. Luckily, Nicole came back from the Amazon last night and now she is staying with us too. The Spanish guys went on their way and now it is the 4 of us - the 2 belgian guys, nicole, and I. Its a much better dinamic than it was before. I think Nicole and I may head out to Barquisimeto and then go into this desert region near a city called Coro. In the final days before Nicole goes back to the US, we will spend a little more time on the beach so that she is nice and tan upon her return. I will then meet the Belgian guys in Caracas so that we may go to this socialist organization that we just realized we are all a part of. In Seattle it is called Socialist Alternative but it has branches all over the world. The guys are trying to get to know this branch in Venezuela in order to report about it at their international socialist summer school in Belgium. No one at the Venezuelan branch speaks english and my friends dont speak spanish, so I guess I will get to practice my interpretation skills. Right now I am going to my favorite vegetarian cafe to study and write and drink lots of coffee :) Then I will go cheer for Argentina in the finals and be satisfied that Mexico got 3rd place. BESOS para todos

We finally made it to Merida after an extensive stay on a rasta beach. It was so fun we just could not leave. We met a couple of girls from new york and decided to pool our resources to make the room cheaper. We ended up paying about $2 a night for a nice little place. The beach was gorgeous and we climbed mountains that looked out over the surrounding beaches. We also found this cave where there were little sea creatures chillin out. We went there 2 days in a row to watch the sun rise. There were tons of artists that would hang out on the board walk sort of place right against the water and we went there to play hacki sack and meet people. There were people from all over the world. My favorites were a couple of colombians, an argentine, and the four dudes I am travelling with now. 2 are from spain and the other two from belgium. Nicole, my travel partner headed to the amazon on this planned trip that I didn´t want to pay for. It makes more sense to stay here where I am meeting people to interview. My professor lives here and I am trying to get in contact with him today. Its a really beautiful mountainous city and we are planning day trecks to hot springs and up in a tram. Last night, on the over night bus, we went through this area called los llanos and there was nonstop lightning. I remember that someone had told me about it before but it was super impressive. It litterally woke me up because of all the flashing light in the distance. Well, I also may have been awoken by the severe cold of the bus - for some reason they keep the AC super high all night long. I´ll stay posted on how my interviews go, but other than that I think its going to be a chill time here in MERIDA:

We are still around the Caracas area because the guy from the hotel convinced us to stay by offering to be our tour guide. His name is Alan and he knows the area really well. Yesterday we went into Caracas via microbus. A year and a half ago there were torrential rains and it wiped out a large area of barrios and a huge bridge. Something like 10,000 people died and tons more lost their homes. On our way into the city, we saw how they were still recovering and we passed over the new bridge that was just inaugurated a week ago. When we looked deep into the valley below the bridge, we could see the old road that people had been using since the disaster. I imagine it WAY longer to get into the city because it was only 2 lanes (and super curvey) and the bridge was 6.

Anyway, we got dropped off right in the downtown area and went around to see the national palace and the central plaza. We checked out a couple of book stores and drank a coffee (riquisimo). At that point I think our guide was a little bored so he offered to take us out to play pool. The music in this bar was so loud that I could hardly hear anything when we walked out. It was a really nice time though because we got to know Alan a lot better. Then we headed back to the hotel because he had to work at 8pm.

This morning we didn´t get an early enough start to make it to Choroni before nightfall, so we headed a little farther east to check out the beaches where Alan lives with his family. It took us a solid hour to get here but it was worth it because the beaches are like nothing I have ever seen. There are quite a few people but its like everyone just stopped whatever they were doing to go dive in before they go back to work or school or whatever. Its great. We just ate lunch and plan to spend the afternoon by the pool.

So far, its all about travelling, so I really need to get down to finding interviews. For those of you who don't know, I'm doing a research project about democracy and the state of politics in Venezuela. I plan to interview as many people as I can (at least 15) about how they feel about democracy and politics here with Chavez. I just gotta make a final draft of my questions.

We arrived in Caracas last night to find that our chofer had retired for the evening. So, we found a registered taxi and headed for the hotel. After a really awkward conversation with the front desk, we thought we would stay in for the night. However, seeing as it was Nicole´s birthday and it was only midnight, we ventured out to talk to the guys in the lobby. They have already taught us a lot about how to speak venezuelan spanish and they offered to take us to the beaches today. However, we are on a tight budget and can´t afford to stay another night so we are taking off to a smaller town ASAP. So, I´m off for now. Just remember: no news is good news ;)

In a matter of hours I will be bording the plane. This part is not the most exciting. Please, stay tuned for the exciting news to come.