Stark Differences

I have a few blog entries in the works, but in the meantime, I wanted to comment on the stark differences between Caracas and Cleveland... Before you think "this is going to be another profound blog entry," I invite you to look at the following pictures. This has to be my favorite "stark difference" ever!

January in Cleveland

January in Caracas! :-D

Baseball in Venezuela

I was watching some of the New York Time's videos on YouTube and this one about baseball in Venezuela came up randomly! It's true, in baseball, the game is what matters. I hope to go to a game soon!

Spreading Christmas Joy in Caracas

Santa with the awesome kids from Casa de Ana

A couple of weeks ago, I was privileged enough to be invited to help out at the Christmas party at Casa de Ana, a children’s home located in Hoyo de la Puerta, outside of Caracas proper. It is a center for children who have had some sort of problem with the legal system, whether they directly or not cause it. Currently there are 18 boys living at this home being cared for by a Venezuelan couple, who have three children of their own living with them as well. Rotary Club Petare visits the home once a month, donates food items, and visits with the children. From the moment I walked in, I could tell that this wasn’t like any children’s home I had ever been in, even taking into account the unusual excitement that it was time for the Christmas party. The boys were extremely friendly, inquisitive, respectful and appreciative of everything. I got more hugs than I thought possible in the first ten minutes I was there.

Me with a couple of my new buddies (and to think, the boy in red wouldn't even talk for the first part of the party- seeing that smile made my day!)

Santa arrived soon after and gave out presents that the local Rotary Clubs had donated. The boys reveled over their new long-sleeved shirts, jeans and stuffed animals, and then carefully placed them on their respective beds and returned to the party.

Carefully opening up their presents.

One of the more comical moments happened when Santa (who is, as unlikely as it seems, a Zumba fitness instructor) brought a boy over and sat him on his knee. He then asked him what he would do with the next present if his friend or his sibling liked it as well. The boy answered that he would share it with that person, of course. It turned out that Santa didn’t know that the next gift was one you really shouldn’t share- underwear!



Then there was dancing and singing, and finally the food started to come out and we set up a feast for everyone. I had brought enough oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to feed an army and there were platters of quail eggs, special Christmas ham and raisin bread, Christmas chicken salad and other delectable dishes. The boys waited patiently for their turns to fill their plates and seemed to enjoy every last bite.

Anxiously awaiting the feast.

I was so inspired by the attitude of everyone there that I have decided to return to the home with activities of my own. Because everyone liked the cookies I made, I would like to return with supplies and help them to bake their own cookies. Also, because of the boys’ motivation to learn English and my experiences in Spain teaching English to children of their age, I plan to go back and spend a morning teaching them English songs and games. Ideally, this will happen in February.

This visit was, for me, what Christmas is all about. I can't wait to keep up the Christmas spirit in the coming months. :)

My First Impressions

Because I am a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar, I am required to write a report a few months into my experience about the year so far. It was a learning experience for me to try to summarize up over 3 months of intense feelings, experiences and events. Here are my unedited thoughts. I welcome commentary, as it may help me to understand Caracas even better.

My first impressions of Venezuela and its people have been varied. I was, in part, pleasantly surprised by how much help has been offered to me in the little time that I have been there. No petition for assistance went unheeded. In my opinion, there isn’t a “typical Venezuelan” person. The racial and cultural differences in the population are fascinating; walking through Caracas and observing the people is akin to sitting in a park in New York City and watching the people go by. The Venezuelans that I have met, for the most part, have been very warm, happy people and have invited me into their families and homes with open arms.

Lunch with Rotary Las Mercedes President Pedro, wife Gina and daughter Nevai

Giving a Rotary Club of Cleveland pen to my awesome host counselor, Katy.

However, many Venezuelans have told me that in recent years, the people haven’t been as optimistic or open as they once were; some blame the government, others blame globalization, still others blame the economic recession. The people are extremely divided in their opinions of the government, and it is not uncommon for anti- and pro-government groups to clash. One of my goals for the rest of the year is to speak with more of the pro-government people, as most of the people I have met through my university tend to lean towards anti-government sentiments.

A pro-Chavez, anti-USA sign and sticker I saw outside of the UCV's library.

Everyone has their own reasons for these changes and divisions in attitudes, opinions and behaviors, but everyone seems to agree that safety is a problem in Caracas today. I have received many warnings not to go to certain parts of town, leave my house alone after a certain time, etc. It can be frustrating for me sometimes to not feel comfortable leaving my house after 6PM when I have errands to run or I need to meet up with a classmate, but I have found ways around it. It’s just another aspect of life in the big city that I have to adjust to.

On a more positive note, Venezuela itself is a beautiful country. In Caracas, there is artwork everywhere, parks abound and the variety of birds is astounding. I have a fascination with the brightly colored macaws that fly free in pairs over the city. I can hear them at 5:30AM when I get up for class, rawking and waking everyone up; much different than the roosters we’re used to hearing at that hour! El Ávila, a beautiful mountain that can be seen to the north from any part of Caracas, boasts many trails to climb up and cable cars to ascend for an easier trip up.

At the keys off the coast of Venezuela with my Venezuelan "brother," Goldsmidt

I took a weekend trip to the beach, in the state of Falcon, and was impressed by the beauty of the islands off the coast of the country. I attended an all-day free music festival hosted by the government and the energy in the crowd was electric and very positive. At the UCV, there is always a wide variety of theater and dance shows offered every week. The Aula Magna, as the theater is called, is well known in all of Latin America for its superior acoustic qualities. I attended a modern version of the Nutcracker ballet, with flamenco dancers and stilt walkers and a dialogue by the Venezuelan actress, Elba Escobar. Groups of aspiring jugglers, dancers and friends get together after class and on the weekends outside of the theater.

I couldn't resist posting this picture. Terry the ferocious puppy set it up all by himself. He finally tired of jumping up and trying to get on my bed after I ignored him. The next time I looked down at him, this was what I saw-note the placement of his toy...what a goofball! He's definitely my favorite Venezuelan puppy!

I'm looking forward to seeing what 2010 has to bring!