Day 4

If I could dump out everything that I've seen in the past few days in a uniform fashion, I would. Desafortunadamente, no es posible. Internet access has (obviously) been scarce and I expect that it will be this way for the next 4 months, but whatever. It's not as important as I thought it would be. One thing I’m realizing is that so many things that I mentally place in the “necessary” category, aren’t so. How could I ever live amongst a community of people who don’t have many of the things that I don’t bat an eye over, and even make a face about a lack of hot water, internet access, or telephones? Sobreviviré, sin duda. I guess that’s a part of unlearning things about yourself and about your surroundings. Half of the time, it’s really just not that serious.

 But anyway, where am I?

 We left Caracas 2 days ago after spending 1 night in a small hotel minutes from the airport. I wish I could’ve stayed for a few more days and explored the capital. But I’ll be back. Immediately we began what seemed like a 5 hour bus ride through the mountains all the way to the Northern coast—to Barlovento region. I guess it’s necessary to talk about this ride, because my goodness, how beautiful yet unappealing at the same time. There’s nothing more breathtaking than the view of the mountains in Venezuela. What seemed like a never ending horizon of hills, dark clouds, and winding roads was also supplemented with waves upon waves of los barrios—the small communities of squatter houses. 

La ciudad Higuerote, my new home (feel free to google ‘Higuerote’ right about now).

 Higuerote is the small capital city (and perhaps the most commercial and urban of this region), composed of both cute little apartments and slums. As far as the beach is concerned, I’ve never been more grateful for it. This is my first time touching the Caribbean Sea, please God don’t let it be the last.

We had the opportunity to visit this paradise last night with a few new friends that we made while having dinner in Rio Chico, maybe 35 minutes from our apartments. We met some great locals students and I feel much more at ease with speaking Spanish. I guess all it takes is being pushed into a situation where you have no choice.

Also, I’m surprised at how much of an urge young people feel to learn English here. Even with 6 months to a year of English instruction, these kids are excellent. It’s kind of a slap in the face to the millions of American students who’ve been taking foreign languages since 8^th grade but haven’t mastered a second (or third language). The thirst for knowledge here is overwhelming. Speaking of which, I have to tell you about the University.