~ Spiritual Splash ~

Yes, quite some time has elapsed since the ~ Fruits and Delights of Venezuela ~ blog. Please excuse my hiatus which translates into a mother-load of amazing stories and pics that I am waiting to share with everyone!

As in many countries around the world Venezuela inaugurates the start of the Lent season with Carnaval, which traditionally was a period to indulge in temptations and pleasures before leading a sanctified life during the 40-day fast for Lent, in honor of the death of Christ.

After a 9-hour overnight bus ride I landed in Carupano which has a well-known reputation for Carnaval. This laid back fishing port town completely transforms during the day and night for Carnaval!

No suprise here that the ladies and their costumes are the showstoppers during Carnaval! Others did receive a bit of show time as well....there were a few public service oriented floats like the "Save our Planet" one below. The guy on stilts was in high demand for photo-opts with the little ones:+)

To really experience the rhythm and spirit check out the video for more Carnaval in Carupano here is the link.

After a few days of non-stop dancing, eating, and spending time with the family, the 40-day Lent season kicks in, followed by "Semana Santa" (week of the saint) which is the Latin American version of "Holy Week".

All throughout Venezuela from the smallest towns to the big hustling city of Caracas "Semana Santa" is celebrated, which honors the crucification and resurrection of Christ for 3-days, with a mixture of candlelight vigils, singing, parades, and an assortment of unique styles and inspirations that each celebration brings.

Of course I had to experience "Semana Santa" in my home-away-from-home San Jose (Barlovento), Venezuela. This was not just any typical 90-degree humid San Jose night the whole town came out shoulder-to-shoulder, candle-to-candle, and purpled out!

I am so grateful to Amanda and her family for guiding me around during the 6+ hour procession but thank goodness Amanda's lil' ones - Natalie and Jesus - got tired of walking so we cut out on the 4th hour:+)

Enjoy my video footage of Semana Santa at this link.

We have now arrived to Easter (Palm Sunday) in Venezuela and there are actually real mother-earth grown palms! It is a tradition in Caracas (the capitol) for the men to travel a few hours outside of the city to Barlovento (yes just where we spent Semana Santa) to collect palms for Palm Sunday which are seen throughout the Easter church services.

    

A couple of the Palmeros

Just to extend our ~ Spiritual Splash ~ in Venezuela a bit more we'll now return to San Jose (Barlovento) to attend the celebration of their town saint, San Jose! 

Explore and enjoy more of the Santa "San Jose" celebration click on the following links: click for link #1, click for link #2, click for link #3.

Lil' Quickie: Although over 90% of the Venezuelan population is Catholic the Santeria religion also has a major stronghold in the society. After having a Santeria reading for myself I realized that I don't always want to know what the future holds:+) Her spiritual tobacco readings were so on POINT!

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Political Culture

Que Pasa?

~ Venezuela celebrated its 200th Independence Day in April with exorbitant fanfare and participation from millions of Venezuelans from all sectors of the society. Presidential support from Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba, and Ecuador were in full attendance for the political and cultural extravaganza!

~ Canidates are gearing up steam for the upcoming parliamentary elections at the end of September to elect 167 deputies to the National Assembly, the legislative branch of the Venezuelan government. ~

~ Venezuela provides substantial support to Haitian earthquake survivors (also to Chile) but the million dollar question is - For how long can Venezuela provide assistance to Haiti? ~

Latest Issues

~ A major law is currently being decided on how the Venezuelan government will control the "international bond trading" aka "the exchange rate" and buttress the capitalistic driven world economy. There are currently 2 heavily competing systems in Venezuela - governmental & black market - with the black market rate exchanging 1:8 (USD:Bolivares). This translates to fear among US bank account holders (both foreigners and many Venezuelans) for the possibility of a substantial decrease of the USD and/or sanctions against the black market, which despite the name is the market legitimate businesses and international bond exchange use. Until the law is passed all international monetary exchanges are suspended - we are in the 2nd week of the suspension period! ~

~ International relations with Russia to continue trading and military partnerships and more recently with China to increase technology enterprises are thriving stronger. ~

Mo’ Info: http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/ (pro-Chavez); http://english.eluniversal.com/ (maybe anti-Chavez)

Best sources are in Spanish let me know if your interested!***************************************************

~ Abrazos ~

Soljourner

~ Fruits & Delights of Venezuela ~

After only being in my new homeland for going on two months, with a retreat back to the US after the first month for a well needed holiday break as most of you know, I’ve already embraced a few of the Venezuelan cooking traditions of preparing homemade 'arepas’ (corncake-like sandwich) and preparing the sweet smelling and zesty citrus taste of ‘parchita' (passion fruit)....next on my list is ‘guayaba’ (guava)!

Before uncovering the secret but so simple recipe to prepare ‘arepas’ you could count on finding me at the local neighborhood ‘Arepa’ restaurant/homefront (multipurpose uses of homes for business/residence is a common sight). I was told that Madonna made a special trip to Venezuela just to indulge in the ooohhh soooo tasty ‘arepas’ which are typically served for breakfast but there are many 24-hour ‘Arepa’ restaurants to satisfy ‘arepa’ desires at any hour! Vegetarians we have 4 choices eggs - chicken or quail, avocado, beans or cheese....everyone else select the meat of your delight!

While kicking back enjoying your ‘arepas’, tropical fruit juices, political discussions or just wandering the city, which are a few of my favorite pastimes :-D you will without doubt feel dwarfed by the majestic mountain ranges that surround most – if not all – the cities here…

You are peering into the city/mountain cascades of Maracay, Venezuela - my first home - which is 2.5 hours west of the capitol Caracas where I am currently living.

The farthest and darkest mountain range is the Henri Pittier National Rainforest which is known for its exotic and migratory birds…so get your bird watching eyes ready!!!

You can reach the foothills of the mountains by walking in 30 – 45 minutes…transcend the mountain by a car/bus or motorcycle if your fearless on the single road with roller-coaster curves in about 1 – 1.5 hours…but on the other side of the mountain a paradise of beaches await you…there are a countless number of beaches that you can explore or even be escorted to by a short boat ride for more secluded beach bathing or surfing…I’ll have to include these in my biweekly beach visits...

Since my photos were lost (beware of $10 pocket cameras) of the ‘Playa Grande’ (Big Beach) in Choroni, Venezuela I co-opted this pic from Google…and yes it is even more breath taking when your feet reach these sandy shores…..

Let me know when your ready to make your own footprints!!!

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Political Culture

Que Pasa?
~ Venezuelans from all walks of life are very vocal about their government regardless of affiliation - supporter, opponent, or partial supporter ~
~ Typically upper class against Chavez & poorer communities support Chavez but there is also sizable percentage of people that do not fit into these categories ~

Latest Issues
~ Recent Water & Electricity Rationings which vary greatly depending on the city or even the building u live in – debate if b/c environmental constraints and/or governmental negligence ~
~ T.V. channel switched from public to cable station – debate if b/c public station policies and/or anti-Chavez sentiment aired on station ~

Mo’ Info: http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/ (pro-Chavez); http://english.eluniversal.com/ (maybe anti-Chavez)

Best sources are in Spanish let me know if your interested!***************************************************

~ Abrazos ~

Soljourner

p.s. Sorry pictures of the mini-dragon (aka - 4 foot iguana) that crossed my path and inflated its head and stared me down as if I was a predator did not come out...there may be other encounters and I'll be ready (1st thought won't be to run the next time around...hopefully)!!!