Chao Venezuela :(

This morning I went to the clinic in San Felix to follow around Dr. Luz. Beth went with Jack to go visit one of our friends at her school. I wanted to go with them sooo bad, but I knew I would have regretted not experiencing the medical aspect in Venezuela. Dr. Luz was very busy so one of the nurses there gave me a tour of the place. Even though I told her unpoco espanol she had no choice but to explain everything in spanish to me. I just nodded my head and went along with her. I got to sit in on one of the nursing classes. They were studying farmalogica. I understood some of the notes even in espanol. Such as the process of a drug...absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion. haha Then I was lead to a room of one of the supervisors there. We sat in the little room together. I was probably in there for over an hour and a half. She did not speak english. We semi communicated. I had to whip out my notebook so we could write our words out to try and understand. One girl came in with her baby to be immunized. The girl looked about 16 or 17, which is not uncommon around here. I did get asked today if I had any babies or a husband. Nope. Another girl came into get some blood drawn. Other than that there was not much going on in the room I was in. I then went back to Dr. Luz's office area to wait for her. In the mean time the secretary and two other woman invited me to sit with them for lunch. They were so kind to make me a plate made up of things from their lunches. The combination was excellent! It was very good. We could not speak much to each other, it still ended up being a good time. When Dr. Luz came back she spoke english, so she could translate. She told me that she was supervisor of 65 different clinics! She is a very very busy woman. She also said that a doctor like herself only makes $300 a month! That was an instant jaw dr0pper. I couldn't believe it. I admire her for her desire to do what she does. When I got back Beth and I were able to share about our day. It sounds like Beth and Jack were looked upon as celebrities at the school they went to. I guess they had Jack singing Love Story by Taylor Swift. I am so bummed I missed out on a Taylor Swift jam :( haha Oh and I also had a Venezuelan perro caliente (hot dog) tonight. There is a vendor right across the street from us. Beth has gotten one before and tonight I had just realized that I had not. I couldn't have left with out getting one, as I had heard they were the best. They really were amazing! I don't even like hot dogs all that much, but I'll make an exception for these. Well, now I sit in bed on my last night here in San Felix,Venezuela. Wow has the time gone by fast! I am soooo excited to go home, but I am also sad to leave this place. I have definitely opened a spot in my heart for this country and for the people here. Our flight leaves to Caracus around 3 tomorrow and then we will be staying overnight there and leaving for the U.S. the next day. I am excited to spend a little time in Caracus. I am forever grateful for this experience, and will always keep the Venezuelan's in my prayers. Chao Venezuela...please don't forget about me.

Jugar La Mano Baseball!

Today was overall just a great day :) This morning Beth and I went over to the home for street boys for the first time. We had been meaning to, but it never worked out. We arrived just in time for their morning prayer. It was so cool to listen to them all go around and offer up their intentions. I had no idea what they were saying, but it was still great to hear. Oh and the home for street boys is a home that houses 9 boys right now. The woman who runs it literally finds the boys living on the street and brings them in. It's so sad but it can be a common thing around here. Either the parents just leave the kids or in a lot of cases I have been told the mom's new boyfriend doesn't like the kids, so he makes the mom leave them. So that is the kind of background the boys we visited came from. It made me sad, but honestly I couldn't even tell. These boys were sooo much fun and full of energy! They have pretty strict schedules they follow. We got in on their morning chores with them. We did a little scubbing and sweeping. There were also two tutors from the university that were there working with some of the boys. After cleaning we visited. Next thing I know I hear loud music coming from the backyard. Sure enough they brought speakers back there and were ready to teach us how to play hand baseball. The woman at the home turned down the music a bit ;) I have never been good at baseball and even with hand baseball I was not great either. We literally hit the ball with our hand. They had no gloves or bats. It was so cool to see them enjoy this game without (what I thought) was necessary gear. Beth and I ended up playing on opposing teams. It was sooo hot out there that one time she gave me permission to get her out haha. We had alot of fun. Beth whipped out some of her impressive hand stands and one of the boys taught her how to do a one handed one. I caught one of the boys trying to do the splits, so I was able to go along with him. Then, later in the afternoon we went with Jack (one of the boys from MN living down here) to Jenny's (the amazing cook here) house. It was her husband's birthday. They are from Guyana which is an English speaking country, so everyone there spoke english. What a rare occasion! We just sat up on the roof and spoke with them all. They love talking about U.S. politics which is not one of my specialties, but I am getting better. I was impressed with how aware they are on what is going on in our country. Oh and I must add the meal Jenny made (which I was very excited for) was delicious!! I had duck for the first time and I really liked it. Oh and yesterday Fr. Greg took us out to eat at a seafood place and I tried calamari (not sure how to spell) for the first time. It was very good. Maybe I am just a bit deprived haha I guess it tastes way better down here though, so I might not like it back home. Then tonight we went over to one of the family's for a going away party for one of their family members who is going back to MN with his wife and baby. It was sad because I had to say goodbye to the the girls there. I am not sure if I will see them before I leave. I can't believe we only have a few days left here!!

No Suerte!

Sorry it has been a while since I have updated on here and I wish I could say it was because of service, but these last two days we have been swimming, fishing, and shopping!!! First I'll start off with our fishing experience two days ago. So, we get up at 5 am to go fishing. We get there and they can't start the motor! We are dead tired, but were very patient. I can now say that I have seen a Venezuelan sunrise which was BEAUTIFUL! I'll say that getting up early was worth it. Fishing was no go that day. Then we went to San Felix to go shopping at their market area in the afternoon. That was definitely the day we gringos stood out!! The market was really cool though. Things here are not cheap, and it's not like Mexico where you can bargain with them. That was a let down. Speaking of Mexico, we went through the meat market down here. I am thankful we went through that in Mazatlan, Mexico before or else I would have been grossed out. I started laughing when I remembered that Molly video taped us going through that and I think I was mad on the camera cus I was embarressed that she was doing that hahahha Anyways... then we went to Club Nautico. It is this country club type place with pools, sport courts and such. We were able to lounge around and just soak up the sun. It was very nice. The only bad thing was that most of us felt sick that night, including myself. We were thinking it could have been from the water from the pool. Not sure how but we all seemed to share the same symptoms. The next day we went fishing again! It was a success this time, and we did not have to get up early. Oh and might I add the boat working was a success, but catching fish well not so much (for any of us).... Kottke's I think you will be very proud of me though....I caught a rock! Here in Venezuela too. One of the Venezuelan's swam down to get it unhooked. I seriously think I am not meant to fish. One of the other guys caught a stick, so I was not the only one haha. Oh and they do not use poles down here. They only use the fishing line, it was very interesting as we were told we could be catching Paranas! Later that day we went to the Malls in Porta Ordazto shop. I think I heard someone say that the mall we went to was the biggest one in South America. It was pretty big. I definitely enjoyed our time spent there. Didn't buy anything though, as the prices are sooo expensive. I honestly don't know how these people afford clothing. Today the group from St. Thomas left for the Gran Sabana. It was an 8 hour bus ride down there. Beth and I contemplated many times whether we wanted to go or not. We decided not to. I know they will have a great time and I am excited to see pictures. We have a few things set up around here for us too. It will be nice to spend the last 4 days with the Venezuelan's around here too. I must admit besides all of my family and friends I miss so many things that I took for granted. Little things that shouldn't matter but I miss peanut butter so much (can't wait for your homemade stuff mom)!! I miss eating apples, barbeque sauce, runnning, normal showers, watching movies, driving etc. The list could go on and I feel bad, but I wanted to share the truth. I could live without all of that for the rest of my life as most people down here too, but I do miss it. I want to cherish EVERYTHING even more!!

Ay Muchacha, Ay Muchacho

Today was very exciting for me. We went to the Missionaries of Charity here in Venezueala. It is a religious order that was established in 1950 by Mother Teresa in Calcutta. I admire that woman sooo much, so to be able to meet the women who have the same desires to follow Christ the way she did is very exciting. The place is occupied by six men who are dying of aids and then eight other men who are either disabled or ill. The group's main job was painting. There were 14 of us and limited supplies. I really wanted to interact with either the men or work along with the Sisters. So, I mosied on up and talked with one of them and they gave me the job of sweeping and mopping. Let me tell you, these women keep the place very clean! I looked inside of the men's room and they were very well organized and very clean. As I was mopping one of the men there came up to me and tried talking, well that one sorta failed. But then he came back with two chocolate treats to give me (Beth and I just finished one of them :)) I felt bad taking them from him, but I know that it would have been rude not to. We ended up bonding later. He was a fun guy. Then it was time for lunch. I was able to put some of my nursing assistant skills in handy ;) haha I fed one of the men there who was unable to feed himself. He talked way more then he wanted to eat. Didn't understand him, and then one of the Sisters told me that he always does that. After that Beth and I joined eachother to go and hang out with some of the other men in the outdoor sitting area. Underneath a mango tree :) One of the men in particular kept saying ay muchacha (girl) so I would say back ay muchacho(guy). And we pretty much did that for 2 hrs haha jk but we had fun with him. In the mean time there were turtles walking around 2 lil ones and a big one. Beth and I and the men had fun with them. Then one of the guys working there brought over a parrot and placed in on Beth. It was then my turn. That was pretty cool. Mangos would be falling from the tree, which was a bit scary at times. I think I ate one of the best mangos of my life today. Soooo good! It was so fun hanging out with the men. The Sisters work so hard to take care of these sick men. It is so humbling to see. The place was so peaceful and filled with lots of love. Since our group was big we had to split up in order to get back. We were lucky and were able to ride in the Missionaries of Charity van. I felt pretty important haha No but I believe we are going back tomorrow which should be sweet. Oh and yesterday at the futbol game our group's picture was unknowingly taken. Turns out were all in the Venezuelan paper today. Oh yea! I hope to get a copy :) Well Molly here ya go SHOUT OUT numero dos :)

Bonita Ninos

This morning I went out to visit three of the homes of the sick. I felt like we were driving all over the place (ok we were), but we had to get the food and then go to the different barrios to deliver them. It was fun to see some of the same people we visited last week like the old man and Jennifer. Once again she had a glowing smile on her face. I had a good time visting them in their homes. I was the only one who spoke english so I was unable to speak with any of the people I was with. It gives me even more motivation to really want to learn how to speak spanish. I am really trying, but it is difficult :( I then got dropped off to the work site where the other group was working. From the looks of their faces and clothing it looked like they had been working really hard, and I know they were. They picked up everything from the site very well. Then, in the afternoon we went on a boat ride on the river. It was so cool because we were able to get up super close to some of the waterfalls. Another cool thing was that within the river there is another river. So, basically these two rivers meet but they are seperated by the different sediments and water concentration that make them up. You can visibly see the difference as one river is almost a brown color. It was the coolest thing ever. One of the guys from our group jumped out to be inbetween both rivers. No worries Mamita I stayed inside the boat ;) Well, we all did except the one guy. Who knows what the water is contaminated with, or what was swimming around in there. ha Tonight we went to a park called Christmas Park. It was a park with a bunch of little venders selling different things and then a huge play area for kids. So we are walking and Beth points out a little boy with down syndrome and I instantly freak out! It turns out he has a sister with down syndrome ( I double freak out) my impulse is to run up and take a pic, but Beth informed me that we should prob have one of the guys with us tell them in spanish what we were doing. Ok ok I agreed. So Aunty M for you I took pictures with these beautiful children :) There is more to the story, but I will share with you that when I get home. The little boy was adorable and we exchanged many many hugs!!! I loved it. I told the guy to tell the parents that they have beautiful children (bonita ninos). I was just so happy! Oh and then on our way back we got helado woop woop Me gusta helado!!! Just can''t get enough haha Tomorrow we are super excited because we are going to a futbol game here at the futbol stadium. It is going to be a great time for sure!! Buenas Noches!! Chao

Feeling More Like a Venezuelan

Bewteen yesterday and today we were able to visit two steel mines. Well, actually the one today was the steel mill where the rock from the mines are transported. The steel mine is located in the city of Porto Ordaz which offers the majority of the jobs for the people around here. Yesterdays steel mine was further away. The bus ride was kind of a long one... 2 hours there and 2 hours back with no air. But it was still fun. We actually got to see 4 of the open pit mines. It was so pretty to see all of the different colors. The machines they used at the mines were huge!! The tour today was also pretty neat. It sounds like working there can be pretty dangerous though. They even have their own hospital on site. In the afternoon Beth and I went over to a barrio where a group of families live that we know. The younger girls were surprised and excited to see us. We ended up watching two movies with them. Tonight we went to one of the other chapels to visit the people on of the other barrios down here. It was a lot of fun. We were taught the calypso which is the type of dance they do. Yes, in that picture Beth and I got to try on the costumes and show everyone our moves. I started to feel like a true Venezuelan. Which by the way Mom... Dad... I think I am discovering I am part Venezuelan. First off I love the food and the people, second off they do not stop dancing and I do not stop dancing ;) and the one thing that gets me is how they are never on time! Im telling you I relate with these people so well. I love how relaxed the culture is. Everything always just flows, which can be a bad thing at times, but for the most part even 20 mins late means you're early around here. I just got up and did the macarena for Beth, as it was just being played outside of our window. Spanish music is blaring and I think the people out there are throughly enjoying themsleves, which makes me happy. I hope it doesn't go on for to much longer ha. Tomorrow the group is going to go back to the other chapel where we had our hard day of work. However, Fr. Greg gave Beth and I the option to go out with the St Vincent De Paul group and go visit the poorest of the poor who are sick. I think Beth is still contemplating on her decision, but I know that I definitely want to go visit the sick. Oh and all day I have been thinking/praying about Haiti. I just can't stop thinking about it and what the people there are going through. I also am so thankful to God that He lead us here and not there where we were planning on going. Well, now the song playing right now is pretty mellow, so Im thinking I should try and fall asleep to this one :) Buenas Noches!

Smile and Say Hello Everywhere You Go

I now can say that I have been inside a prison in Venezuela. Today we were met by a deacon who also serves as a chaplain for the police department. His testimony is so cool! It's a long one, but let's just say the last place he ever would have seen himself is working with a police department. He says that serving God isn't easy,but He will lead the way and we must follow. He kept on assuring us that we are so lucky to be American citizens and that we need to appreciate everything we have. He kept giving examples of the littlest thing that we have that people down here don't, such as creamer in our coffee. In the U.S. we have so many different flavors and options where down here the grocery stores are often out of milk. Even the different sandwich spreads. He kept telling us how much he misses a good sandwich. He told us we need to take care of our country, fight for our country, and respect it. He did also say that Venezuela is a great country (it truly is!) and they are so blessed with what they do have. They do have many resources, most of the ones they need. This guy was so humble it was such a witness to see. We then hopped onto a bus and were first brought to the emergency department 171 (instead of 911). We got to go inside and see all of the monitors and telephone operators who take the emergency phone calls. It was really neat to see. Then, we took the bus to the prison. We were privledged enough to meet the chief police. I felt safe knowing he was there ;) Then they opened the doors and allowed us to walk through where the cells were. There were two large cells with men inside of them. No air and it was dark inside of the cells, so we couldn't see much. However, they did come and peak through the bars. There were also men outside that we could see. I think the most scary thing for me was not knowing why the men were in there. I didn't know who was a robber, a murderer, and so on. But I tried n0t to think about it as I did smile at them, as we all did and said hello. I wish I knew how to say God Bless You in espanol beacause I so wanted to say it to them :) There were about 140 men we were told. I have never been in a prison in the U.S. but I am pretty sure they are much nicer, which isn't a good thing. After that we were going to go to the juvinile deliquent center, but we weren't able today. Hopefully soon though. Now, we have just been hanging out. We walked around and got some helado today...me gusta helado!! Soon we are going to go meet with the doctor here. She is going to talk with us about the problems with malnutrition down here. I am excited to finally meet her, because she has been out of town. My friend Jose informed me that I would finally see her today (cuz he knows I am a nursing student). Oh and last night we went to a birthday party for one of the girls who I have been bonding with. It was soo much fun. More dancing!! I think I am really starting to get the hang of their salsa dancing down here. I just love it! We had fun dancing with all of the lil kids. The lil boys in the picture were amazing lil dancers. I am pretty sure they were all born with the talent in them. Have a great day. Miss you all! chao