Casas de Carton

I came to Venezuela with extremely low expectations.  I thought I would be going to this extremely dangerous, ugly, messed up third-world country...and while some of those things are true, Venezuela had so much more to offer and the good quickly out-shown  the bad.  I don't know how to describe the landscapes, because honestly I am surrounded by the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.  It's not just the lush green vegetation that is ubiquitous here, or even the constant rolling hills, but also the brilliant sapphire blue found on the wings of wild birds and the rainbows painted on butterfly wings.  I'm not just talking about the wild flowers that grow here, wild flowers that are worthy of any vase in any home.  I'm talking about the fact that for the first time I know what it feels like to take in a deep breath of fresh air. It's in those little moments that I realized this is Venezuela. It's really not about Hugo Chavez (although I can't say I'm fond of him) or about the extreme poverty that welcomed me when I left the airport.  Yes, that is part of Venezuela, but people here aren't defined by that.  They are defined by music, dancing, and laughing.  Nothing is taken too seriously and nothing is ever too grave. You are also taught to be passionate here...You're angry?  Yell it to the world!  You will end up laughing at yourself.  You're sad?  Cry it out! and yes, you will end up laughing at yourself.  It's all about smiling in the end :)
And family.  It's funny how I went my whole life not knowing my cousins but how quickly my blood recognized theirs, how quickly we bonded, and how quickly we knew we were family.  I loved every aspect of my trip, and usually by the end of a vacation away I am ready to head back home...but not this time.  I love Venezuela and I would stay for the rest of the summer if I could. Just the thought of leaving makes me want to sob. 

But I will be back, Venezuela, and it wont take 20.5 years next time ;)

<3 Eli

PS.  Pictures to come when I get back to the states :)