Poder Popular (People's Power)

"So how is it to be back?" I heard this question various times this weekend at a "Welcome Back" party hosted by several of Nico's Chevron colleagues. In two words, it's a "bittersweet return". There's no denying that I have a HUGE soft spot for this country: I identify so much of my childhood and adolescence years with Caracas and when I went to college I felt more Venezuelan than anything else. But 20 years separate me from those memories and I've returned to a very different place and in very different conditions. Caracas remains beautiful - with the Avila surrounding it and the blue skies reigning above. No where have I lived with better weather, despite it being rainy season right now.

But the mood is one of desperation, sadness and gloom. I am a mom now and obviously my children's well-being and health are of upmost importance - so I'm not relaxed here. Just walking through the mall, I see the lack of choice and the exorbitant prices. We walk into a restaurant and a simple toy will attract a lot of attention. For example, Santi had his Buzz Lightyear convertible toy, which retails for $29.95 in the States - here it's a whooping $100 (at black market exchange rates)!!!!! I took the boys to a mall and had never felt so insecure in my life!! People were staring at my children, especially Santi with his blond hair, guys were coming too close for my comfort and I don't think I was being paranoid. Sure, the mall was packed because it's vacation time but when we left, I was glad to be out of there. I am pretty street smart but this experience broke my boundaries. I don't plan to go back there. Ever again.

This weekend, we also experienced our first Chavista street concert. We were in El Hatillo, strolling through the streets and a group of children, ranging from about 6 to 16 were playing local music. Santi was clapping along, cute as ever, while Mati was just watching. I was amazed to hear the lyrics - all propaganda! But the children sang from the heart, totally believing in the opportunities this government has given them ("Venezuela tiene hoy lo que nunca habia tenido ..."). I'm no expert in Venezuelan politics or economics, but I have made it a point to read the local newspaper everyday (at least while there are still independent), and don't see how any of Chavez's reforms have made a difference in the country. I see more polarization, less opportunity in terms of jobs (except to be a robber), and policies that are bringing the country down.

On top of these weekend experiences, I woke this morning to this article from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/world/americas/23venez.html?_r=1&hp. So, while I know that the blog is really about the boys and our family adventures, I can't help but comment here and there about my present reality here in my adopted country.

Stay tuned for birthday pictures from Santi!!!