Anaco Market

I go to the Anaco Market every Saturday morning to get my fruit, vegetables, eggs, and cheese.  (I'm still too scared to touch the meat...NASTY!!!) I love going to the market, it's always quite an adventure and has the best people watching!!! 

This is Frank. I always go to his stand to buy my fruits and veggies. He always finds the best selection and gives me the best prices. Sometimes when I get home I noticed that he snuck in a few extra oranges or apples as a little surprise.  He is so sweet!

Me with all the boys at Frank's stand!

You can even pick out your own chicken...but for some reason I don't think they're meant to be pets.

When you pick one out, this nice man will weigh it for you and he will even kill it right in front of you.

For a real treat, you can pick out your very own pig head!

My favorite part is watching people fight through the flies on a 95 degree day to pick out their own piece of raw chicken...needless to say, I haven't gotten up the stomach to get one for myself. 

Going to the market reminds me that I really DO live in a 3rd world country!

Propaganda

On February 15th Venezuela held elections to vote on a referendum of the constitution. This referendum would abolish term limits, making it possible for president Chavez to run for re-election indefinitely. There was a lot of hype before the election, and the town was painted in propaganda in support of Chavez.

Many people have asked if there is any propaganda against Chavez...

All property in Venezuela is owned by the government, and any person advertising against the government is looking for trouble...so, you only see a few cars with the words NO or some walls are spray painted with graffiti saying no.

The people voted on this topic 2 years ago and turned it down. After the elections Chavez plastered the country with "Por Ahora" signs which means "For Now". He put these signs up saying, you have voted this down "For Now", but this is not over...

This time the people voted in favor of Chavez, so now the "Por Ahora" signs are disappearing and being replaced with "Chavez por Siempre" signs which means, "Chavez forever"...SCARY!!!

Santa Fe With Joy

Joy and I went to Santa Fe for the weekend and had a wonderful time. I was also able to get a few more great photos.

Coconuts

We have several palm trees on campus. When the coconuts fall, we get a yummy treat!

Camila's Apartment Take Two

Remember the apartment I showed you back in November that belonged to one of my students? Well this is ANOTHER one of their apartments.  

ROUGH LIFE!  

Can't Wait to Get Home!

There are several things I have been dreaming about for weeks now.  Here is a list of things I miss most about home, and stay awake at night dreaming about!!!

• AMERICAN FOOD - Venezuelan food is DISGUSTING!!!
• American TV - I miss all the current TV shows...Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Houswives, etc. etc. (and I'm excited to go to the movie theatre and watch movies in ENGLISH!!!)
• Grocery Checkers that friggin' SMILE - The general public here in Venezuela isn't too friendly...especially the grocery checkers.
• Restaurants that actually have the things that are on their menus - Here in Venezuela you need to prepare yourself to find 4 or 5 things that you'd like on the menu, because they RARELY have anything that is on their menu. (and they look at you like you're rude for expecting them to have it!)
• Scarves, hats, mittens...anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE my winter accessories.
• A Bath - I'm dying to take a bath!!!!! (and hot water would be nice too)
• NO BUGS!!!  - Getting eaten alive by bugs is a daily occurrence here in Venezuela.
• Being able to walk down the street without always looking over my shoulder.
• Not having to always cary my money in my bra. - I wonder if they'd look at me strange if I walk up the the counter at the GAP and pulled my money out of my bra?
• Being able to understand what the heck people are saying!!!!!!!
• FRIGGIN' INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Driving - Can you believe I've gone more than 4 months without stepping behind the wheel?
• Being able to get into a car without thinking, "OH LORD PLEASE LET ME LIVE THROUGH THIS!!!"
• BUDDY!!!!! I don't care if Mom spent 4 months ridding him of all his bad habbits...He's sleepin' under the covers with ME!!!!!
• BUT MOST OF ALL...SEEING ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY...I MISS YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!

Casa Hogar

Casa Hogar is an orphanage here in Anaco.  Gary, Sam, & I went to Casa Hogar to do a Christmas Craft with the kids.  It was a very rewarding experience for me and really opened my eyes to the struggles these kids encounter in life.  They were adorable. I wanted to take them all home with me!