2004-08-30 - 6:32 p.m. - things are a bit different, but US influence is far and wide

Itīs always a bit interesting being at an internet cafe. Next to me is a guy instant messaging someone while listening to Eric Clapton on his computer - speakers full blast, of course. At least it is music I can tolerate - even like to some extent.

And on my other side is a dad emailing people. I know heīs a dad because his adorable daughter who is about 4 or 5 years old just came up to me - looking quite curously at me, in fact, since I am a gringo. I certainly donīt come from around here. One look at my eyes, skin and hair color would tell you that. "hola", I said, and she just smiled a sweet smile and turned away.

Yes, Iīm still alive and now on my 6th continent. I thought of that as I flew over Caracas on my way to where Iīm living now - a small town just East.

I donīt have much time left on my account here, and Iīm starving, so Iīm going to make this entry short. Hopefully within the next week or so, (but in Venezuelan time, that could mean sometime this decade), Iīll have internet in my apartment and a computer from school to email and journal on. Still, Iīd miss this cultural opportunity to mix with the natives as they surf next to me in cyberspace, so I might have to still come here once in a while.

"Hablo espanol un pocito" is my favorite phrase of late. In fact, I used it just tonight as the woman working here was trying to tell me she was resetting my computer.

Itīs an interesting experience living in a foreign place. Itīs one thing being on vacation, but a completely different story when youīre living here.

Getting here was a story in and of itself, but Iīll save that for another time. Despite being so far away, I still feel the influence of America. The first sign I saw in Caracas was "nada como una Pepsi" which translates to "nothing like a pepsi". At the airport I saw Dominoes and have since seen a Burger King, Wendyīs, and a few other things. Now behind me is someone playing a game on the computer with the Star Wars theme going.

Americaīs shadow falls far and wide - it seems almost impossible to escape. I guess Iīd have to go to some remote village to not see any influence. Itīll be interesting to see if I can find such a place.

The traffic is very noisy and I donīt think theyīve heard of emission controls. Gas is so cheap itīs like theyīre giving it away. My headmaster can fill his Jeep Cherokee for less than $5.00. In fact, I think itīs actually less than $3.00. Unbelievable. But someone said Venezuelans feel itīs their right to have cheap gas since they export it from here.

Some of the students are quite wealthy where I am teaching. So much so that they are on a list of having the possibility of being kidnapped since their parents are known for having wealth. We have security guards at our school 24/7 and they need to recognize you to let you in.

So different from where I was teaching before, but then again, thatīs why I came.

Iīll write more again soon.

30-something - 2005-03-01
the holding back the the flow of tears - 2005-02-20
song survey - 2005-02-15
song for the day...or perhaps the year... - 2005-01-25
something new - 2005-01-24
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