To the North ... Colombia y Venezuela

¡Buenos días!
It has only been a couple of weeks, but a lot has happened! We decided since we had a couple days off for Carnaval, it would be a good time to take a trip and see some other countries. We asked our Provincial (the sister in charge here) if we could go for the whole week instead of just the two days and she suggested taking two weeks since we wanted to visit two countries. First we wanted to go to Peru and Bolivia, since they are close. Then they got hit by torrential floods. So we decided on Argentina and Uruguay, and then the prices on flights there doubled. We were a bit distressed but found a great deal on flights to Colombia and Venezuela (the two countries not even on our list to visit!) and ended up spending our vacation there.
In Colombia we stayed with the Hermanitas de la Asunción, the “cousins” to our sisters. They were fantastic, super helpful and generous. We so enjoyed our time there with the little sisters. The presence of the police in Bogotá was a bit overwhelming. There were officers on every street corner, in every park, plaza, outside every main building … pretty much everywhere. We enjoyed taking in the city from a look out point after taking the cable car up, learning about the ancient civilizations in the National Museum, appreciating Botero’s (a famous Colombian artist) plump figures in his many paintings and sculptures, entering the Supreme Court building and sitting in on a hearing, visiting many beautiful old churches in the historic center, touring the police museum and hearing all about the fight against the drug lords, attending Ash Wednesday Mass in the one and only Cathedral in an underground Salt Mine, walking through Simon Bolivar’s quinta (country house), witnessed a health care protest, watched a movie about the constellations and planets in the planetarium, an awesome Science museum with tons of hands on exhibits (we really liked the interactive museum after all the historic ones!), and were dazzled by the huge collection of intricate pieces in the Gold Museum. We were surprised by how similar the artesania (hand made jewelry, clothing etc) was to that of Ecuador. We soaked up the opportunity to drink Colombian coffee and I drank more than I have in probably my whole life! We also tried some of the typical food there: ajiaco, a soup with three types of potatoes, chicken, cheese and creamy sauce mmmmm, and arepas, corn pancakes with cheese. Colombia was very good to us!
Venezuela was sort of a culture shock for me. We arrived to the Hermanitas Marianitas house after a bit of a struggle but were very warmly welcomed. They were so hospitable and always trying to make our stay more comfortable. We also enjoyed the arepas every morning for breakfast and the fantastic view of the city from our rooftop. The first big change was the warm weather. It was super humid almost every day and felt like the beginning of a KS summer! I didn’t mind too much, although we did get a little heat exhaustion from walking everywhere. The highlights of our trip were: more historic sights of Bolivar (he was Venezuelan so they are Very Proud of the liberator!) including his house and Mausoleum, our third cable car ride to serene Avila National Park, the contemporary and fine art museums, the science museum (which included lots of real, mounted/stuffed exotic animals), a trip to the Beach of the Caribbean Sea, a daytrip to Colonia Tovar – a little German village, and getting our cameras “checked” by the guards outside the Presidential Palace (just so you know, you can Not take pictures, but you can pass by, on the other side of the street of course and without stopping … oh Chavez.) Speaking of the President, there was a picture of his face or Simon Bolivar on just about every street, sort of freaky, like he’s always watching you. Caracas is definitely a city in a developing country and we could just see the change almost immediately. On the way to our house, we passed over a bridge where down below was a compact neighborhood of houses in shambles, clothes being washed and trash being dumped into the very same river that wound through the barrio. There are having a water and energy crisis also and there is a lot of unrest that their country is aiding other countries, but can’t seem to solve their own issues (sounds sort of familiar …). It was a very eye-opening and unique experience and I’m glad we went!
On the other hand, I’m glad to be back home, in our routine and working with the kids. They are so curious, enthusiastic and ornery! The sisters are on a retreat for the next two weeks so things are a little quiet at our house. I pray that you all are doing well and taking the opportunity this season of Lent to reflect on the little ways He is calling you each day. There are so many things I need to work on, I’m trying to just focus on a small goal each day and add on little by little. This is the time to really re-form your conscience and make a daily struggle against our defects. May today you hear his voice and harden not your hearts.
Peace and courage to you,
April