Day of the Little Candles - Colombia

December 7th is a holiday in Colombia. This is the eve of the Immaculate Conception and called Dia de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles.) On this day, after dark, everyone in the country lights candles in their windows and in parks, they light lanterns in and outside of their homes, and they turn on their Christmas lights to mark the official beginning of the Christmas season. I compare it to how it is a big faux pas in the US to have your Christmas lights on before Thanksgiving is done.

I was lucky to experience this holiday while in Bogota last December and it was a really beautiful and heart warming tradition to experience. After the sun set, everyone in the city took to the parks with their families and friends. They sat in small circles and just enjoyed the time to be together. There were tiny multi-colored candles on every solid surface and the parks and green areas were all absolutely full. With the candles and the Christmas lights on, everything glowed and everyone seemed really happy. Definitely a tradition worth keeping in Colombia!

-Amber

Caracas, Venezuela

At the end of November my work took me down to Caracas, Venezuela. With everything we hear in the media about President Hugo Chavez's view of the United States, I have to admit I was a little nervous to go. And while I was only there for a weekend, it was an interesting exploration into a country with a political leader and system that we typically lump in with communism ( the evil of all evils to many US citizens.)

Let me clarify, Venezuela is not a communist country (currently) or a dictatorship. It is a democracy in the sense that government officials, including Mr. Chavez, are elected by the people. Chavez is part of the United Socialist Party. And whether we can believe it or not, just before my visit, Presidente Chavez was re-elected by the people for another presidential term. (It is unclear if he will be able to live that out due to illness.) This recent election did allow me the chance to view a lot of propaganda in support of Chavez's reelection.

Because Chavez is usually lumped into the same category with Castro and Kim Jong-il from North Korea, it was very odd to see so many pro-Chavez billboards, signs, and walls with graffitti. But, when you step back and think on it, he is elected and over half of the population love him. (From what I've gathered, it is mostly the lower class in Venezuela that supports him because of his Socialist views, whereas the middle and upper classes are not fans.)

There is a lot of obvious poverty outside of Caracas. Venezuela is known for these types of housing developments on hills just chock-a-bock full of tiny houses all cramped in together:

The other big observation I was able to make while there is just how expensive it is! There are two exchange rates for the dollar - one for essentials and one for other items. The essentials' exchange rate is lower, but even with that prices in the super market were all over the place. A 20 oz Coke seemed reasonable, but a medium sized block of not-so-special cheese was about $15. Apparently, it's not just a foreign exchange rate issue. I spoke with our teacher candidates about it and they discussed just how impossible it could be at times to be able to even afford the basics.

There is a lot more to be learned about Venezuela, but these were the few things that stuck out as interesting or odd. I can tell you that the people are gregarious and warm. They are full of life and energy and are the type of people you just want to be around.

- Amber

Feliz Año Nuevo!!

Happy 2013 y'all!! Thanks for being forgiving while I took a break from the blog in December. It was good to get back to NC for a few weeks and catch up with everyone. But, it's also good to be back in Costa Rica and back to my daily routine (and the stunningly beautiful weather!)

Over the next few days I will be updating the blog with some overdue posts as well as some new adventures I've had. As always, thanks for reading along!

- Amber