“Somehow I’m leading someone else’s life.”

–Joshua Radin

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Yep, that’s how I feel.  I’m definitely settling into life here, but it’s so different that I feel as though I am not who I was when I took off from HIA early that January morning, and, honestly, it’s a really neat feeling. I’m not opposed to it all; in fact, it makes me want to travel more.  Of course, every day here has it’s own unique set of struggles and joys, but isn’t that how it should be?  

I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is that I love about this culture. Maybe it’s not the culture specifically, but the fact that, here, I have the license to explore.  Explore the land; explore getting to know new, interesting people; explore the things about myself that the familiarity and comfort of home never allowed me to see (and never could).  It’s certainly not easy sometimes – to learn about yourself, that is – because sometimes what you find is different than what you thought you would, but it’s worth it.  So worth it.

Two weekends ago, about 20 of us went with some guides to “Las Aguas Termales,”  which is spanish for “Hot Springs.”  We left on Friday, drove 2 hours to a bunch of mountains, got out and carried our tents, sleeping bags, and book bags another hour throughout the beautiful scenery to our campsite, and then, from there, it was only about a 5 minute walk to the Hot Springs. 

The time we spent there was beautiful and so serene, especially in the evening.  It was freezing at our campsite at night, but the beauty of the surrounding stars and mountains was too gorgeous to care about the cold (that is, until you got inside your tent there was no longer any view to distract you). Lana and I ended up sharing a one-person tent, so we were probably warmer than most. Haha.  Before we went to sleep, I layed out for a little and just watched the clouds pass.  I was nice to be alone with my thoughts for a little; laying out and looking at the stars reminded me of home. It was probably one of the only moments where I genuinely longed for home… but then the feeling passed (haha), and my roommate Sam found me and told me some people wanted me to sing!  I was happy to oblige; we spent the remainder of the night singing songs and chatting it up.  Despite the cold, it was very enjoyable.

Oh, and I suppose I should add this little gem for those of you who dig the details… there weren’t any bathrooms in the mountains! Ha, yeah… it was an experience, to say the least!  The whole time I just couldn’t believe was in the mountains of Venezuela just… livin’ my life. Haha, everyday, I tell myself, repeatedly: This is your life! You are actually here, breathing in the Venezuelan air! (and diesel fumes, haha).

But…I know it won’t be forever… 
and that’s a topic for another post, lest I cry while writing it right now. haha).

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Now, on to this past weekend…

My roommates and I went to the beach at Choroni on thursday with four Venezuelan guys. I met one of them in a club here and we became fast friends. I told him that we were thinking of going to the beach, and he asked politely if he and his friends could accompany us, and I said “por supuesto!” which means “of course”!  It was awesome having them with us, because they knew the area and how to take the buses. Also, we spoke spanish the WHOLE weekend! Que chevere!  We left on thursday evening at around 8:30 and didnt arrive at our destination until 4 in the evening the next day.  We returned early this morning at 9am and then headed straight to class! (yeah, I’m just a little exhausted. haha). 

The bus ride there was like 10 hours long, but it was at night, so, in theory, one should sleep for almost the entire duration of the trek… that is, unless they keep the temperature in the bus below freezing, the lights keep turning on and off, and you constantly feel like you are on the rollercoaster from Hell. Hahaha. In case you didn’t get the hint, we didnt do much sleeping.  The bus seats were pretty comfortable. Also, it was an enclosed double decker and we were on the top floor! Awww yeah. Haha, so the bus ride definitely had it’s pros and cons… actually, at one point, somewhere between 2-4am, our bus was pulled over by “la policia.”  We all had to file out, get out bags from underneath so they could go through them – just like that! So different from the states. Anyway…

Once we finally arrived in Maracay, we had to then take a bus from there through the mountains to the beach at Choroni.  Let me just say… craziest bus ride I have ever encountered, even here! I nearly puked. Haha. When we were finally there, we walked around to try and find a posada (hostel, hotel) close to the beach.  We ended up finding a beautiful one for like 15 USD/ night! It was bien bonito and the people who owned it were so nice.  After that, we headed off to the “la playa” for the evening.  The next day we decided to take “una lancha” (speed boat) to another island.  Everything was so beautiful.  I kept repeating to the guys, “No puedo creer que esta es mi vida!” “I can’t believe this is my life”… but it is! Here, i’ll prove it with pictures. 🙂 

Las Aguas Primero…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, La Playa de Choroni! Favorite experience so far…

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Playas y amgios bonitos!

Todo perfecto...

Mandy

Location: Choroni, Venezuela