Archive for Venezuelan Diary

Venezuela versus Colombia

Hugo Chávez vs Álvaro Uribe Vélez

This post will be dedicated to the all people of Venezuela and Colombia. I wanted to write this post based on my half year experience living and travelling in Venezuela and Colombia.

I have found that these countries even they are neighboring are soooo different. That is worth to mention the main differences and curiosities I have lived.

Venezuela vs Colombia:

Venezuela and Colombian people have very warm hearts although Colombian people are on the top of that very polite and much more educated. Because Colombian government is focussed on General Public Education. Which results in the general behavioral patterns of Colombians and their passion for their country.

Venezuelan’s are mess. Of course not all of them, but if you compare how looks like their country side and even centers  of their cities compare to Colombian you will realize that they are able to trash liters in any kind of place. Does not matter if it is beautiful beach side, street, highway or countryside. It is such a sad story to see it!


Colombians are hard workers compare to Venezuelans.  You can see that even they live similar simple life, on the line of poverty they do care their environment. They keep their houses nice, they work hard on their fields to bring food on their tables. Venezuelans got used to have petrol and be rich just for granted. They do not build the infrastructure that much, they do not build other industries except petrol industry. Which resulted in nowadays with lead of Chavez and his “socialistic policy” that most of the companies moved to Colombia (with the fear of being nationalized in Venezuela) and because of the constant provoking of Chavez Venezuela lost its biggest supplier of food. Which means that food in Venezuela and other products are terrible expensive.

Issue of safety is now more in the favor for Colombia. With the anti Guerrila campaign of Uribe seems to be that the trouble makers are under the control. It is costy to keep people of Colombia safe so it affected the social and health care system. Uribe made the inevitable cuts in finances to keep his people safe. Not everybody agrees with him but every Colombian is enjoying nowadays safety. I can say that also as a tourist I did not have any feeling of being endangered, even we were walking as family at night through the cities. It is true that streets are full of policemen but on the other hand if this keeps people safe then why not. On the other hand Venezuela is now full of gangsters which are earning money by robbing people by so called fast kidnapping and nobody wants to leave their home when is dark.

Both countries has huge potential. There is great soil for planting any kind of plants, both countries has minerals, petrol, coast with beautiful sea and touristic ideas. Unfortunately Venezuela has bad management and administration. Which result in mess, cuts of water and electricity. There can not be much tourism, because people can be robed and infrastructure such as buses, metro  and taxi are badly organized. Although the island Margarita is considered as pearl of Caribbean sea and Venezuela can be proud of it. It is living its own life and tourism is main source of money. Colombia has its island also it is St. Andres.

Both countries has huge advantage that they are located in Latin America. It is part of the world with many different cultures, countries, huge diversity of nature and I wish that both of them will gain great leaders and improve life of their people. In Venezuela live about 80% people in poverty for gain of few top once. In Colombia lives many people in poverty too but since they are more tight to their land they rather leave cities and work on their fields than to bag in the streets. Although you can see many homeless people lying on the streets of bigger cities of Colombia.

What i have learned on the way of life: that both countries has its potential. It is just about the leaders and people which kind of environment they want to live and which kind of life they want to have. There are no limitations for human beings. Everything is just matter of good will, hard work and discipline.

If you did not visit Colombia or Venezuela I wish you to have time to do that. These countries are beautiful and worth to visit. Don’t you think?

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Amazing Colombia

How I found my new family

I have not been in touch with you my dear readers for some time. And there is one simple reason for that because I have been travelling with Carlos and Edie for 3 weeks through Colombia. Beautiful country with many colors, warm hearts people, great services, high safety, clean environment and magical nature and food.

I have that great opportunity to visit few cities and make picture for myself about Colombia. Once you enter insight you will have open mouth and eyes. There are so many things to see that you will never get bored. We have been very lucky, because our family is large and we could have stayed in their good hands and enjoy family feelings.

During our journey we have visited:

Medellin

Pereira

In the farm “Que pa que mas” near by Pereira

Near by the Pereira are located two theme parks. One is Parque del Cafe and the another is Pargue de Agropecultura “PANACA”. Both parks are introducing part of the Colombian culture. Parque del Cafe is talking about the production of delicious Colombian Coffee and PANACA is introducing the life and importance of village for cities.

“Without village there is no city” (Sin campo no hay ciudad!)

Salento – there was held our family reunion “Boterada 2010″

Bogota – as all capital cities Bogota is very busy, full of people, traffic and whole environment is too rushy for me. I prefer calmer places and nature. Although in Bogota U can find different museums (Museum del Oro, Botero Museum), famous Monserate monastir and various entertainment activities.

Near by Bogota is one of the biggest world attraction. There is located the biggest cathedral in the world. It is made from Salt.

And a bit further you can find the legendary Lake in Guatape which is known as “El Dorado” – lake where indigenous where sacrificing golden artifacts and Spanish wanted to pick all the gold from this lake for their selfish needs.

And after great time in the Bogota, the rushy capital we moved to Cartajena. Typical sea side and coast city. With warm weather and 90% humidity. Cartajena reminded me a lot Venecia with its narrow streets, colorful houses and sea smell. Cartajena has very beautiful historical down town with castle on the hill and newly build hotel side in Boca Grande.

Great and our time and travelling was over. The time which we spend in Colombia was unforgettable and I hope that we will soon come back.

And what I have learned being there?

  • That Colombia produce great coffee
  • That Colombia honor its people who are working in the countryside and are bringing food on their table.
  • That Colombia is safe, the news and media made bubble from conflicts which are based on very little area compare to the whole country.
  • That Colombia has great services, people are unbelievebly polite, buses are on time, people are helpful  in any time.
  • That Colombia has many faces. You can find mountains, low lands, high lands. It has both seas Caribbean and Atlantic.

And Only thing which can threaten you in Colombia is the fact that you would love to stay there forever.

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St. Valentine’s day spend in Caracas

Day of lovers and friendship (El Dia del Amor y la Amistad)

The day of Lovers in Venezuela especially in Caracas was very lovely and “tropically hot” day. in general there is nothing new about the celebration, you can see couples around, families and friends who gather together to celebrate this nice and lovely day.

We made very nice time for us as family. First we went to great Italian restaurant where we totally overate ourselves which satisfied our primary needs. And in the afternoon after our darling fell asleep we escaped with Carlos from our home and went to wonderful little bar with wonderful view to whole Caracas. We picked bottle of white semi dry Argentinian vine and enjoyed Valentines delicious menu. I have to confess that I had great time. Calm, fulfilling and the most important loving.

Because saint Valentine is also the day of friendship we went to visit our friend for whom we borrowed (learn stole :) ) balloons  in the shape of flowers from some party we passed by to made him surprise.

Motto: To Love and Be loved is the biggest treasure in our life. Appreciate, Love and let the others to love you.


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Carnival in Venezuela

Carnival celebration

By simple words I would describe Carnival in Latin America such as the dance and fun  of colors. I remember that in Czech Republic we do have something similar called “Masopust” the time when we get dressed and have fun on the street. In case Of Latin America was the tradition brought by missionaries from Spain and Italy. But the big advantage of local celebration is weather. Here we do not have to think how the weather will be and that”s why which kind of customs we should choose. Here is such grate weather and conditions that you can let your imagination run and create any kind of customs for yourself.

The Carnival is celebrated in the two levels. One is by adults which remained in its pure quality only in Brasil, where people get basically naked and dance on the street their souls out and sweat blood :) . In Venezuela and other neighboring countries they stopped to celebrate carnival in such a spectacular way because of robberies and steeling.  Adults usually celebrate with their friends in the beach. Take a drinks and have fun in the sea side. The colorful way of celebrating carnival remained only for the kids. It is big fun to see on the streets and shopping molls different fairy tales characters who interact with kids and make them laugh. Nearly every part of city Caracas prepared carnival celebration with games and performances for kids. We have visited municipality Chacao which always keeps nice and wild celebrations. As you can see Edie was enjoying his time with another kids as we were.

Edie was trapped by Mickey’s

Edie was totally amazed by the amount of masks around him

Edie and his new friends

Carnival advice: Enjoy your life, it is short and there are many things to do and many dreams to achieve. Do not waste the only ultimate and limited gift which was given to us when we were born. So let’s play, dance and make our life colorful!

Take this post also as inspiration for possible masks creation for your child.

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Houses in Venezuela have not only soul but also name

What is the name of your house?

Hmmmm this is very nice question. And when my friend ask how is my address in Venezuela because she wanted to send me Christmas postcard I started to sweat. Here to give an address is not that simple as we are used to in Europe or States. In Venezuela you have to refer to the area or city district, to the main road, to the name of the house, to the level in which do you live and to the number of the apartament. And if you manage all of that you are still not 100% sure that the mail will come because local post is not the most efficient one :)

So I love the idea that the houses has their names. Always when I am walking around in our area I am reading various names of the buildings and I have such a mysterious feeling. I was wandering why some of the houses has their names such as Amazonia or Andes or Dona Nina and which kind of people are living there. It gives me nice internal feeling that houses over here are not justgiven simple number like in Europe but people in here were thinking in somebody or some place they liked and would love to live in future.

I was thinking which kind of name I would give to my house in the future and I found out that it would be DESTINY because it is a name of the “live” I am living now. Without destiny I would never met my current husband and became mom of my son.

And what would be the name of your house and why? Tell me I will be happy to hear your voice.


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How Edie got a new niece…..hmmm nice kitty

Jaguar daughter

It is such a great thing if the you have large family, because every member is bringing its unique value to the group. I got very excited about the animal world of our close friend, Carlos brother. “Tio Chocolate” Daniel. As I was writing in the last post he is veterinary and because he is specialist in different areas especially in the exotic animals there is not coincidence that he got among his patience young little jaguar.
Unfortunatelly this one had sad story because his mum died and now he is struggling with depression. And Daniel is healing him with homeopathy. That is the best cure pure love and nature! No chemicals!

Obviously who wound not be depressed and feel lonely if his mum would die. That’s why we decided to bring a bit of light and family feeling into her life and went visit Daniel who in the mean time became her adoptive mother.

Look how beautiful she is:


I wanted to hug my new relative also, but obviously she wanted to be only in the arms of “her mom” :)

Yeah instead of kisses I got few bloody scratches :) …nothing to do I have to practice more. Because she really needs love and love and love

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3 month versus 3 years

Maternity leave

Have you ever thought how great opportunity have all mothers living in the Czech and Slovak Republic because they have maternity leave for 3 years compare to 3 month in Latin America?

I have been thinking how great social system we have that is able to support mothers and their angels and let us to influence development of our kids. Compare to the Latin America system where mother has to go to work immediately after 3 month pass. There is not such a support and if the father does not earn enough money to be able to support whole family then there is no other choice. I was also speaking with Carlos about that how gifted we are, because in our case it enables me to travel with him wherever for 3 years and no matter in which country I am or at which continent I am still financially supported. Although on the other hand I have seen many nice pre-schools over here which accepts babies since 4 month age and they have very nice development system for babies. BUT you have to PAY and if pay then a LOT. Education is not for free and good schools charges a lot.

I just wanted to make this post because many mothers in Czech they still complain that they do not get enough money, that state is not giving us enough to be able to support our family etc. And not so many of them is thinking actually how much is our social system giving us and our kids and how great full we should be.

I was also thinking why they do not have same system over here and after some time and few discussions with locals I found out that it is not possible . There is one simple reason for that. Try to imagine that countries which have natural birth rate (in Venezuela is counting about 20% and in Czech republic is about 8%)high would have strong social system. Then overpopulation would be issue not only for India and China but also for LA.

And as a rest all the best for the upcoming years. I have still 2 years and 2 month to go ahead so lets see what they will bring. But I am really happy that I will not miss even single day with my son.

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Healing power of the sea or else Edie with his “medicine man- Tio Chocolate Daniel”

Day near by the sea side with “tio chaman”

Did you ever got prescribed by the doctor the medicine such as day spend at the sea side. If not then Edie is the lucky one because he got this great medicine by his uncle Daniel.
And how it happened? It is nothing new that also here in Venezuela is winter time. I know that probably most of you will not call 25 C over day and about 18 C over night as winter time but here people feel cold, are dressing jackets and sweaters and get sick. Unfortunately our mum got sick also and brought home nice cold and Edie as nice grand son got this cold also. Luckily he has the great advantage because his uncle is passionate veterinary and homeopathy healer and because we and other thousand his patience believe in his healing abilities we trusted his opinion. He prescribed one nice day near by the beach for Edie. He trust in the power of the salty water. And believe me or not Edie had lot of fun and his cold and running nose was healed within one day without using any chemicals.
So thank you very much dear uncle Daniel, our “medicine man”.

Look how much was Edie enjoying his day with his uncle…………..Edie love sand and his taste too. Daniel told us that if he eats sand than his imunoglobulin will increase which is good for his immunity system. So when he started to taste the sand I let him :) enjoy new taste :)

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Writer: Zlata B. Vaskova

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Washing clothes with Jabón Azul

Jabón Azul versus the Soap with deer (Mýdlo s jelenem)

You know how every mother tries to help its child as much as possible. So my mum is not any different. So before leaving Czech Republic she was pushing me to take with me our the most ordinary soup with picture of deer which actually was the best for washing any kind of food marks. It does not matter whether those spots were from food, or blood or grass or any other kind of dirt. This very simple soap proved by generations worked always and I did not have to buy any other expensive washing detergents such as vanish etc. It was always sufficient enough to prewash a bit the certain spot with this soap and dress was clean and without chemical touch.

And yeah mum was right again, Edies clothes started to be marked from different fruits, meat, his blood while he scratch himself and I was not able to wash out and clean these marks by ordinary washing. Here the washing machines usually use cold water and as I can see the washing detergent is not melted fully and that’s why the final effect is bad.




So in the end I just asked Carlos mum what she would advise me to use. And then she came with Jabón Azul the Blue Soap and my problem was solved. So even in the other side of the world they believe in the most basic products and their generation proved strength.


So deer or Azul? Does not matter both work great!
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Writer: Zlata B. Vaskova

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Baby food in Venezuela – general cooking

Salt over the gold

Salt! Some smart people say that salt is more than gold and even in one of the Czech fairytale the daughter of king proved that :)


But to make a point is. In my home land we are advised by paediatricians not to use salt and other spices which contains salt till the age of 1. Or make kids food saltier as long as possible. And it is logical. Because there is not that much heat and we need to keep our babies healthy. But ups here with the tropical weather we are under different conditions. Baby sweats as much as adults and sometimes even more, they need to retain the water and minerals in their bodies so the rule number 1 here is to put a little bit of salt into every dish I cook for Edie.

It is big difference but it has its reason.

Although I was surprised that other indications are the same. Such as:

  • do not give a fish to kids till 1 year of age
  • do not give them white from egg only yelk to 1 year of age. the white from egg might be cause of allergies
  • do not give infants any citric fruit till 1 year of age it can create allergies too
  • Also there are more different cheeses, they do have much more fresh cheeses which does not have to be suitable for kids because they contain more lactose. I had to try which one does not affect Eide and he likes its taste.
  • Paediatrician also advised me to do not use too often compotas (fruit in jar) it contains a lot of sugar and kids get too easily used to it.

What also surprised me that I was not able to find some night puree (we call it Kaše) with milk as part of formula. It is so common to find back in Czech puree either with or without milk. But here is tricky because kids are not supposed to have milk till the age of 1 in their food and drink it streight till the age of 2 so I am just wandering how the local mums cook…….. so lets see?

I wish you healthy salty life “0″

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Writer: Zlata B. Vaskova

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