Cumana was a great place to visit, as it
was full of life and had some pretty nice beaches. I spent 60 Bolivares and
about 8 hours getting there. I was very surprised… happy, when the taxi driver stopped
on the way to my friend Milagros` (her name means miracle) house to buy me
breakfast!
I had no
idea until Milagros (an English teacher) told me, that President Chavez was
there to give a speech that day. He was there to congratulate the new man in
charge of the Sucre
province, Enrique Maestre, who is on the same side as Chavez. Milagros told me
that there was a campaign about a month previously from this government, which
was supposedly created to help clean the city. 400,000 Bolivares was given to
each person that helped clean the city for a day (keep in mind that this
campaign only ever runs around election times). I thought that this was a great
idea, until I went and saw Chavez give his speech, and realised, when I saw all
of the rubbish littered throughout the streets everywhere, that the environment
is not a major priority of this government (especially considering that it
costs only $2 US for about 40
litres of petrol… not kidding).
There were
hundreds and hundreds of people crowding in the streets wearing red clothing
and hats, and waving flags and chanting like the president was some sort of
super-star. Chavez sure keeps himself in the public eye… he's everywhere!! On a
wide variety of television channels talking for hours, on the screen in bus
terminal waiting rooms, and in posters on just about every street corner here.
When does he find the time to work?? Perhaps he should find some time to help
delinquents here… according to the news here, homicides have risen, and there
have been more than 14,000
in the last ten years.
Just before
I had gone to Chavez`s speech, when walking back from a lovely beach close by,
a taxi pulled up next to me on the main road, even though I didn't signal for
one. It can get somewhat annoying when taxis constantly stop to try to get
business when you are obviously not interested in catching the cab. So the taxi
had pulled up a little ahead and then began reversing towards me. Suddenly,
another car screeched on the breaks, did a 180 degree turn and slid into the
taxi, smashing out a few windows and putting huge dents in both cars. I could
see no one was hurt, (as I had the best view on the entire main road), so I continued
walking… feeling awkward about the whole situation, as the driver had obviously
stopped for me.
Many of my
days in and around Cumana
were interesting and relaxing though, apart from listening to the
evangelists, who would chant and sing for hours every night about god,
right out the front of Milagros´house! I love how people in Venezuela
just chill out
in the streets with their friends, and dance to music that was blasting
out
from their car stereos. Milagros and another couple who were staying in
her
house (Elena and John), went for a trip to Mochima, a white sand beach
with
clear, blue water. I also had many laughs with Milagros, now a good
friend, who
I hope to meet again one day in the future.
On my last
day in Cumana, I
went to see Milagros` sister (Milanjel) who was volunteering at a fun day for
children with cancer. She was dressed as a clown, and was ready to perform
(with many others who were dressed up in costumes) in a play to help bring
smiles to the children's faces. She told me that she and others do this every
year, in any place they can such as McDonalds or a church with the help of
Fundacion Niños con Cancer (Foundation Kids with Cancer). Milanjel also said
that there needs to be a hospital specifically for these children, as there is
only one floor for them in one hospital in Cumana, and there is not enough space for all
of the kids. I watched as Santa also came into the church and gave all of the
sick children presents. This is such a wonderful idea, as sometimes the
children aren't able to get given presents from their parents, as their parents
are poor, and sadly, sometimes can't even afford medicines for their dying
child.
