Thursday, November 3, 2011

Latin America - Por Fin




My experience with Latin America is like a Novela. While being married to a Venezuelan, I learned a lot about the culture.
My four trips to Venezuela have given me many fond memories and a personal appreciation for Latin America.
I went to Caracas, Venezuela and Margarita Island in December of 1997 to visit my Venezuelan boyfriend for two weeks.
In December of 2001, we married at Los Cortijos country club in Caracas and traveled with his family to Valencia, Venezuela, Morocoy, etc.
We took a family trip to Caracas and Margarita Island for the Christmas and New Year Holidays in 2003.
In August of 2005, we went to get our 1 year old baptized. My husband and I went on a late honeymoon to Aruba that summer as well.
The first photo was taken on the beach at Margarita Island, the second is my in-laws' home in Caracas, and the third is a typical scene as you drive around Caracas. Margarita Island is off the coast of eastern Venezuela. We had to drive 5 hours or so, then get on a ferry to go from Puerto La Cruz to the island. My in-laws' home in Caracas is in a gated neighborhood. Notice the fence and security bars. Security bars are part of the architecture. The third is a photo of "the barrios" which is where the poor live surrounding the city of Caracas. The slums are built up the mountain sides.