The Year of Living Dangerously

It's January 9, 2011 and already an article has been published predicting the countries most likely to go to war in 2011 or to have civil unrest.  Of course, I am living in one of them.  Shocking!  I attract mishaps, danger but rarely complete destruction.  Of the other 12 mentioned, I plan to visit 2 of them in the upcoming month: Columbia and Haiti.

One might ask "Why?" Quite frankly, I believe 'Why not?' We must make our own truths and I am one that continues to hope and believe that there is an ultimate beauty in the face of chaos.  Somehow beneath the hunger, the ones challenged by their government and the ones challenging their government, the pain and frustration, their is hope in the faces and kindness of humanity.  Additionally, there is a curiosity and a life force that makes us want to know and understand and improve our daily lives.  Even if we can't live under the crooked umbrella of many of our governments, we have to believe that we can make our lives wonderful independently and have dreams.

So, I will continue to stay here and try to bring out those dreams in this upcoming project.  The beforeidieiwantto project aims to humanize polarized cultures and make people realize that we all have very similar dreams no matter where we come from and that ultimately, with connection and dedication, we can help each other fulfill those dreams.  Venezuela needs this project, it needs something even if it's something small to bring people together.  And though it might be dangerous the idea of rich and poor, over educated and undereducated stories all being highlighted under the same roof, these stories need to be illuminated and shared with each other as a country and with the world.

In Haiti, I have no objectives but to see a friend and be spiritually uplifted by our connections.  Perhaps, with that initiative, the one of not having an initiative, I will see more than I anticipate or want to.  However, as an educator, right now, the only place to be is in countries like this, living dangerously.  Maybe? Or maybe, we are actually just living aloud and real life and change are happening directly in front of our faces instead of under the surface in newspapers slowly.  This thing of experiential learning; of being a part of history instead of reading about it in the newspapers. There's something to be said for that and oral histories and narratives passed on to children, friends and colleagues around the world will provide a deeper, if slightly opinionated insight that we always don't get from reading the New York times.

Finally, in Columbia, I will head to do a seminar on cross-cultural leadership training.  To be perfectly honest, I am not sure whether this seminar is being conducted in English or Spanish.  I am capable of either but it will be whole if it is in Spanish with the cross cultural aspect.  Still, after Columbia being romanticized as the rejuvenated country of South America's north side this past year, I look forward to seeing the dynamics at work if people believe war is slowly brewing under the surface.  In Venezuela, Columbia is seen as the white swan and Venezuela as the black one from these side of the tracks, but see no evil, hear no evil.. I guess.

So, in true fashion of a year of living dangerously, I will not write about other travel plans or possible adventures.  We'll see what happens and cross my fingers that I always remain just on the outside of the circle of action but close enough to where I can see and create somewhat of a valid perspective.

Here's to the crazy ones...

another year, another breath

So there's many things to touch upon here.  Truth is I always say I will blog about everything and incredible moment that passed but I was trying to stay as far away from technology as possible while in Madrid and Morocco. (It felt quite liberating to be free from the desire to check Facebook repeatedly) And in staying away from technology, it might cause a lot of my trips and experiences to be smushed together.  Hopefully it will come out in a delicious smorsey smush instead of something like a garbage disposal..

I'll start with Madrid.  Going to Spain and being able to communicate in Spanish and not being responded to with a "Que?" and grumpy look on one's face was good.  It was good for my confidence, it was great because it reaffirmed my love affair with Spain and finally it was good because it reinforced that I have learned something in Venezuela when it comes to Spanish.  My reunion with Kristen can be summed up briefly, it involved copious copas de vino, dirty packs of cigarettes (yes, this was a downfall as I have been doing so good on the quit train in VZ) and chat that streamed on non-stop for 2 days.  How friends can pick you up, like they are fireman carrying you and you fall asleep with a smile on your face, simply because you are at peace, you feel like you are surrounded by people that get it.  You don't have to go into huge details because they know and they give you immediate support, feedback, etc that your ears have ached to hear for 5 months.  Some people just know exactly what to say to you and when it's in person and a hug and glass of wine and much more can be shared, it's almost a spiritual experience.

Moving onto Morocco.  What a country! It's definitely up there in the top 5 of the 32 countries I have done so far.  Incredible.  The kindness of Middle easterners, the sophistication of the Europeans, the color and chaos of Africa.  I loved this place.  It's made me remember how we should eat, especially when you have access to markets and fresh animals, produce, etc.  It's made me realize how many of us are not on regular salaries and depend so much on each other.  And, I truly believe it is a model country for predominantly Muslim countries.  In a European sense, people are living and that is what is most essential.  I guess visiting Spain before put this somewhat into perspective. 20-25% of Spain's population is currently unemployed and yet, every corner we turned people were having fun.  I love the energy of it.  Just as in Morocco, people lived in what a lot of westerners would  consider poverty, but I definitely believe I experienced the most hospitality I have ever in Morocco.  Additionally, people smiled and didn't judge outwardly.

All in all, Morocco was fabulous because of the people surrounding me.  Again, what would our lives be without our friends; our people.  Kristen, Kenny, Christophe, Mark, Jen, Laetitia and Jerome made the trip memorable.  Our cooking class, spectacular show, tanneries with Kristen's future husband Adana, the amazing race fez cap challenge, running to Carrefour to buy 18 bottles of vino, new year's eve with the best lamb of my life and the local band.  All of these moments complimented the crew and near perfect weather making Morocco an incredibly rejuvenating experience for me.

So, now I am back in Caracas.  Reflecting on my wonderful vacation, having a bit of holiday bliss and holiday blues simultaneously.  I recently read Everett Bogue's blog again and he discussed the importance of intuition.  I booked my ticket to Morocco in August even before all my little Venezuelan dramas had unfolded but intuitively I knew it was something that was going to need to happen.   I fell a bit off the band wagon with intuition over the last few months.  However, I think I am going to need it more than ever the next 6 months.  Another year, another breath...