Don't try this at home...

I got lost on public transportation for the first time in my life yesterday. I got on the 20 azul, which is the only bus that goes directly to my house from the University. Because the street I have to cross gives me such anxiety, I decided to stay on the bus because I thought it would turn around at the big circle behind my house and return quickly so I could avoid crossing the street. I was also really tired and sleeping as I went through this decision making process. When I opened my eyes, I realized we were leaving Maturin and we ended up in a place called San Luis, which is east of the city. I got lucky. The colector and the driver were really nice people and when I told them what happened they offered to take me to my house. After everyone got off, the picked up some friends to bring them into town and brought me to the entrance of my neighborhood. This situation could have been a disaster, especially because they realized I was a foreigner. But they were really nice and helpful to me, restoring some of my faith in the goodness of Venezuelan people. The colector was also the best I have seen, giving exact change, working hard enough so no one had to yell la parada and playing some of the best reggaeton mixes I have heard. While I do not want that to happen ever again, I do hope I get to ride with my 20 azul friends sometine in the near future and I now know that it is worth it to cross the street of death, rather than take a 30 minute detour to the pueblo of San Luis.
I have a bank account. After going through tons of crap for everything, it was super easy. I can finally ask for money from the US and do what I need to do.

I am giving classed to doctors at the hospital. It was my very first class in Venezuela. The room was super hot and I had no marker to write on the board. My face was read and I was sweating. I had also done minimal planning because I had no idea what level they were. Nonetheless, they were thankful for me being there and gave me some materials to use for next week. Doctors are also really good students, so that makes me happy.

I get to talk about my indigenous community project Friday, finally. And I am starting with Barrio Adentro  next week to learn about one of the social programs that Chavez set up so that people have equal access to medical care. It is controversial among Venezuelans and I am happy I get to experience it first hand.

I went to Margarita 2 weeks ago for a week with a professor, Reina, and her family. Margarita is super Venezuelan and luckily for me, her family had never been so we did everything there is to do on the island. We went to a water park, a theme park based on a famous Venezuelan comedian, shopped a lot and took many, many photos. They made me do Latina poses in some and wear big earrings. Definetly not my calling, but fun nonetheless...

I went to Caripe this past weekend. It is a town in the mountains about 2 hours from Maturin. It was amazing. The climate is much colder and the scenery is absolutely beautful. It is also a much smaller city, so it is safer and more laid back. They are famous for their strawberries and cream and La Cueva del Guachero, the largest cave in Venezuela. I am happy to say that I ate starwberries and cream two times and got to go in the cave. That is the second time I have been in a cave and I must say that caves a really, really sweet. (Profound, I know). We also did a short hike to a waterfall and if we had brought our bathing suits, we could have swam. We also met up with two of her friends who are teaching an intensive English course there. We went to a dive bar and danced merengue (I think I get that one more or less). I attempted to dance salsa and then showed them how we dance to techno... though I am not sure that I am the best example of we dance in the US. ;)

The goal this weekend is Caracas. Reina's friend is getting married, so we were thinking of going. If not, we will head back to Caripe.

Life might finally be getting started for me! But we shall see...