Viva La Revolución!

I'm only days away from flying to La Habana, Cuba. It won't be long till I am counting down for New Years 2009, over indulging in some mojitos, that will, more than likely, lubricate my spirits for singing 'the Internationale' euphorically more than what would be required. I had been infatuated with the idea of spending new years in Cuba with close friends, celebrating 50 years since the triumph of the revolution, since I began travelling.

At times, the months that have passed feel like years. Occasionally, the events and circumstances that have led up to the here and now provide for some quiet reflection...

I had left Peru for Venezuela on November 4, it was an extremely emotional and stressful trip. The day began with two close friends missing their flight to Spain. I had put them in a taxi and slipped them some money to help out. After checking-in for my flight, I made my way to customs. I had entered Peru with my chilean I.D card, perfectly acceptable with the border countries of Chile. I presented my documents to the customs official, he looked up and coldly stated that I was unable to leave the country, to do so I would need a passport. Undeterred, I handed over my chilean passport. However, he elaborated, that it necessary to leave the country with the same method as I entered, that it is illegal to board a flight with an I.D card. Asking for a solution, he recommended I return to Chile and re-enter Peru with my passport. The flight was due to leave in 30 mins, Chile was a day's trip away. Beginning to stress, and thinking that I would see my Spanish friends sooner than expected, I demanded to see his supervisor. The official agreed to go and grab him, however, he explained that the supervisor would tell me the exact same thing.

Ten, long, agonising minutes passed. I paced around in a circle thinking of what to do. I looked in my wallet, and thought of what would be an appropriate number, one that would be too juicy to be turned down. I placed $60 US in the sleeve of my passport. The same official returned, with no supervisor in sight. He explained the supervisor is preoccupied but would be on his way.
- I quietly asked, "surely, there is a way that I would be able to acquire an entry-stamp for my passport, perhaps I could purchase one?¨
The official looked around and under his breath responded, ¨how much?¨...
- ¨60 dollars¨, I replied, and moved the passport towards him.
- ¨No, its okay, leave it there¨, he ordered. Grabbing the passport, he swiftly took out the money. He then reached into his briefcase and pulled out a stamp.
-¨What date do you want?¨
-¨The same as on my other one¨, I replied, trying to hide the flabbergasted smirk.
The exit-stamp soon followed. It was done. It all happened so quickly, and played out like a movie. I arrived at the boarding gate. There was a duty-free shop close by, where I bought a bottle of Pisco (peruvian white rum) - I needed one...

During my time in Venezuela I have been basing my operations mainly out of Caracas. I've managed to live with some comrades, which has aided the fading budget enormously. Being on edge for the first few days, I quickly adapted to the uniqueness of Caracas. The gunshots at night are no longer perturbing - Caracas has one of the highest crime rates in the world. Caracas is not ascetically pleasing, but Venezuela has something far more interesting to offer: a social revolution. There are a gamut of activities, festivals, cultural events, and people to engage with. Venezuelans are very helpful people and it is not hard to make friends. It did not take long before I had befriended some radicals that were able to introduce me far deeper into the process of change and the social life in Caracas, of course.

It had been an anxious, emotional and exciting day when my dear brisbane friends - Lauren, Andrew, Naomi and Dom - arrived in Caracas. Our friendship seemed continuous, as though I hadn't left. Throughout my travels I reminisced of the past, so from the day they arrived till the day they left Venezuela, I soaked up as much of their company as possible. Fortunately, I will be seeing them in Cuba shortly, to share another unique experience.

On November 19, I participated in the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network (AVSN) brigade, which is a political tour of Venezuela highlighting the achievements of the revolution. I had acquired a concession rate in exchange for being a translator. The tour consisted in, amongst other things, meeting various intellectuals; visiting the social missions, where free education and health care is provided; touring historical sites; touring alternative media groups; and, observing a multitude of red shirts at rallies. Although offering some interesting meetings and trips, I found it, at times, a bit too propagandistic and rhetorical for my likening, which equals boring and utterly mind numbing. Sometimes speakers would only touch the surface of an interesting topic rather than going deeper.

Recently, I had been preoccupied with sorting out my life. Having a vague idea of what I want to do after travels is one thing; actually achieving this is another. The inspiring conjuncture that Venezuela lives has attracted me to the place more than what I first thought. The conditions to form and capacitate myself as an individual, the ability to participate in a revolutionary situation and learn from it are prevalent in Venezuela. Therefore - and perhaps without much surprise - I have decided to stay here. The best method to channel this is, and not without its flaws and criticisms, is by studying at the Bolivarian University. I am hoping on undertaking an undergraduate degree in politics and governments.

However, as I have discovered in the last few days, I will need to return to my "country of origin" to process my application for a student visa. I will admit that I had considered returning to Australia at the end of 2009, and when I discovered how cheap the return flights cost, the sensation of an idea able to become a reality overwhelmed me, and the floodgate of memories and homesickness dawned upon me for a while. Now, due to the circumstances, I will be returning in early 2009. Although I have not reserved my flight it is looking to be around March for about 4-6 months. That's right. I'm coming home!


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Photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=74838&l=f9d96&id=732774973