I´m staying at Jakera Lodge right now in Playa Colorada. We read about this place in our guide book and the beach sounded good so we just stopped by. The Lodge is the center of many excursions here in Venezuela. It seems to cater to young tourists and adventure seekers. They have hammocks and communal rooms to sleep in and they cook dinner and breakfast for us. It is run by a 28 year old Scottish guy. Tomorrow morning Ivan and I are headed off to the Orinoco Delta to go on a 3 day Kayak trip into the jungle with an indiginous guide. We will be woken up by howler monkeys in the morning, fish for parana for dinner, and see many small crocodile, otters, dolphins, monkeys, parrots, and lots of really big bugs Ive been told. I´ve talked to others who just got back and they say its a very memorable experience... I´m so excited to have the opportunity to do this.

Besides that, I met a photographer from the National Geographic. He lives part time at the lodge. He also might be going on our kayak trip tomorrow. His other home is in Mozambique right now where he is helping to rebuild a wild sanctuary. Listening to some of his stories have been amazing. Chased down by lions, elephants, etc.

Venezuela is a very beautiful place. There is so much to do and see here, I just don´t have enough time in one month. I´ve trying to get in as much as I can though. Just interacting with the people, hearing the sounds of the country, and riding the bus from town to town are teaching me alot. I don´t feel treatened here. I´ve been staying safe... Just as I stay safe in SF. But the people I have been around have been wonderful for the most part.

After this I am off to Merida in the Andes. I will say goodbye to green waters and soft sand.

One week gone...

Hope everyone back home is doing well. I am doing fine. I´m picking up on my Spanish slowly. It´s hard to communicate with people here because they talk so fast! I´m ending my stay on Margarita Island today. It´s been an expensive few days. The funny thing about this place is that your dinner can cost as much or more than your hotel room. All of the food on the island has to be imported from the mainland. Even the water is from a pipeline coming from Caracas. I havent been eating as much here as I do back home. Partly because its just too hot to be hungry. And also, it´s hard for me to find food that I feel comfortable eating that isn´t over the top expensive. I´ve been eating alot of yogurt, bananas, rice and fish. My stomach has been through minimal battle... I just have to stay away from the tap water and produce that isnt cooked or peeled.

Margarita is a beautiful place though. The water is so warm. The sunsets are amazing. I´m starting to get really tan. Sunscreen is applied every few hours but I am always outside. The sun is hard to avoid. Last night I rested in a hammock in the outside courtyard of a little Peruvian posada (bed and breakfast). Salsa music filled the air along with a light rain. It made me very happy.

Right now I am awaiting a ferry boat back to the mainland. Much patience is needed when traveling here. Transportation can run slow and infrequent when you want to be somewhere fast. My pack is heavy and trying in the heat of mid-day... especially when I have to squeeze on a local bus with no air and no place to put my bag except uncomfortably on my lap.

Tonight we will be back in Puerta La Cruz, tomorrow off to Parque National Mochima. It´s hard to find time to get to the internet because we are moving around so much, seeing so much. But I´m going to check it every few days. That is the best way to contact me. I´ll try and keep my blog updated.

I´m sure I will have plenty of stories when I return home... and lots of picture to share. Traveling is so wonderful!

I love you all!

Bye :0)