I have no Wi-fi in Caracas!

(My trip is over, I'm back home, and I'm going to reconstruct the events starting with two posts I wrote there!)

My first day in Caracas was an eventful one! The flights from Aruba to Curacao and then to Caracas went well, no problems with immigration or customs. Then fun in the airport! I had trouble trying to use the ATM, it just doesn’t work, and changing money was interesting. Seems the airport employees are very helpful but want to change money for you also. I would be a fool to take the bank rate, so they say. I did have a very helpful man who stayed with me, pulling my bag (that way I couldn’t get away) and took me from place to place. Finally I had to convert some of the Traveler’s Checks I brought for emergencies! Well, this was one. Got a taxi with a very nice driver to take me to the hotel. Enjoyed the drive, lots to see. The mountains are very impressive, even close to the sea.

My room at the "Hotel Limon"


I’ve now set up house-keeping in a very cheap place, the Hotel Limon. It does save me money!
I made my way over to the big buildings and area known as Parque Central. It’s a gigantic area with shops in the lower several floors and offices/apartments above. One of theses towers houses the offices of Fesnojiv. I found my way there by asking some students I saw with instruments. They were on the way to a rehearsal. You just can’t hide carrying string instruments! They took me up to the office and after waiting awhile I had a great talk with Mr. Angel Linares. He started out as a Tuba player, played with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra and is now the Musical Coordinator and General Director of the system for the entire country. The office was very busy but he spoke with me for about an hour, answering my questions and explaining the organization. It is truly remarkable to me that the program is set-up mainly to bring about social change through music. The passion with which he spoke of the program was inspiring.
After that I walked around the area then back to the hotel to meet Pablo. When I checked in he helped with some translation. He is a rice farmer in the Los Llanos area of the country and used to be a tour guide. Now he runs the family farm but is in town on business. He speaks English and took me up on my offer for dinner. We had a traffic filled cab ride to the Sabana Grande neighborhood and then a nice meal and conversation. Back to the hotel and sleep!
Tomorrow I hope to see some sights with Pablo and then a rehearsal of a young string group at Parque Central.

Hola, from Merida

Finally got to an internet spot to post some things. Won´t be much today but better than nothing.
Just generally, I´m having a great time and things are going well. The people I´ve met with the youth orchestra program have been helpful and nice. Tomorrow there´s another rehearsal at 4:00 PM.
Today I took a car ride to the highest town in Venezuela, named Mucuchies (sp?). I hope the videos and pictures I took will come out well. It is truly spectacular. Clouds, mountains, "Andino" culture everywhere!

Tried to put in some pictures from my Ipod but it doesn´t work. (darn Windows).
So, best to all and lots more about the entire trip to come later.
John

A phone call from the Andes

John called home today.  He's having  a great time, although he is often without phone or internet access.  He asked me to update his blog for him.  Thanks to everyone who has been checking on his progress.  He tells me that he has video footage of some great rehearsals to share.

Here's a brief outline of his trip 

7/6: Aruba (the last time he was able to blog)  

7/7 - 7/9: Caracas

7/10 - 7/11: Barquisimeto

7/12 - 7/15: Merida (where he called from today)

7/16 - 7/17: Valencia

7/18 - 7/20:  Back to Caracas

"Every day is an adventure!" - John Bradford

Cynthia

Coming to you from Aruba!

So why am I in Aruba, you may ask?  Well, I'm going to meet Cynthia here on the way home for a few days so it was easier to book round-trip flights to here and to-and-fro Venezuela.  Actually, when I first looked at it the fares were cheaper than going direct to Caracas!  It was tricky getting a flight to Caracas from the states, Travelocity only deals with one airline and they were booked.  So I called my friends at Dutch Antilles Express and I have flights to Curacao and then Caracas, landing about noon!

Had a pleasant though long flight from Chicago, had all of two small biscuits to eat on the plane!  That made my swordfish dinner here even better! (With spicy mango sauce!)

Gotta set an alarm so I can get my ride to the plane by 6:20.  Only about ten minutes away.  I'm staying in a Bed and Breakfast type place.  My hostess is Ingrid, a native Aruban.  Very nice, satisfactory room at only $65.  (and obviously, wireless internet!)

So tomorrow it's off to VE.  Hope I don't get lost (or need my phone - don't ask me what I think of Verizon right now!!!)

Later, JB

Estoy dispuesto a viajar!

That's right, I'm ready to travel!

Spending today packing, getting some sun, listening to the Yankees/Boston game (they'll probably be in first place when I get back!) checking in on my flight and just wondering what I'm forgetting.  Spending tomorrow night in Aruba then on to Caracas by way of Curacao.  Should be fun.

Yours, JB

Montalban plays Marquez 2006

Here is a YouTube video which I found, inspiring me to learn more about "El Sistemo".   It is the Centro Academico Infantile de Montalban orchestra.  Notice the age of the players and the guest conductor!

Lilly Foundation pays the way!

My interest in "El Sistema" was already there when I heard about the Lilly Foundation Teacher Creativity Fellowships.  Two friends of mine had earned the grant in the past and the application process was easy so why not give it a try.  Of course I was surprised and thrilled when I found that I had been awarded a grant.  $8,000 to make my project happen.  Well, after putting away $2,000 for taxes (it is income!) that should be enough money to complete my study.  I'd recommend it highly as they award 120 each year with up to 10 others for $25,000!!!

Check it out here and think of something you'd like to study in 2009!

http://www.lillyendowment.org/ed_tc.html

You might be interested in checking out the web-site of the "Fundacion del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de las Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela"  (Henceforth - Fesnojiv)

Aqui esta el enlace - Fesnojiv

Knowledge of Espanol would be beneficial!

An "El Sistema" article

Here's a link to an AP story in the Washington Post, (You can find it several other places, too) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/26/AR2008062600785.html

It does a nice job of describing the program.

Getting Ready to go!

Hi, It's Tuesday July 1 and I leave for Venezuela on Sunday, July 6. I'm checking my recording equipment today, making sure I have the cables and connections I'll need. I cleared out one of my computers so I'll have plenty of memory for pictures and recordings.  I hope to be able to post to this blog continuosly during my trip.  It'll be just like you're there!