Hola,It is Satrday and we are in Senare high on a mountain. We are often on the bus going from place to place and not able to get to internet.
Over the past few days, we went to a cocoa plantation, bird sancturary and dancing at a drumming festival. Today, we visited a coffee grower, named Cafe Cafe and learned about his cooperative, sang at a local school, learned first hand about the history of the revolution back to 1989.
Tomorrw, we leave for Caracus for our big concert on July 3r. Wish usluck and we miss you all. We must sign off for rehearsal and because we are having a tropical storm.
Hasta la
vista Baby,SPC
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Venezuela June 27, 2007
Hola,
Finally - word from the SPC. We are in Porto Columbia for two nights. This is the first time since Isla de Magarita, location of the choral festival that there is internet access. So - lo siento - I·m sorry we can´t post more messages.
We are moving around on buses with no air conditioning but keep the windows open so the breeze keeps us relatively cool. Also, singing keeps our spirits high. Our guides from Global Exchange enjoy our special bus concerts.
Two days ago we were at a fantastic drum festival in Curiepe that celebrates the feast of San Jose Nino. People descend on this small Pueblo for three days and honor the Saint by taking his statue from home to home, where the residents must open their doors to all so they can honor San Jose. We were there for the major celebration. Everyone wears red and parades around the town behind the statue carried by four strong men. At every intersection, the crowd swirls and dances. They threw candy and rice and if you get caught in the middle of the crowd, you really get jostled around. Many of us bought red scarves and waved them wildly in the air when the statue passed. We sang Si Somos Americanos in the town square and the Venezuelans loved it and us. We have been warmly received everywhere.
Markos Weiss is sitting next to me at the Internet Cafe and wants me to mention the steep winding road we took over the mountains to get to the town we are in. It was a very long bus ride, but worth every minute the vast green valleys and mountain sides were incredible to see - lush jungle vegetation surrounding us.
We have taken several incredible excursions - bird watching in Henri Tittier National Park. There are numerous species in Venezuela and our very own bird expert, Dan Froelich, is a perfect and patient guide. Today, part of the group went on a fairly rough small boat ride to a town that produces heavenly chocolate. They had to hike to get there, but we all are glad for some exercise as we spent long hours on the bus. The beach here is beautiful with huge waves and almost everyone has chilled out there for several hours.
We have had a few cases of sun burn, mostly from a snorkeling outing, but nothing too serious. We are, however, having quite a few people suffering from upset stomachs, colds, heat exhaustion and sore throats. Our support folks have been great, taking care of everyone who needs help. We think that lack of sleep has made us more susceptible. No one has been seriously ill, just feeling bad for a few days. We hope we get this all behind us, so we will be up for our big concert in Caracus.
We have made many excellent connections and had lots of person to person experiences. Our good will tour is creating just that and we know that making friends here is important to promoting peace.
Keep the home fires burning and wish us well as we journey on.
Mucho Gracias for all your support!
A very special hello to all our SPC amigos who are not with us. We think of you often and will have lots of stories and photos to share when we get back.
Take Care,
Sue Hurley Rector
On behalf of the Traveling Seattle Peace Chorus.
Finally - word from the SPC. We are in Porto Columbia for two nights. This is the first time since Isla de Magarita, location of the choral festival that there is internet access. So - lo siento - I·m sorry we can´t post more messages.
We are moving around on buses with no air conditioning but keep the windows open so the breeze keeps us relatively cool. Also, singing keeps our spirits high. Our guides from Global Exchange enjoy our special bus concerts.
Two days ago we were at a fantastic drum festival in Curiepe that celebrates the feast of San Jose Nino. People descend on this small Pueblo for three days and honor the Saint by taking his statue from home to home, where the residents must open their doors to all so they can honor San Jose. We were there for the major celebration. Everyone wears red and parades around the town behind the statue carried by four strong men. At every intersection, the crowd swirls and dances. They threw candy and rice and if you get caught in the middle of the crowd, you really get jostled around. Many of us bought red scarves and waved them wildly in the air when the statue passed. We sang Si Somos Americanos in the town square and the Venezuelans loved it and us. We have been warmly received everywhere.
Markos Weiss is sitting next to me at the Internet Cafe and wants me to mention the steep winding road we took over the mountains to get to the town we are in. It was a very long bus ride, but worth every minute the vast green valleys and mountain sides were incredible to see - lush jungle vegetation surrounding us.
We have taken several incredible excursions - bird watching in Henri Tittier National Park. There are numerous species in Venezuela and our very own bird expert, Dan Froelich, is a perfect and patient guide. Today, part of the group went on a fairly rough small boat ride to a town that produces heavenly chocolate. They had to hike to get there, but we all are glad for some exercise as we spent long hours on the bus. The beach here is beautiful with huge waves and almost everyone has chilled out there for several hours.
We have had a few cases of sun burn, mostly from a snorkeling outing, but nothing too serious. We are, however, having quite a few people suffering from upset stomachs, colds, heat exhaustion and sore throats. Our support folks have been great, taking care of everyone who needs help. We think that lack of sleep has made us more susceptible. No one has been seriously ill, just feeling bad for a few days. We hope we get this all behind us, so we will be up for our big concert in Caracus.
We have made many excellent connections and had lots of person to person experiences. Our good will tour is creating just that and we know that making friends here is important to promoting peace.
Keep the home fires burning and wish us well as we journey on.
Mucho Gracias for all your support!
A very special hello to all our SPC amigos who are not with us. We think of you often and will have lots of stories and photos to share when we get back.
Take Care,
Sue Hurley Rector
On behalf of the Traveling Seattle Peace Chorus.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Greetings from Venezuela!!
We have arrived in Venezuela and our days are filled with exciting activities here on Isle de Margarita. We are at the International Choral Festival, where more than forty choirs are with us each day. We´ve already had four concerts, at four different venues. The Big Concert with the six best choirs is tonite, so we are busy preparing for that. Fred keeps us in rehearsal most of the day, but we do find time to snorkel, scuba, birdwatching and just lounging around the pool. The birdwatching was marvelous as we hiked through a National Park with our orinthologist in residence, Dan Froehlich, who also sings bass. Dan has studied birds in many countries so he´s a real treat to have as a guide.
Tomorrow we leave at 5AM for a ferry back to mainland, where we go to several communities to learn about their local music and offer our music to them. We will be hosted by Global Exchange, who will take us to Curiepe where in the evening we´ll enjoy the Drum Festival of St. John. Then on to Barlovento where we´ll visit some cooperatives and the local cultural center.
The music is all around us here. Everyone here seems to love the spirituals we offer, and we´ve already heard several renditions of Ride in the Chariot in response. The spirituals capture hearts everywhere. We heard from one local that we are like a fresh wind coming into Venezuela with our songs of peace.
We´ll try to post more frequently, but our schedule is very full and internet access is a bit of a challenge. Adios.
Tomorrow we leave at 5AM for a ferry back to mainland, where we go to several communities to learn about their local music and offer our music to them. We will be hosted by Global Exchange, who will take us to Curiepe where in the evening we´ll enjoy the Drum Festival of St. John. Then on to Barlovento where we´ll visit some cooperatives and the local cultural center.
The music is all around us here. Everyone here seems to love the spirituals we offer, and we´ve already heard several renditions of Ride in the Chariot in response. The spirituals capture hearts everywhere. We heard from one local that we are like a fresh wind coming into Venezuela with our songs of peace.
We´ll try to post more frequently, but our schedule is very full and internet access is a bit of a challenge. Adios.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Welcome To The SPC Venezuela Blg
Good Morning,
Welcome to the Seattle Peace Chorus Venezuela Trip Blog!
Today is the first day of the of the rest of our lives AND the day before the Seattle Peace Chorus leaves for its exciting two-week Good Will tour to Venezuela. To be more accurate, most of the Seattle Peace Chorus is going on this trip. Unfortunately, some of our members aren't able to be with us and we will miss them very much.
With this blog, we will stay in contact with our members back home, our families, our friends, and SPC supporters.
We will be sending updates along the way and possibly some pictures. Please send us comments and messages. Depending on the volume of comments and our schedule, we will try to respond to any questions.
Stay tuned!
Peace to you and all our other brothers and sisters around the world.
Sue Hurley Rector
Welcome to the Seattle Peace Chorus Venezuela Trip Blog!
Today is the first day of the of the rest of our lives AND the day before the Seattle Peace Chorus leaves for its exciting two-week Good Will tour to Venezuela. To be more accurate, most of the Seattle Peace Chorus is going on this trip. Unfortunately, some of our members aren't able to be with us and we will miss them very much.
With this blog, we will stay in contact with our members back home, our families, our friends, and SPC supporters.
We will be sending updates along the way and possibly some pictures. Please send us comments and messages. Depending on the volume of comments and our schedule, we will try to respond to any questions.
Stay tuned!
Peace to you and all our other brothers and sisters around the world.
Sue Hurley Rector
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