Update in Warp Speed

Well, after my awesome Venezuelan vacation, I've kept myself busy.  The weekend after the trip, Jackie and I threw a joint birthday party for our friends Jason and Colleen.  As I said before, birthdays are a big deal around here, and this celebration was no different. Cocktails, fondue, dancing, brunch and pool time were involved and fun was had by all.  The following weekend a few of us went to a Halloween party hosted by the French embassy.  As to be expected, the drinks were overpriced and the music selection was sub par, but since it was a French party, I didn't set my bar very high to begin with.  And truly we had a good time and got the dance floor started once we finished our expensive drinks.  On Saturday, Ivan, Colleen and I met up with Ivan's Mom and friend for some salsa and meringue at a rooftop bar in downtown Caracas.  The rooftop bars in hotels are very popular here, and they all have their own style, ambiance and a fantastic view.  We had a great time dancing and enjoying the atmosphere.  I also had the pleasure of spending more time with Ivan's Mom the next morning when she made us and some other family members a delicious brunch.  I contributed by introducing the whole family to mimosas, which none of them had heard of before.  What's the best way to get in with your significant other's family? Bring alcohol to breakfast.  Tracey-1, Being classy-0.

Last week, Ivan took Jason, Walli and I to a wonderful piano concert in a gorgeous music hall in the center of town.  The added bonus was that a Peruvian market was taking place before the event, so we got to eat delicious Peruvian food and then see the concert.  The concert venue was breathtaking, and the main stage and seating area actually were designed by an artist so that the whole theater was art in place.  The music, the venue, the whole thing was just phenomenal.  And free.  Did I mention free? As I understand it, the government makes up for its terrible infrastructure and shortages in milk, gas, oil, coffee, toilet paper and basic services with providing world class free music and art events.  Who needs basic necessities when you have art? Right? Ah socialism.  

Anyways, last week I also went to my first Caracas baseball game.  The Caracas Leones were playing the Magallanes, their big rivals. The whole thing was an absolute blast.  We were shuttled into the game by riot police, and once we got into the bleachers, it was like a party.  Vendors were selling taquinos and popcorn and cheap beer as people crowded in on top of each other trying to get seats.  Every time anything good happened....like, a strike or someone hit the ball, the crowd would erupt.  People all had these loud kazoo-like horns that they would blow and everyone would throw whatever they were drinking in the air or generally at the people in front of them.  Since basically everyone was drinking beer, that meant that the entire game we were pretty much taking a beer shower.  But the crowd was having so much fun and people were just enjoying themselves so much, you just join in rather than getting mad.  It was definitely the best baseball game I have ever been to, even though the Leones lost miserably, so the actual baseball wasn't so good.  I will definitely be checking out more games in the future! 

Finally, last week I visited Colonia Tovar.  Go ahead, look it up!  Because I am going to have to go to bed now and save that story for another day.  It was just a neat little adventure, I can't wait to write about it!  So until then, my friends!