NOVEMBER_____________________________________________________________2006

Wednesday to Monday, November 1st to 13th

<Araksi> I was back in the first week of the month. Ruud had already arrived two weeks earlier and had brought Garabes back into the anchorage two days after his arrival in Porlamar.

In the first several days after my arrival I basically was busy re-adjusting to paradise. The weather in the countries I have been visiting was horrible; the first winter storms had Turkey and Germany in their grip. But here in Margarita things had got better. The humid weather of September was gone, and instead of this a comforting breeze was blowing over the anchorage. What a relief for my almost frozen bones. And of course the friends; they were cheerful as usual and always ready for a party.

The first Sunday of the month was just wonderful; Vicente and Mary, Vicente´s sister Nico and her husband Juan and of course Slim and Gale had organized a beautiful trip around the island with as highlight a lunch in the heights of the mountains where we could overlook the beautiful anchorage of Porlamar and the southeastern corner of the island. It was just heavenly, as was the company. The following weekend was not less cheerful. This time we were invited to a birthday gathering at one of Vicente's sisters. These Venezuelans are simply cheerful and very hearty people!

Tuesday, November 14th

<Ruud> Juan is still angry about me helping Buddy and Ruth. In this case, there is only one solution: confront him directly. So I ask him if he would help his friends (I don`t think he has any) in case they would ask him. Of course, is the answer. So why is he than angry that I helped mine? Not knowing what to reply on that he starts to complain about his mother, who owns the business and doesn't leave him enough money. How sad: a man in his fifties complaining towards a stranger about his mama. Oh well, the important thing for me is not to make too many enemies, there is nothing gained in that. So I pad him on his back and declare the greatest of sympathies. He almost embraces me at the end. Yuck!

Wednesday, November 15th

<Araksi> But now we are back into our old routine: I wake up early around six, then do some yoga exercises, and have a short swim. When Ruud gets up around seven to do his work on the internet, I go practicing a little of Spanish. We then end the first part of the morning at around eight by having a good breakfast.

The rest of the day is constant working usually until four or five. We then have dinner. By then the darkness starts taking over, as the days are getting shorter; the sunset today was at 17:45. In the tropics the night falls as a stone; you don't have that soft twilight of the higher latitudes. In ten minutes the darkness takes hold of the rest of your day.

We saw some of the apartments in one of those high rising buildings here in Porlamar. They had magnificent views overlooking the anchorage but were in bad shape. Considering the unstable political situation and the relative high price they ask for this kind of apartments we doubt we will purchase a property here. But never say no!

We were at Mis Gale's in the evening.

Thursday, November 16th

<Araksi> We are having our teeth checked by Vicente. He is a very precise dentist. It is immensely satisfying to see an impeccable result after having sit there on the dentists chair for at least 45 minutes.

As for all other medical services the charges for dental work on Margarita is very reasonable. In fact people from all over the world, though mainly from the US, come here to get medical treatment.

Friday, November 17th

<Araksi> We were on our way at 07:30 in the morning. After a walk of an hour along the Karakole beach we reached the Esparta Suites, a huge apartment complex just on the beach, next to the Hilton Marina . There were a couple of apartments to see in there. This building was much better maintained than the Margarita Plaza, the one we had visited two days ago. This here has beautiful views, but still didn't trigger that wow effect. The reason we consider to buy a property here is mainly because of Margarita's location; sailingwise it is a very beautiful area, and the island has good flight connections to Europe. Another plus is its beautiful beaches that attract lots of tourists. We would most probably be able to rent out the flat to interested visitors.

On our way back to Garabes we stopped by Mis Gale to say hello to Wendy, Gale's daughter, who is visiting her parents for a week. She seems to be a pleasant, interested and knowledgeable person.

In the afternoon I had a ride in to town together with Slim on his scooter. It was the first time I was riding one, and I enjoyed it. We were shopping for a car rental deal, and got a good offer from Miami Cars at Hotel Bella Vista.

Our drive through the city was adventurous, for Slim had to find his way through red masses of people. Yes red, that is the color of Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, who is on visit of the island, and was going to talk to the public at Plaza Bolívar. It is time of election, and the country is going to vote on the 3rd of December between Morales and Chavez. The country is divided into two groups, the ones who love Chavez and those who hate him. There seems to be nothing in between.

Chavez gained power in 1999 and there after he systematically has been cutting the powers and influences of the middle class and of the couple of powerful families in the country. His paroles and promises in the election were of liberating the country from the grips of imperialist powers (mainly meant the USA and its allies within the country). It seems that he is doing everything to realize his goal, unfortunately not always in the interests of the whole country. Fact is though that the poorer classes are doing better and that the government is developing the infrastructure and social facilities in the poor regions. Education, health care, access to water and electricity are among the social goods that Chavez is providing the poor with. As a foreigner it is quite difficult to judge about the effectiveness of these programs for the economic growth of the entire country. The fact is that the majority of the people in this very rich country have not been getting a good piece of the rich cake; Venezuela has the fifth biggest oil reserves of our planet and produces oil since the 1950´s, besides that it is blessed with various other basic metals, and a very fruitful climate. On the face of these facts it is sad to hear that the country imports 70 percent of its goods from abroad. What a big, big pity!

Later in the day we were enjoying the evening on Garabes together with Gale, Slim and Wendy. Later Vicente and Mary joined the group adding even more to laughter and fun to our conversations.

Saturday to Sunday, November 18th to 19th

<Araksi> A quiet weekend. We mostly worked on our computers. On Saturday evening we visited the Sunset Bar, the gathering place of cruisers. As every Saturday Keith was playing some pleasant music on his guitar.

On Sunday morning we saw another apartment, a pent-house this time. No, it still is not the one.