Living in a country like Venezuela can teach you a lot about uncertainty. There are quite a few things that people in more stable nations take for granted, such as quality healthcare (even if expensive,) continuous water and electricity supply, fuel for cars, relatively clean and hole-free streets, internet access, stuff like that. Those aren't guaranteed here, even in the capital, which is far better off than most of other areas. Small power outages are common enough to wreak havoc on appliances and other equipment, in some places near-daily blackouts are quite common; we have to keep water stored somewhere, in buckets, tanks or bottles in case the service stops for whatever reason (as is the case in my building right at this moment.) Litter fills the streets not only because citizens lack responsibility but also because there aren't enough cleaning crews, dumpsters or garbage trucks available in most locations. Poor urban maintenance means the roads are generally in disrepair and, on top of that, gas for vehicles is scarce, particularly outside Caracas. Shocking, for an oil-producing country, but that's what tyranny, corruption and gross mismanagement do. There was a point not so long ago when we couldn't even be certain that we'd find food in supermarkets, at least not without standing in long lines for hours. I'm sure millions of Africans and South Asians would understand this all too well.
I love my country and my city. That wasn't the case for over a decade of my life but it is now. Still, I'm beginning to feel that I want to experience something different than this reality, travel somewhere, live new adventures in unknown places. I can wholeheartedly thank the training I've had here, because no matter where I go, I'll be able to adapt to the circumstances. Habits can be way too comfortable and make us susceptible to crises when change inevitably comes, but when we live in places where routines can shift at any moment, that's really not a concern. Honestly, I'm amazed when people in other latitudes talk about how they plan things years in advance, scheduling trips and all sorts of activities with complete assurance that nothing will stop them. Even the pandemic didn't change this mindset for many, despite the fact that the best laid plans are increasingly flimsier and more often than not become a source of frustration. If you visited Venezuela right now, you'd see people who can easily change their movement to fit most situations, even sudden sparks of violence, albeit those are thankfully less common now than they used to be. You might be shocked by how readily we alter the pacing of our day if transportation doesn't work or an accident during rush hour leaves thousands of us stranded, unable to get to where we need to be. Most of us don't even complain anymore, the obstruction is automatically processed and accepted, modifications are applied and we just roll on, many with a knowing smirk on our faces. Deep down, we're always expecting the unexpected, hardship is a great teacher for that.
Yes, I think it's time for me to face other kinds of unknown, in other countries, with other cultures and peoples. Right now, I think that Venezuela has given me almost everything it could give me in its present state. I still want to see the official end of the chavista regime, their exit from power and the installment of a new government. I want to witness the rise of the New Venezuela in earnest, but maybe I don't need to live through it personally, maybe I've done my part already and it's time for me to seek out new lessons in different lands. I want to visit Africa, Europe and Asia, I want to meet all kinds of groups, meet the friends that I've made here in person and make new ones. I want to learn new languages and explore all sorts of landscapes. Venezuela will probably remain my home base forever and I'll return often to check up on things, but uncertainty is calling me!
Everything in this Universe is impermanent, everything changes, dies and is reborn. Constant transformation is the name of the game. I've learned many things while exploring myself and my purpose, and one of the most important is how to redefine my reality on the spot, to embrace various perspectives and ponder their value to my personal narrative. Through both terrible and beautiful times, my country has blessed me with tremendous adaptability and a keen sense of observation that will be quite useful anywhere I go. It might be redundant, but I trust that I can trust, and that makes all the difference.
Rune of the Day: Ehwaz
To advance you must fulfill your tasks, deliver the load and get rid of what is unnecessary; move, get away from exhausting situations, fatigue reduces your efficiency, do not insist on remaining in the same place, the road offers you many new possibilities. Your blood demands greater freedom, freedom implies a willingness to change and change involves uncertainty; even if you cannot see the destination of your journey, you can be aware of the next step. Inaction for fear of failure is already a failure, only trust gives you the option of success and growth; although patience is a virtue, nothing can be learned from doubt. Let yourself go, no plan is superior than the circumstances and no expectation is more important than the present experience.