When I accepted my teaching position at Colegio Internacional de Caracas in Venezuela, I did not realize how much had to be done before I could board a plane and move abroad.
Letter of resignation… check
Loads of visa paperwork… check
Doctors appointments… check
Selling car… check
Selling furniture… check
Setting up finances… check
Getting an internationally unblocked phone… check
Making sure I can access Netflix while abroad…check
However, the hardest thing for me to do was to try and fit my life into five bags under fifty pounds. I learned two important things during this task: one, I might be a hoarder and two, it feels great to simplify life.
Unfortunately when I got to the airport, I was only allowed to bring three checked bags… It was not a pleasant start to my trip especially considering I had called the airline multiple times to check on any possible baggage embargoes AND other teachers were able to bring six checked bags.
After a layover in Houston, I boarded a red-eye flight to Caracas and had already stopped worrying about my left behind bags. We flew into the city around 5:30 am local time (only thirty minutes later than Columbus time). It was a beautiful sight even though it was still dark outside; the mountains were covered with sparkling lights. Sadly all of those pretty lights were coming from the barrios. The first thing I did when I got off the plane was use the ladies room….One half working toilette, no soap, and no paper towels or working dryer… Welcome to Venezuela.
We were picked up by the School's superintendent and drivers who took us first to our apartments and then to a welcome breakfast at the Principal's apartment. I like my little place. It's my first time living by myself and I think I am going to enjoy it. The view is the best part:
Going grocery shopping was pretty overwhelming. It was super crowed and not very well organized. Plus the food selection was not especially vegan friendly. Luckily the produce section was quite large. But because of the recent shortages of different goods, people were buying vegetable oil and flour by the case. I was also advised that anytime I am at a store and there is TP, I should buy some and stock up just incase there is another shortage of that…I also found it strange that anytime you purchase anything you must give the cashier your passport number and name.
Since I've been here the school staff has already been super helpful in getting my life together; it's a good sign for this year compared to the last couple :) Here is the view from my classroom and the hallway; I love the mountains, it's such a nice change from Florida.
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