Feb
17
Before moving to Caracas, I bought a fancy and expensive complicated camera to better document my new adventures. My number one goal my first month here was to take a REALLY good picture from our balcony and then spruce it up in Photoshop. Needless to say, I got sidetracked and I never really felt like I accomplished the goal. On the other hand, I did not want hours of work becoming an amateur photographer to go to waste, so I am posting what I think is the best of them. Critiques are welcome – please be gentle 
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Posted in Caracas, Caracas skyline, Venezuela Camera Caracas Photography Photoshop Views
Jan
07
Since we got here in mid-December, every night I would hear the sound of fireworks, loud ones, popping. It reminded me of the weeks leading up to July 4th in the states and I caught on that this was a Venezuelan tradition. However, nothing could have prepared me for this at 12:00 AM on January 1st-
Although very loud (are you sensing a theme here), it was a spectacular show. The most impressive part is that it was not a coordinated effort, but a bunch of individuals putting on their own little demonstrations to create this splendid exhibition.
As soon as I snapped out of my fireworks-induced daze, I began thinking about making pumpkin soup the next morning. Eating pumpkin soup on January 1st, which is also Haiti’s Independence Day, is a strong tradition in Haitian households. It began with the first Independence celebration because during slavery, pumpkin soup was considered too elegant a food for slaves. In my family, it is practically considered blasphemy if you do not participate in this tradition; hence, if you stop by most Haitian homes on January 1st, pumpkin soup is being served.
What are some of your traditions for bringing in the New Year? Are they cultural, or have you created some special ones for you and/or your family?
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Posted in Caracas, Caracas skyline, Culture, Expat, Haiti, Haitian Independence Day, Immigrant Families, New Year's Traditions, Social Norms, Traditions Caracas Fireworks Caracas skyline Cultural Norms Culture Haiti Haitian Independence Day New Year's Eve Traditions
