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Venezuela 2005
Merida, Mucuchies and Los Nevados
Merida
Merida is the capital of the State of Merida, located in the Andes Mountains in the southwest corner of Venezuela. The first shot is taken in Plaza Bolivar, and naturally, is a statue of 'The Liberator'. The next 2 are of the cathedral, very beautiful, just off the plaza and the last is of 2 "angels" outside a small church a few blocks away who were dressed up as part of a "Corpus Christi" festival.
Mucuchies
Mucuchies is a small town about 40 minutes by bus away from Merida, alittle further up in the mountains. Its completely dependent on agriculture. The statue is of a locally famous boy and dog who supposedly accompanied Bolivar during his travels and conquests. The second shot shows how fields are plowed all over the area, with a team of oxen pulling a wooden plow.
Los Nevados
Los Nevados is a village, far up into the mountains, accessible by mule or 4x4 truck only. Almost completely dependent on agriculture, there is some tourism because of the teleferico - people can take a 5 hour mule ride down to Los Nevados from the third teleferico station, which we would have done but the teleferico was closed. I got the first photo of a little fiesta in the square since we happened to be there during a period when some firefighters from Merida were making their monthly trip. The next shot is the town's main street under more normal conditions. The next picture was taken from above the town and shows how its nestled into the mountainside and pretty isolated. Finally, the last is Diane and our guide going back to the village from a short visit to a local 200 year old flour mill.
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