Arrival into Caracas, Maiquetia International Airport

Transfer to lodging and dinner near hotel.

Day 2:

Breakfast and Orientation Meeting: participant introductions, presentations by trip leaders, and a review of GX code of conduct and expectations.

Overview of recent Venezuelan history with Michael Fox, journalist for Venezuela Analysis, an editorially independent website produced by individuals who are dedicated to disseminating news and analysis about the current political situation in Venezuela. While the site publishes opinion articles, it also aims for accuracy in the news and facts presented in all articles. Our goal is to become the primary resource for information and analysis on Venezuela in the English language.

Visit San Agustin Barrio to meet with local organizers and independent media activists.

Meet with Fabricio Briceño, a student opposition leader who supports Teodoro Petkoff, former Cabinet Member and leftist critic of Hugo Chavez.

Radio Perola: Local Media Project in the Caricuao neighborhood Growing Media Movement

Watch film presentation to provide historical and political background of the Bolivarian Revolution: "Venezuela and the Fourth World War" produced by Calle y Media Collective.

Day 3:

City Tour: Visit Simon Bolivar's birth place, the national tomb of famous leaders, Llaguno's bridge, Miraflores, Nacional Assembly, Altamira Square, Los Proceres, and Mega-Mercado.

Visit to Barrio 23 de Enero, popular poor neighborhood organized into autonomous collectives. Speak with Juan Gonzalez or Guadalupe Rodriguez, of 23 de Enero. Visit to health and educational missions in the neighborhood. Meet with members of Colectivo Alexis Vive to speak about neighborhood organizing and political participation.

Day 4:

Arrival in Mérida. Orientation at Iowa Institute and introduction to families.

Spanish Lessons at Iowa Institute

Travel to El Vigía to visit carpentry, tapicería, and agriculture cooperatives formed through the support of Misión Vuelvan Caras. Spanish for "Mission About-Face", Mision Vuelvan Caras has the ultimate goal of transforming the Venezuelan economy by supporting the development of cooperatives.

Return to Mérida

Day 5:

Spanish Lessons at Iowa Institute

Visit to tourist cooperative of Misión Vuelvan Caras in Tabay

Day 6:

Spanish Lessons at Iowa Institute

Travel to Mucuchíes, a 400 year old Andean town.

Introduction to Centro Campesino El Convite, an organization that supports sustainable rural development in the Andean region of Venezuela.

Day 7:

Visit to trout cooperative in San Rafael, village near Mucuchies, and surroundings.

Visit areas of interest in Mucuchíes.

Visit to CIDA, Centro de Investigacion de Astronomia, an astronomical research center, museum, and observatory.

Day 8:

Activities with youth of Mucuchíes

Return to Mérida

Day 9:

Spanish Lessons at Iowa Institute

Day 10:

Spanish Lessons at Iowa Institute

Visit to Misión Barrio Adentro, Misión Ribas, or Misión Mercal to understand the impacts and issues around the "Missions", or social programs being implemented by the government and funded mostly by PDVSA, the national oil company.

Day 11:

Spanish Lessons at Iowa Institute

Visit to Community Radio Project Ecos 93.9 FM, an independent radio station.

Day 12:

Spanish Lessons at Iowa Institute

Travel to Tucaní to visit with community.

Check in, dinner, and discussion

Day 13:

Group departs for Caracas AM

Check Into Hotel Santiago and free time for beach.

Wrap-up meeting and planning for steps to take back home

Day 14:

Return to Maiquetía International Airport in Caracas for departures.