Who says GM can't build small cars. They do,but not for us dumb Americans in the states. You see, we were conned by Detroit that we had to have gas guzzling SUV's  to be hip. When the price of gas skyrocketed Americans made a mad dash for small cars again only to find that Detroit was abandoning cars for....SUV's. But, hold the presses! GM does build small cars all over the world.(They just don't make these vehicles available to us hicks here) For example, the most popular car in Caracas, Venezuela was not made by Toyota or Honda ladies and gents. It's Chevrolet.  In the states we may think those small Chevy Aveos are cheesy, but they're ubiquitous in the streets of Caracas. Some of the various Chevy models in Caracas are simply re-badged, German designed Opels (GM's German subsidiary) probably made in Brazil, Columbia or Mexico. I think because of the strong presence of Catholicism in South America, the Chevy bow tie becomes a signifier for the crucifix, hence the brand's popularity over the touted Japanese brands. Ford is also popular here with its Fiesta and Ka subcompacts. It makes you wonder after all the moolah Detroit wants from the U.S. taxpayer in the form of billion dollar bail outs-why GM and Ford doesn't simply sell us the cars they produce in South America and all over Europe? Well guys?

The Museo De Bellas Artes 

In Caracas, Venezuela features 

works by Rembrandt,Picasso, Calder and Warhol. 

Two scenes from Caracas, Venezuela

Bario Bruzual
Night in metropolitan Caracas (below) with the majestic wall of the Parque National El Avila in the background. Bario Bruzual(left) is one of the poorer areas of Caracas.

View of Caracas, Venezuela

Interactive art at the Tienda Museo De Bellas Artes

                                        left: Interactive art piece at Tienda Museo De Bellas                                                 Artes in Caracas, Venezuela. 
right: ??? Is this our mystery man, Kenneth Sullivan, or his faithful sidekick Jimi Stone? Photo taken at Tienda Museo De Bellas Artes in Caracas, Venezuela.

GroundZero Television in Caracas, Venezuela

Hola! or hello my friends. I've just spent the past week in Venezuela. Very shortly, I will began uploading more pix and hopefully, video. It was an amazing trip. I was a part of a contingent of Brooklyn College Grad School students, along with New York City Council member, Charles Baron who made the trek to the South American nation. Unfortunately, we didn't meet president Chavez, but we met other government and community officials including the man who might succeed Chavez one day. More later...

Return to normalcy for Beyonce

**Update on Beyonce** Slowly as the evening progressed, Beyonce started to overcome her anxiety from oral surgery. She took a while to get over her anger at me leaving her at the vet for most of the morning. By eleven in the evening she anxiously surveyed the apartment no doubt searching for the vetenarian who now has become her nemesis. When I awoke in the morning, Beyonce was hiding under the amoire and slowly came out to see me off to work. When I returned home, and as I was opening the door, I heard the most pleasent sound. It was Beyonce meowing like she always does when I arrive home. I picked her up and sat her in my lap and gently embraced the magnificent Persian cat. She purred. Things are fine once again.

Beyonce Goes To The Vet

Today Beyonce went to the vet for a dental cleaning and treatment for gum disease. I dropped her off in the morning and picked her up in the afternoon. The anesthesia was still affecting her hind legs as she scampered out of the kennel when we arrived at the apartment. To say she's pissed off at me is an understatement. I usually stay with her when I go to the vet, but the vet only performs dentals in the morning and I had to go to work. She's still frightened and is resting behind the audio stand. She doesn't want me to touch her, uttering a low pitched growl. I hope she forgives me. For now it seems I have to give Beyonce her space for now.