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Thread: Getting to Venezuela

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    England
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    894

    Getting to Venezuela

    At school, we have the opportunity to go on a World Challenge trip to Venezuela for a month. Due to the high demand and lack of teachers, we had to write 500 words explaining why we want to go and what we'd get out of it. This is what I wrote, and I'd like your feedback:
    Quote Originally Posted by My entry

    The Italian merchant Amerigo Vespucci led an expedition in 1499 to the Gulf of Venezuela, on the north-west coast of the country. When he reached the Guajira Peninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea, he saw the palafitos, the stilt-villages, that the native Añu people had built. This reminded him of the town of Venice, which is the most famous town on stilts. The region, and then the country, became Veneziela, “Little Venice”, which later evolved to Venezuela. I have never been to Venice, nor even to Italy (let alone outside Europe), and would gladly accept the chance to go as far afield as Venezuela, even if it did mean raising £3,500. This would force me to spend time every week working to raise the money, an idea which I'm not too keen on; and of the entire Challenge, I would find this the most difficult part, despite what people say. It would probably impel me to be a bit more motivated; perhaps my room would end up tidier, as organisational skills seem to be key (and something I'm all too willing to learn).

    Another key part of the Challenge seems to be the “survival” aspect: learning to cook, living under the stars, and getting around a foreign country by oneself. Being in the CCF, and looking forward to participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the following years, means I have learnt some of these skills, and would definitely love to test and extend them in a truly challenging environment, unlike the Kent woods or Devon moors that I have used them in. Combined with a new culture and a new language, this would be nothing less than exhilarating.

    I am very keen on learning languages. I love the cultures involved, and feel of new words on my tongue. Not having spent any time learning Spanish before, I would welcome the opportunity to learn Spanish, especially starting in Latin America. This way, should I ever visit Spain, I'll be able to see the differences between the two. I'd enjoy trying, and probably miserably failing, to interpret for a team.

    I enjoy working in a team. Once again, this puts pressure on me to get it right, and is something I've been taught in the CCF especially; and I'm sure I'll learn again in the DoE. Something I'd especially have to get right is cooking, and something I do very little of. Suddenly becoming a chef for a group of hungry challengers should be something of a challenge in itself! Liking unusual food doesn't mean I can cook it!

    For someone who hardly ever leaves the country, I love travelling; which is rather probably a result of the former. I like not knowing what's next, where I am, and the anxious anticipation it entails. I like going on walks, again for the same reasons: experiencing new things and going to new places. I'd be ecstatic to be an ambassador from England to a country so different, so far away, but so close to heart: I'd like to see what Hugo Chàvez has made of democratic socialism. I am appetent to see somewhere as unalike as here.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Beans
    6,024

    Re: Getting to Venezuela

    That's pretty expensive, with that kinda money you can easily spend 5-6 months in South Africa if you rough it a bit and stay in backpackers.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
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    1,869

    Re: Getting to Venezuela

    How 'bout Colombia, we have mountains - and los llanos (soy un llanero!) + las Amazonas too!
    You could have some fun time learning surviving skills from la guerrilla.


    Anyway... since the competition's only for Venezuela, the essay seems fine.
    You pretty much mentioned all the key points (The New World, culture. Might as well mention something about the urge you've had all your life about visiting the llanos [Venezuela's somewhat famous for them (llanos = plains)] or las Amazonas.
    Last edited by Dual Cortex; November 12th, 2006 at 09:08 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    England
    Beans
    894

    Re: Getting to Venezuela

    But what do you think of the mini-essay!?

    Am I going to get in?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    United Kingdom
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    4,848

    Re: Getting to Venezuela

    My sister's off on world challenge this summer.

    I can't see why you wouldn't get in with that essay.
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    Re: Getting to Venezuela

    Quote Originally Posted by Dual Cortex View Post
    How 'bout Colombia, we have mountains - and los llanos (soy un llanero!) + las Amazonas too!
    You could have some fun time learning surviving skills from la guerrilla.


    Anyway... since the competition's only for Venezuela, the essay seems fine.
    You pretty much mentioned all the key points (The New World, culture. Might as well mention something about the urge you've had all your life about visiting the llanos [Venezuela's somewhat famous for them (llanos = plains)] or las Amazonas.
    Do you have selvas or something like that, or is it in Brazil???

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Atlanta, Georgia
    Beans
    1,869

    Re: Getting to Venezuela

    Well... selva = jungle.
    You're mainly talking about the Amazon rainforest/jungle/etc. which is pretty big:

    and extends to many south American countries; though most of it is in Brazil.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    England
    Beans
    894

    Re: Getting to Venezuela

    Wow... that graphic is psychedelic!

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