One ​​of the things I'm always grateful for, and never stop appreciating, is having traveled a lot as a child, even though most of the trips were within the same state, because each place has its own experiences and stories worth remembering. Only once during our vacations was when we went to Maracaibo, in Zulia State. I think it was because it was a bit far away; we didn't go back often, and everything started to get more expensive, allowing us to do the kind of tourism that was common at that time.

I remember it was very beautiful, but quite hot. You could feel the heat emanating from the earth. Ugh! We wore comfortable, cool clothes for most of the trip. Well, my dad and my uncles were "used to it" because they lived mostly in Carora during their childhood, which is known for its very hot climate, so it didn't affect them. It definitely affected the rest of us. I think this photo is very beautiful. Despite how disheveled we were from the wind, you can clearly see the bridge in the background, and I must admit that crossing it was quite an exciting experience. It's impossible not to think of the song "When I go to Maracaibo and I start crossing the bridge, I feel such a great emotion..." So many emotions are coming back to me, really.

Lately I've felt more and more how families have grown apart, and it's especially noticeable during this time of year with so many birthdays, how few of us remain in the country and how much we miss celebrating each other's birthdays. If I had the chance to visit Maracaibo again, I wouldn't hesitate. I have wonderful memories of it and would like to continue marveling at its culture, remembering that each state has its own unique traditions.