I do not know how to explain what happened today in Caracas. I have gone through 10 years of marches and nothing was like today. Never did I see as many people, never did I see such a positive mood. And amen of chavistas either subdued or, well, friendly. It is in the wind....
I took plenty of pictures and I am putting some below, sort of in the order they happened. I hope you enjoy them. The last one is from Avenida Bolivar which I managed to reach but did not dare to enter as you will understand easily. I did not reduce it as much as the others so if you click to enlarge you can see in the fog the stand where Capriles would arrive for his speech about an hour later. A speech, by the way, which was stunning, and the harshest attack yet on Maduro. Also, I did take some pictures with my Blackberry that I tweeted live. You can go and see them at @danielduquenal
This is a spur of the moment video. My first HD but youtube did not pick it up and it is more blurred than on my computer copy ... Anyway, it is not a big deal but you can get some of the festive feel.
Here at the very end/edge of Bolivar Avenue, on an overpass of sorts leading to ex-Hilton. Needless to say that I did not even consider getting down to the avenue and went instead looking for the next exit subway...
PS: if you have pictures that you think may add to this series, please send them in.
I took plenty of pictures and I am putting some below, sort of in the order they happened. I hope you enjoy them. The last one is from Avenida Bolivar which I managed to reach but did not dare to enter as you will understand easily. I did not reduce it as much as the others so if you click to enlarge you can see in the fog the stand where Capriles would arrive for his speech about an hour later. A speech, by the way, which was stunning, and the harshest attack yet on Maduro. Also, I did take some pictures with my Blackberry that I tweeted live. You can go and see them at @danielduquenal
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| The flow arriving from Altamira at Chacaito |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| The frangipani are blooming. I thought I'd share. :) |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| This is the crush starting at the Solano avenue, the march funnel. The arch in the distant back is the one from the video below. |
This is a spur of the moment video. My first HD but youtube did not pick it up and it is more blurred than on my computer copy ... Anyway, it is not a big deal but you can get some of the festive feel.
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Entering the Solano there are several buildings which are lodging refugees since 2010. Some are getting tired. For one, they were less aggressive than usual, but also they are switching towards Capriles as this stunning picture shows. I am quite proud of that p icture;) These people have been occupying a derelict hotel for more than 2 years and Mision Vivienda or not there is no relief in sight for them. Or is there some coming April 14? |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| This time around, with Chavez gone, there is less tension between chavismo and opposition, and a truck can be parked on a side street doing there stuff without any harm happening to anyone. Is this the start of a reconciliation? |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| I also liked this opportunity to see the fake (reconstructed) Bolivar giant poster form PDVSA building looking down on his "children" while Caracas soul, the Avila, peers through the calina, warm weather pre rain season thick atmosphere. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Another window with refugees that go now with Capriles. They are taking pictures of people cheering them! |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Exiting Solano Avenue and reaching Plaza Venezuela. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Charming street vendors that wanted me to have their picture taken! |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| More chavistas trying to hold the fort, but all very good natured. They even posed with whomever wanted to have a picture taken with them. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| The entry and the exit of the tunnel under plaza Venezuela. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Get your Capriles head gear. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Entering the welcoming shade of Los Caobos park, en route for Avenida Bolivar. The following picture is taken on the left side of this one. |
| Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  |
| Homeless makeshift housing, on the edge of Caracas open sewer,, the Gûaire River. 14 years of revolution and this is still an everyday occurrence. Where are the Misiones? |
Here at the very end/edge of Bolivar Avenue, on an overpass of sorts leading to ex-Hilton. Needless to say that I did not even consider getting down to the avenue and went instead looking for the next exit subway...
PS: if you have pictures that you think may add to this series, please send them in.