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Between this year and last year, I think this is the first time I’ve ever been a little worried about our travels. In so many ways the things going on here greatly resemble Zimbabwe, yet I don’t feel as safe here. I’ve read so many books and articles about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and in Harare, but I have never been in the midst of one while it was occurring. The students here are protesting in opposition to the government and their efforts to re-write the Constitution and re-shape the quality of life here. As the students have been showing their solidarity, the government has had it’s own set of supporters that have tended to always show up and act as aggressors towards the students. We were out trying to see the town on our rest day and some students got together and started an impromptu rally in the city center. The Embassy official with us immediately began to rush us away so that we would not be misconstrued as opponents to the government’s rule and potentially treated harshly.

If the word spreads that a protest against the government is imminent, it is highly likely that the President here will shut down the streets and halt all transportation so that people cannot travel to the protest sites. It’s a bit unsettling for me because I’m in a foreign land and I can’t effectively speak the language. In addition to all of that, I don’t get the feeling that they like Americans. I have stories that support my belief, but I’ll save that for another time.

I’ve found myself a little more reserve and somewhat apprehensive in this country. I guess that I’m just taking it all in and trying to process everything. Young adults my age and younger are now fighting for everything that my parents and grandparents fought for so that I could live comfortably. I have never myself known what social injustice of this magnitude has felt like. This is just a hint to it all. I pray that the mercy of God will fall on the land and He will hear the cries of the people.

We had a workshop today in an area of town called Hatillo and it was for some young jazz and classical music students. Many kids weren’t able to come because of the protests, but a great, attentive few were there. This is the first and only workshop that was scheduled here in Venezuela, but I have to admit that seeing those kids really made me forget about the ills of the city and remember why I’m here. The kids were learning about hip hop for the first time and they were very excited. We even brought up some musicians in the crowd and had a small jam session (which kind of reminded me of when I worked at Day Jams this past summer). I really enjoyed myself, probably more than the kids!

This is a shot of the town as I saw it from the venue:

The top of the venue… I had to get low for this one:

Everyone was watching in awe as the power of the Bass guitar began to fall on me:

This is a picture of me and my ensemble, Hip Hop Clarinet and Hip Hop Trumpet:

My homie and creator of the “Solid Pocket” Blackfist with the Percussions Only club (jackets coming soon):

Remember to check out AFAR’s blog to see what the other guys are saying about the tour!