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Daniel White from New Zealand (dan_white@yahoo.co.nz)
Hola! Como estas? That was all my Spanish prior to arriving to Venezuela. I couldn’t even answer it myself! 5 months later I can answer it, and continue the conversation a lot further than I ever thought possible. Living with the language, the culture, the various people who help you succeed in expanding your Spanish language and the locals who give you credit for trying to speak their language. It’s the fastest and easiest way to learn a language.

I learnt German for three years in secondary school. Sitting in a classroom an hour a day, four times a week means you don’t learn enough. You leave the class, and speak English. In Venezuela it’s a whole new playing ground. The teacher understands the whole environment you are in, and works around this to give you the best lessons possible. Perfect English with excellent Spanish combines to make the teachers a true treasure to Jakera.

What makes Language Travel & Adventure even better is the fact while you are in Venezuela you get to do once in a lifetime opportunities with the guides of Jakera.

One of the main trips involved us to sea kayak down the Orinoco Delta River. It runs deep into the jungle far from the cities and roads. There is nothing out there but great wildlife and adventure. Learning the survival of the jungle. Yet always safe with our two guides, and a local Warao Indian to point out the amazing insects and wildlife living in this mixed tropical rainforest. Living with local Indians in the second half of the trip made you realise the life you lead is so much easier than theirs, and you are greatful of the things you have at home. It’s a touching experience to see people live such an interesting lifestyle next to a river, with a few canoes they have made from moriche trees, sleeping in hammocks all their life under a roof of fern leaves and branches. They really survive on nothing out there. Then 10 days later you hop out of the river back to civilisation.

The second main trip and my favourite was the hike up Mt Roraima. Don’t ask why it’s my favourite because sure its tough, but the rewards weep at the top. On top of the world, you can see so far. It really does feel (and looks) like the moon. It’s a fun six days. One trip I will never forget. The two guides and local Pemon Indian guide make it so much better than just a walk up a large 2800m Tepuy.

The 2 months of work experience I chose to spend in Merida taking full opportunity of Merida. It’s a student city, with a ratio of one male to eight females. There are plenty of great bars catering for all types of music and people. But not only that, it has plenty to offer for the tourist industry let me tell you! I went parasailing 1000m up one of the many hills surrounding Merida. I wanted to take a weeklong parasailing course, but time wasn’t on my side. I also went white water rafting a few times down some great rivers. I also went off the course for ten days to visit Colombia.

Staying at the beautiful Jakera Posada in the heart of Merida. There was great food and people once again. Jakera offered us a lot at their Playa Colorada Camp. First, it’s an excellent place to stay and the food is delicious. I now know how to cook a few Spanish dishes and various breads. The beach is located just over the road. There’s plenty of time to catch a tan, or burn for some (me). We went on numerous walks around local hills, the local towns, and also waterfall abseiling and rock climbing in there too.

Overall Jakera offers an excellent way to learn a language that’s different, and while doing so you can have fun, and have so many opportunities to do the things you have always wanted to do. I shall return someday for another taste of Venezuela. Jakera is my first and only choice.

Anthony Doornbos (Freakish_ant@hotmail.com)
To start with I would like to say that I highly enjoyed my time in Venezuela with Language Travel & Adventure. I went on the 6-month trip, which consisted of a trip to Caripe, Kayak trip down the Orinoco Delta, Hike up Mount Roraima and a trip to Angel falls. Due to other options that presented to me during my time in Venezuela I didn’t go on the Angel falls trip so I don’t have much knowledge of how that trip went. Also while I was here I chose to go to Los Roques and Merida for my work experiences.

Of the standard trips I would have to say that I enjoyed the Delta trip the most. I highly enjoyed being so far out of civilisation and having to earn every kilometre that we progressed down the river. It’s the kind of trip that builds character and bonds between the other group members. With the Kayaking itself testing you physically and the relentless attack from insects testing you mentally. It is also a welcomed escape from the hustle bustle of city life, a chance to get back with nature.

On this trip I also learned some valuable skills such as being able to set up a camp site in even the most hostel of conditions and being able to cook quick easy meals that keep you strong and supply the nutrients for the days obstacles.

The natural diversity of Venezuela becomes clear during the trip to the Gran Sabana. After seeing the thick lush jungle of the Delta and then the vast flat bareness of the Sabana with the great Tepuys rising out of the ground. This trip also gives you a feeling of self satisfaction after days of walking and lugging your great packs up Roraima and you stand up there feeling like your looking down on the entire world.

For my first work experiences I was in Merida. This city is perfect for everyone whole loves to party. It is a university city with a booming nightlife, and the best thing is that everything is so unbelievably cheap. For the second work experience I was situated in the beautiful tropical islands of Los Roques. This place would have to have been one of the high lights of my trip. Working on a little island surrounded by many many perfect little tropical islands.

On the whole this trip is an excellent opportunity to go out and experience new cultures and see some of the worlds most beautiful and animal rich places in the world. Whilst learning Spanish and many other handy skills.

A must do for anybody who wants to experience all life has to offer.

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