First Two Days of Camp

The fist day of camp started well. Due to the traffic, and talented bus drivers, we arrived at camp about 9:30. Camp starts at 9. But taking in account the fact that it was the first day, not so bad. Once we had all the campers, or whoever was coming that day, (more came the2nd day, and there will be more in future weeks.) we stopped the football (Soccer) game that had started. We all lined up, said the first 6 Pesukim, and gave the bunks names. Due to the current situation in Israel, we named the bunks after the 4 holy cities in Eretz Yisroel. Oldest bunk: Tzfas. Counselor Yosale Schuchat (,from Caracas). Second to oldest bunk: Chevron. Counselor: Shmary Gurary (,from Israel). Third to oldest bunk: Tveria. Counselor: Shmaya Haskelevitch (,from Russia). Youngest bunk: Moishy Korf (,from France). The three younger bunks already have Co-Counselors (local guys), the oldest bunk didnt get one yet. We Davened, followed by a snack. Then we started a soccer game, just to see how good the kids are. We ate lunch, and then we went... BOWLING!!! Yeah! Trip on the first day! By the time we got back, it was already late. (3:15 or so, camp finishes 3, and the buses are supposed to arrive at the locations by 3:30.) But at the end of the day there were 4 tired counselors, but a bunch of happy campers. So it couldnt be all bad. Head counselor Shmulik Schuchat moved in to the apt. last night. Yosale is coming next week. Since since whole week he needs to take care of the bus going from La Florida (,his Neighborhood). Shmary goes early to take the bus that leaves from San Bernardino (,Rabbi Slavin´s Chabad House / Site of the Yeshiva of old), which then goes to Altamira, our location, and takes the other two guys. Next week the other two will switch with them, etc.The buses here are a story for themselves, which we´ll discuss in day two. Supper by the Rosenblums, we had to serve ourselves, since Shui, his wife, and Rabbi Perman were all busy talking to diferent people! (Hey, cant complaine, Shlichus comes first!)

Day two started on time. As soon as all the buses arrived, we got back on the buses, and went to the park. We lined up, and said the Pesukim. But then it started raining. Shui found out there were some covered picnic tables all the way up the hill, so we went there to Daven and eat snack. (The schuchats later told Shui that they never even knew that those tables existed. And the Camp has been coming here for years! Shui later explained the Inyen of Hashgacha Protis to the kids. That it rained, just so we should go Daven and make Brochos there.) When we finished Davening etc. it had stopped raining. So we went down to the courts, and started the Socer games. This time, divided by teams, Rostov, Lubavitch, Nikolayev and Liadi. (The kids didn't all get the names right, so they called it names like Rosto, Nigolaso etc.) By the time the games were ending, we had to head back to camp for lunch. As soon as lunch was over, we got back on the buses to go SWIMMING! The kids loved it, especially the 3 blown up slides! Then we started back to camp. On the way Shui spoke, as we mentioned. Then Shmulik told the story of the Baal Shem Tov with the leaf. Snacks were served on the bus. On our way the bus was having EXTRA problems, and we broke down. The bus always has problems when this driver drives. Jose, Shui`s chaufer, fixed the bus a few times. and we finally continued. But with all these delays, we had to entertain the kids, so we taught them a song in Russian! (Ochi Chi Slivi...) Whats even more surprising is that they caught on pretty fast! Also it was already late, so we played around a bit with the regular bus schedule. Our bus went straight to Altamira. The Girls and Kiddy Camp, all took the second bus to Altamira. When they got there, all the La Florida kids took the 2nd/Girls bus to La Florida, Jose took the San Bernardino kids in his SUV, and Shui took some of the kids that get picked up, to Hebraica (Our camp). We weren't going to take another chance with this bus. Whoever he was able to, he told to come get their kids from Altamira. Another tiring but nice day comes to an end. And for tomorrow trip to the Indian Caves, we`re getting the other driver (same bus?)

Also the driving over here is quite interesting. Nobody listens to laws. Cars come out of nowhere with no warning, which puts them and others on the road, in danger. Also there are Billboards and Graffiti, promoting Socialism, and calling the US, through the CIA Nazi Imperialists! And we`re told to be careful what we say in the poorer areas of the city, which we might sometimes be in for trips. Some crazy country this is. BTW the exchange rate that we quoted before (2500), is the official Black Market rate. The real rate is 2000, but since its illegal to change bolivares to dollars, its a better rate on the Black Market.Tonight (Tue. night) we ate by the Slavins. It was very nice. Rabbi Raitport was also eating there, which made the conversation more interesting/entertaining.

B`Kitzur, were enjoying ourselves, and it seems like Shui is happy with our work.