hubby daughter and her friend (both 16) and I were in caracus while on a cruise. in 1990. teens with ozzies (sp) everywhere. wearing m military garb. it was a beautiful city at that time. you could easily see poor versus rich. side of the mountain had literal shacks self built. if you lived there 2 years it was yours.. no facilities. we are talking shacks. went into the forests 17 clicks (whatever that meant. people were nice of course cause got paid for taking us there (thru cruise company) brought alcohol to the tribes who lived there.. the most beautiful scenery ever.. with nothing. one toilet (no scrubbies) for the whole place. were supposed to eat lunch. we didnt. spaghetti!! with gecko in tomato sauce. children running around free.. beautiful smiling kids one of my favorite trips actually and still talk about it. i think that was the last year they did it. now i know why.

Links in above X-Post:

https://theworld.org/stori...

https://badlands.substack....

https://badlands.substack....