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¿Ahora, Si? ¡Ahora, Pare!

Venezuelans are proud of their Caribbean lifestyle: clear, blue ocean waters, miles of sandy beaches, skimpy clothing for all whether August of December, and of course, the Caribbean beat that dominates the music blasting from every street vendor in Caracas.

This Caribbean flavor permeates every piece of life, even the Bolivarian Revolution. These days, a favorite song has nothing to do with love lost or gained. Instead, it promotes another passion: Chavismo.

Whether walking to an interview, scrambling to take a photo of Venezuelan life before someone tries to steal my camera, or eating lunch purchased from a street vendor, I, like every other living, breathing person here, move to the beat of "¡Ahora, Si!" a song that essentially says, "Socialism is fun! More fun than going to the beach or falling in love or dancing merengue! We don't have to sing about such trivialities any longer now that we have socialism!"

Now, I don't speak Spanish, so that translation may not be word for word. In fact, trusted sources tell me a more accurate translation goes something like this:

"Yes, yes, yes
the hour of the people
Yes, yes, yes
the hour of the poor
of men, of women,
Yes, yes
of the workers . . ."

and on and on it goes. Every day, in every city I've visited. Yes, yes, the song goes.

In other words, Vote Chavez!

As a referendum scheduled for Dec. 2 nears, Chavistas flood the streets, seemingly without warning, to exhort all Venezuelans to vote "Si!" On my way to interviews and meetings, I've been caught several times in a teeming surge of bright red as Chavistas wearing their favorite color take over the neighborhood. The bass thuds, the congas pulse, the voices swell, and then Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez begins to speak to his people:

"Now, yes! Seven or eight years after, now with a clear direction, now we have a deeper knowledge, a deeper understanding . . .blah, blah, blah . . ."

Then:

"Ahora, si, si, si, Ahora, si si si . . ."

By the time the lyrics get to "Sociolismo inclusion . . ." I've heard enough.

But my weariness of the same song over and over and over and ov (okay, I'll stop) doesn't matter.

It's quite possible I'll be roused from a deep sleep to "¡Ahora, si!" as Chavistas bring their parade to my neighborhood.

Care to give it a listen?

http://venezuelaenrevolucion.blogspot.com/2007/11/revolucin-bolivariana.html

¡Ahora, Pare!