Please read this. Please.

Hi guys! Well, it is really late in my country and so I just figured I'd go ramble a bit on my journal, because who needs sleep right?

So, I don't know if any of you have heard, my country, Venezuela, has been and is still going through some really hard times that just seem to get worse. For those of you who don't know, Venezuela is located just above Colombia in South America, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. It is actually a very beautiful country, with thousands of astounding beaches and natural resources, and the people, being Latins, are very warm and caring and like to have loads of fun. But here's the thing; we have under the same government for more than 12 years, when the longest the president could've been on the post was 8 years (that is, until he changed the laws to be reelected as many times as he wanted), and when this is supposed to be still a "democratic" country. Now, I know you are thinking, what's the big issue? I mean, there are a lot of other countries that have had the same president for lots of years and they're fine now, even better than before. The thing is, this formerly free to walk about, culturally alive place has become one when you can't actually go out of your house without being afraid you're going to be robbed, kidnapped, or worse. A place where walking down the street in the city is a matter of extreme vigilance, and in which if you as much as take out your phone you might as well have a giant, brightly lit Broadway sign that says "here I am, come for me!". A place in which you hear constantly "Oh yeah, my so-and-so relative or the other was taken the other day, but thank god nothing bad happened", and it is part of your day to day conversations. I mean, isn't getting kidnapped bad enough?  I am not trying to scare you here, please don't think that. I just want to make you aware of a reality that is happening right now in some corner of the world. You might ask yourselves, why are you talking about this now, in this moment, when you've been living there you whole life? Well, we have elections coming up in October, less than a month from now, and tension has been building up like crazy. The people of the opposition, as we call ourselves, the people who do not agree with the government, to say it nicely, are really hoping for a change. I don't know what will happen if we don't win. Actually, no, I think we all here have a pretty good idea of what's gonna happen if the actual president wins again. A lot of families will leave the country, to say the least. I myself am planning to study in the U.S. because my parents are too scared of me having to go every day to the university in my own car. Because the streets are literally falling down, the roads are too dangerous, there is almost no lightning at night, that is, if there is any power at all. They are afraid of what could happen, and I don't blame them. But it would still be very, very nice if I got to stay on my country, with my family and friends. And the only way to even think that as a possibility is if our candidate wins. And I know countless cases like my own. Countless.
So now, to the point. I know all of you have your own problems, but it would mean the world to me and all Venezuelans if you could have all of us in your prayers (if you believe in God, or are from any other religion, and if you aren't, just have us in mind and hope, please, for the best). Because I believe that even just with that small favor you would help us in some way, no matter how small. And of course, I will have you in my mind in turn, and wish you all the best.

Thank you for reading this if you did, and if you didn't that's ok too,

Love you all,

       Gaby