Skip navigation

KEVIN ZEESE BRIGADE CRITICAL INFORMATION - 2023

  • PACK YOUR MEDICATION: If you take any chronic medications, bring enough medication for the entire trip. Other medications that may be useful to take with you on this trip include mosquito repellent, medications for colds, fever, nausea, diarrhea, anti-allergic and antihistamine pain relievers, eye drops, etc.
  • PERSONAL HYGIENE: Please be sure to travel with your own toiletries, including toilet paper, sunscreen, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, sanitary napkins, etc. You should also bring a towel.
  • BRING A WATER BOTTLE:You should drink bottled water during your stay in Venezuela. It is available in stores throughout the cities. There should be a large filtered water container at the Escuela but we encourage you to buy large bottles of water and fill up your individual bottle as needed. Please NEVER drink water from the sink. if you prefer not to drink from smaller disposable water bottles along with your meals, we suggest you bring a water purifier or tablets– the kind used for backpacking in regions where the water is impure.
  • TRIP FEE: Don't forget to go to a bank and bring the remaining cost of the trip in cash (+ some more for your personal expenses). Some business accept U.S credit cards and/or payments via Zelle (see bellow for more info)
  • COVID PROTOCOL: Venezuela is no longer requiring proof of vaccine or a negative PCR test. That said, a number of airlines are still requiring them, so just to be safe, please make sure to bring to the airport either proof of vaccination, or a negative PCR test taken within a couple days of your flight.

How much clothing should I bring?: The safest bet is to bring enough light, compact clothing to last you for two weeks. While at minimum we should be able to wash undergarments in bathroom sinks or showers where we’re staying, there’s no guarantee that we’ll have access to laundry in Venezuela. Please make sure to pack:

  • A sun-hat, visor, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • One set of nice clothes for high-level meetings (no need to be very professional, but bring something presentable!)
  • One pair of comfortable shoes 
  • Old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty
  • Both plug-in and portable battery chargers for any devices you plan to use. 
  • Please don't forget your passport and your Visa 

Some things to consider packing:

  • Bathing Suit
  • A notebook and pen
  • A camera
  • Light sweater for the evenings
  • Dancing outfits if you choose to go dancing
  • Flags and/or other items from your organization and materials to share at community meetings.
  • Ear plugs (in case you are a light sleeper and your roommate snores)
  • A spare pair of prescription glasses (if you need them), in case your main pair gets broken or lost.
  • Pink clothing! :)
  • YOUR ADDRESS IN VENEZUELA for customs forms is: Escuela Nacional Robinsoniana Avenida Sucre, Parroquia Catia, Municipio Libertador, Caracas, Venezuela
  • AT THE AIPORT IN CARACAS: The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry team will be waiting for you at the airport. Kindly refrain from leaving the airport's arrivals section (inside) until you have met the designated person picking you up. If you cannot find your pickup contact, please head to the VIP lounge, where you will find officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who will assist you in contacting Laura Franco, cel.: +584144015059
  • Try to get on a flight the next day, and let us know ASAP.

Click to view your trip itinerary

To be prepared for any eventuality, it would be a good idea to have this information written down and kept in your bag. That way, even if your phone runs out of batteries, you will have the information you need when you arrive.

U.S.-based trip organizer contacts (Contact via WhatsApp or Signal):

  • Adrienne Pine: +1 202 652-5601
  • David Paul: +1 415 994-5033 
  • Michelle Ellner: +1 407 431-4594

Venezuela-based contacts: 

  • Laura Franco, Simón Bolívar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among the Peoples. Cel. +584144015059. Email: [email protected]
  • Carlos Ron, Venezuelan Vice-Minister for North America, and President of the Simón Bolívar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples.

The weather in Caracas is sunny and pleasant, with occasional chances of rain. Temperatures can reach 30 ºC/86 ºF during the day and 15 ºC/59 ºF at night. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear, including warm clothes for the evenings. The weather in Anzoátegui and Sucre could be a little bit warmer than Caracas. (32ºC/89 ºF) during the day and 21 ºC/70 ºF during the evening.

  • You must withdraw your cash before we leave for Caracas. You should get your bills from the bank in the U.S. so that they are unmarked and clean. Your dollar bills will not be accepted unless they are in good condition (not noticeably warn, no tears or marks on), and most Venezuelan merchants rarely have change. Try to bring $50s, $20s and/or $10s for your trip fee, and a whole lot of $5s and $1s for your personal use.
  • For personal expenses you can use US credit cards (Visa). It is common to find private shops accepting Zelle payments. 

Might need money for:

  • Other beverages
  • Private excursions / optional cultural activities separate from the group (evening shows, not included in the program, etc.)
  • Transportation if you go off on your own (the public transportation is very unreliable, but taxis are easy to find and affordable)
  • Shopping! There will be lots of artwork, gifts, and rums to purchase for yourself or friends back home, so make sure to budget accordingly!

In Venezuela, the plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 120V, and the standard frequency is 60Hz.

There is WIFI in the Escuela but please keep in mind that we will likely have less access to places to charge and to cell phone/WiFi service than what you may be accustomed to in the U.S., especially outside Caracas. If you need to purchase a SIM card at your arrival, please inform the trip leaders and they will assist you

Be patient and flexible:

Traveling in any group presents challenges, and this is especially true in such a large group. Number one requirement to make this a great experience is PATIENCE. Number two requirement is FLEXIBILITY. Plans change at the last minute. Speakers don’t show up. Buses break down. Make the best of these snafus by making new friends in the group, leading us in song, telling jokes. Have fun and bring up the spirits of the others, especially the grumpy ones!

Be courteous:

Please be courteous to your fellow participants, our country hosts, guides, translators, waiters and those Venezuelans who choose to make presentations to our group. If a difficult situation should arise, try to think in terms of how you, as a member of the group, can contribute to a solution.

Respect and help the trip leaders: 

All of the trip leaders, both in the US and Venezuela, have been working very hard to put this trip together, and will be working REALLY hard during the trip. Please give all the trip leaders thanks, encouragement and assistance. For reasons of safety or for the interest of the group, there may also be times when the group leaders will advise against a particular action. Please respect their request.

Be punctual: 

Please try to be at our meeting places on time. Being mindful about punctuality will ensure that the group isn’t late and/or you won’t be inadvertently left behind. 

Respect different political views: 

Please remember that we are guests in Venezuela, a country with a different culture from that of the US, with a different (although intertwined) history. It is best to approach each new situation with an open mind. You are not there to convince either the other participants or the Venezuelans that Venezuela (or the US) are really great or really terrible. You’re there to learn, exchange ideas and have a good time. And remember: there are very different political viewpoints among Venezuelans, and among the trip participants. During this trip, you'll be hearing the pro-government side at many of our official visits. Some of your best information about everyday life in Venezuela can come from interactions with your guides, the informal evening sessions, and conversations you might strike up with people on the street.

We recommend that you spend some time researching the communes, the economic and political situation in Venezuela, as well as Venezuela-US relations. It is important to have a base level understanding of the history and current political context of Venezuela to get the most out of our delegation.

VENEZUELA POLITICAL ECONOMY BACKGROUND:

COMMUNE & COMMUNARD UNION BACKGROUND:

Some articles:

Books

Videos:

Webinars: