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My stay here lasted longer than I initially thought. I have to accept that I have privileges that, without them, would really complicate things a lot more. 1- I'm not paying rent (for now). 2- I'm generating income in Bitcoin (not as much as I'd like, for now, but enough to cover some expenses). 3- Support from my close family.
There is no shortage of food, and I pray to God that it will not happen again.
In the municipality where I am, they ration the water. From Monday to Friday, there is no water from 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, there is water all day. If people don't want to be so affected by this, they solve the problem by having tanks to store water. Since the water that comes to my house is from a well, it works with a pump, which means that when there is no electricity there is also no water, because the pump runs on electricity. These rationing measures can be nonexistent or worse depending on the location.
The electricity, in the first 4 months that I have been here, the power only went out about 4 or 5 times a month, for an hour and a couple of times for 5 hours.
For the last 2 months, the electricity has been going out every other day, that is, one day on and one day off for 4 continuous hours.
What do people do to counteract the discomfort of not having electricity? Those with a better economic position opt for solar panels or electric generators (these are the ones that some businesses usually have).
In my case, we can't afford solar panels yet because they're expensive, but we opted for rechargeable light bulbs, rechargeable fans because it gets very hot here and there are too many mosquitoes, power banks for our phones, and finally, something I didn't know about until I got here: mini UPS units to keep the router running when there's no electricity. In fact, I'm posting this right now while I don't have electricity at home.
Domestic cooking gas #997415 and gasoline #970475 are two other headaches; here are some posts I made about them.
For times when there's no gas, we have a backup electric stove, air fryer, electric griddle, electric rice cooker, and any other appliance that can cook with electricity. If you have neither electricity nor gas, then you're just out of luck, and with a bit of luck, you might be able to buy bread.
Public health is the same or worse than when I emigrated several years ago.
The salaries are absurd. This topic deserves a lengthy post.
In conclusion, we all maneuver as best we can to alleviate the discomforts and disadvantages of living here.
Edit:
An absurd comment I read on X
It's because of bitcoin farms like this that they cut off our electricity in Venezuela so that a few cronies can profit at the expense of the Venezuelan people's needs.
Like most of us, I've thought about how much more beneficial bitcoin will be for people in places like where you are than places like where I am, but this post made me realize the same is true for home power generation.
I've been thinking about solar panels for a while, but they don't solve a real problem for me because we have reliable electricity. It only goes out a few times a year and not usually when there's much sunlight. Solar panels would mostly just reduce our electricity bill, which makes them a purely financial decision.
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Having income in Bitcoin does give you a great advantage over others; I don't suffer those headaches if the "dollar goes up" or if some item is being charged at the official rate or black market rate, a topic also extensive and worthy of a publication; making payments here is ridiculous.
financial decision
You've convinced me with this. Obviously, you have to make a significant initial investment to install the solar panels, but if that means saving money in the medium and long term, then I think it's a good idea.
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It could be hard life but things are managenable.
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53 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 9h
Thanks for the update.
Of course they will blame bitcoin for power shortages.
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Sorry I'm oblivious to most of what Venezuela is like, but I'm curious. What's the government like? Do you feel free? Real question. I'm trying to figure out what it's like to live there. Pardon me while I ask lots of questions.
Are the streets dirty? Is there an organization that is supposed to clean but is neglecting their duties? Is there trash collection?
Is it safe to go out? Is there violence? To people conceal carry or brandish weapons? Are there police?
Are there constant reminders of a system or something that used to work but doesn't anymore? Does everyone feel it? Is there hope?
Do people respect the law? Do people covet precious metals? Has it always been that way?
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222 sats \ 0 replies \ @bief57 OP 11h
Don't apologize, all questions are welcome.
No, you don't feel free because anything you say against the government is considered a crime they call "treason" and is punishable by jail, torture, and sometimes death. Obviously, it's not legal, but they do it anyway, and nobody can do anything about it.
Are the streets dirty? Is there an organization that is supposed to clean but is neglecting their duties? Is there trash collection?
It all depends on where you are. There are areas where the garbage truck doesn't come, and others where it does, but only because the community pays for it directly. Some places have dirty streets, and others are spotless, and yes, that's because they have cleaning staff from the city hall.
Is it safe to go out? Is there violence? To people conceal carry or brandish weapons? Are there police?
I mainly emigrated because of the high crime rate a few years ago, but now it feels a little "calm" but I still don't trust it.
Are there constant reminders of a system or something that used to work but doesn't anymore? Does everyone feel it? Is there hope?
Yes, most people understand this system. Yes, there are people who support the government. Collective hope reaches its peak during elections or similar events; the rest of the time, everyone just gets by with their routines.
Honest people respect the law.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 3h
I'm generating income in Bitcoin (not as much as I'd like, for now, but enough to cover some expenses).
How are you generating sats over there? Do you work online or do jobs that pay in sats locally?
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With you posts and @Malos_10 photos I have learned more about Venezuela that I would have if I just stuck to traditional social media (X, Snapchat). Thank you for sharing how life is in this country.
In America we are always chasing more. Bigger house, fancier car, always more and posts like this really makes me thankful that I live here in America and don’t have to worry about much. After reading the book Poor Economics this post gives a first hand account of how it can be hard for people to get ahead when basic needs like water aren’t met without worry.
My question is how do Venezuelans treat foreigners? Are there a lot of Chinese and Indian residents there?
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Great post, thanks for sharing the reality.
What's the vibe with the US Navy really close to Venezuela coast? Vienen los Gringos???
Every time I talk to my mom, she's nervous about the invasion. I don't think it's going to happen....
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Angie 7h
Bueno pues, tú vida de emigrante esta como la de mi país solo que nos somos recidentes, que te parece 4 horas o más en la capital y en el resto del país 22 a la corriente le llamamos alumbron, te la quitan a cualquier hora,si estás lavando terminas a mano, el sistema médico sin medicación, con virus o la peste no se si es negra o bubónica te la disfrazan con el chikungunya pero la basura no se recoge las calles estan llenas de vectores el olor a podrido es por cada cuadra, la alimentación supera el salario mínimo, el 90 % de la población es adulta mayor. Y no es África. Fuimos el primer país en tener corriente eléctrica en Latinoamérica y no se si están minando Bitcoin, o nos están poniendo a prueba antes de las cámaras de gas, pero al paso que vamos esto es un campo de concentración, no hay escapatoria la mayoría de los jóvenes se drogan con el químico, roban para comprar ese papelito, prefieren estar así que no ver la realidad sin futuro en el que viven. Si la cosa esta mala en Venezuela por ser emigrante imagínate yo este país donde nací.
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Thanks for the update!!
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