Diario las Américas Newspaper, March 21, 1954, Page 27

The shortest route to Belivar Peak is the steep side of the northern erest, The north side of Bolivar Peak. A shorter but steeper route to the peak was recently found by two Andes University professors. Typical of the high Venezuelan Andes is this plant of long, white, - lanceolate leaves, called Frailején (Espeletia). Outside Venezuela it is known to grow only in India. Nature has endowed Venezuela with a large diversification of scenery. The Sierra Nevada de Mérida, in the heart of the Andes mountains, makes an interesting contrast with the hot flat- lands (llanos), the Caribbean coast, the Guayana jungle and even the coastal range. It looks like a section of some northern land whimsically embedded in a tropical country. No other region of Venezuela offers such a great variety of scenic beauty in such a reduced space—rushing streams, waterfalls, lakes, dales, glaciers, and an abundance of flowers within sight of snow capped peaks, all amidst the breathtaking majesty of the Andes. The highest point, Bolivar Peak, is 16,634 feet above sea PasAmMm™=Nn SO=sMms TNO SEPM A= "V6MeP?F mI™ TONY’S TALKING TOURS | _—__—_——— By ANTONIO RUIZ ——_ General Election in The “Worker's Paradise” | THE SOVIET UNION had a general election last Sunday. Ap- proximately 110,000,000 persons were eligible to vote. They were to choose 1,331 new members of the Supreme Soviet (Parliament), among exactly... 1,331 candidates. For each post, a citizen of the “Peoples Democracy” could choose exactly among... ONE CANDI. DATE!!... Lenin once said that “it is true that liberty is precious—so precious that it must be rationed.” But, aren’t the comrades going a little too far with the rationing of candidates? It did not matter, how- ever. According to the news coming from Moscow, millions “flocked” to the voting booths to deposit their “secret ballots.” There was a holliday atmosphere and signs of Spring were in the air. “In many of the prescints,” said AP ‘voters found free band concerts and free movies.” Of course, it could be that after the voting, when everybody went home, more than one of the voters felt an irresistible desire to comment on the farce, but he or she wouldn’t dare to do it. There is always the possibility in the average Soviet home that Mother or Sister, Father or Brother, has his or her eye on a higher job. In that case, word would go “special delivery” to the Commissar about the “hor- rible treachery”, and Good Bye Comrade... The Commies claim that religion is the “opiate of the masses”. I wonder what kind of opiate their leaders use to make them take part, with apparent cheer- fulness, in a comedy like the general election. Could it be intimidation and fear for their lives? On the other hand, may be it is not even bad to know in advance that your man has already won. Some would say that it takes all the thrill out of the game. But what more of a thrill could they want than the forever present possibility of a free trip to Siberia?... It could also be that many actually believe nat this simple method is the “really democratic” way, and that they are performing a very important civic duty. But how many can be that stupid? Those, however, should be the ones who are really happy in the “Workers Paradise”, because, as Alexander Pope once wrote; “The fool is happy that he knows no more!!” scainiagpeiiciacceocmsaatowlt Pt satesaiedineneinibestsgsaa I WANT TO REGISTER, here and now, and in the strongest pos- sible terms, my protest for the most flagrant case of discrimination in the Sovereign State of Florida. First, some legislators, up in Tal- lahassee, wanted to pass a law, forbidding residence in this state to all foreign snakes, thus endangering the livelihood of the gorgeous Zorita, who has a South American boa constrictor as her dancing part- ner. Now, a big fuss has been made by the tenants at 1334 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, because Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Wilcox brought home a mere seven feet baby boa constrictor (not even a 30 ft. grown-up). They had purchased it for $35.00 “as a pet for the family”, but the tenants called the police, and Mr. Charles Hines, investigator for the Humane Society of Greater Miami, came in a hurry and “gave them 24 hours to get rid of it.” But, why? If the Wilcoxes want to have the thing as a pet, they should be allowed to keep it. It might not be a bad idea at that, to have such a pet. In a real hot day, if real hot days ever come back to Miami, think how refreshing it could be to have the cool, frog-like reptile slide over your bare chest or back, while you are taking a siesta on your favorite couch. And, of course, it could provide you with countless more chills during the whole Summer. Much better, I believe, than air conditioning... This reminds me of the guy who once asked: Why is it that all the families in America do not have an elephant at home as a pet?—Because nobody has of- fered elephants at a dollar down and a dollar a week. But that is not the case with the Wilcoxes. They paid their honest to goodnes 35 bucks, cash, for Boasie, and they should be able to keep it... and live happily ever after. eee A GREAT CONFUSION was caused in the forever austere Criminal Court of Havana, when dozens of mice entered the main room, walking slowly and reeling, as if they were under the influence of liquor. The ladies, and some of the men, rushed for the nearest chair or table, until it was discovered that the rodents were in no condition to put up a fight, not even to run for the nearest exit. Upon investigation, it was found that the mice had bored holes in two suit-cases full of marihuana, which were kept there as evidence. A couple of brooms in the hands of some active clerks, sent the drug- addicts into the waste basket, and order was restored in the Court. Mama mouse should have told her off-springs not to imitate men’s habits. 0 MR. EDWIN A. LAHEY—Washington Bureau—The Miami Herald Thank you very much for your very nice letter. After I started by throwing bricks at you, your reaction was certainly that of a fine Gentleman and a real Sport. It will be a privilege, and a great pleasure, meeting you in your next trip to Miami. Thanks again, and lots of luck to you!! level. Columna Peak, on the other side of Mérida valley, is only 16 feet lower. Six other peaks range between 13,000 and 15,000 feet, many of them snow cevered all year reund, te the delight of skiers. Mountain climbing, hewever, is the mest practiced spert. Te the only route explored until recently, te Bolivar Peak, twe new routes were added last year by two Andes University professors— a comparatively easy ascemt for amateurs, and a steeper and riskier one for expert climbers. The Trans-Andean highway climbs the Sierra to 13,500 feet above sea level. Up there, am in nfurnishes the traveler food, DOMINGO, 21 DE MARZO DE 1954. HEMISFERIO PAG. 15 »