Thread by @realjdowner

"We saw a young woman go into a store and ask the price of kids underwear and when the owner told her she said "I'll just go home and sew my torn ones". . . Salary isn't enough for clothes; if you buy, you don't eat." -Luis 28 & Luz, 20

#VenezuelaVignette

This quote was a good laugh for all four pictured here, but when Luz described leaving her 4 y/o daughter behind, it turned to tears.

As I chronicle conversations with Venezuelan migrants in Colombia this month, remember that the subjects are more than a single picture and quote

”Sometimes people ask me if I accept dollars. OF COURSE I ACCEPT DOLLARS. It's the most valuable money in the world!" -Chester, 28 (travel companion of Steph, pictured)

"I send almost my entire paycheck home [so my kids can eat]" -Dulce

"I help her; my son [in Venezuela] is closing our restaurant and when he sells assets he wants to get rid of bolívares, so when I pay [Dulce], he sends bolivares to her family" -Solaya

#VenezuelaVignette

"People don't think about hyperinflation. They think about things getting more expensive...[because] all but two TV stations are state run and tell them it's the "hoarders'" fault." -Juan

Every WhatsApp profile picture from recent Venezuelan immigrants I've talked to isn't them, but someone they left behind. Mothers, husbands, daughters and sons.

#venezuelavignette

"There's no chemo medicine in Venezuela. If you need it, you send money to a smuggler in Cúcuta. If they can't redeem your bolivares for pesos because the exchange rate has changed, they can't afford the medicine and won't send it. People die as a consequence." -[redacted]

"The price of an egg on the informal market is climbing faster than minimum wage; a chicken who lays an egg every day now earns more than a Venezuelan on minimum salary"

#venezuelavignette

"A friend told me yesterday about a robbery plan. He invited me to come along. I said no. . . If you have anything to give, a smile, a word of encouragement; anything helps." -Hector (~18), asking for change on a bus in Bogota.

No picture for obvious reasons
#venezuelavignette

"In Venezuela I was boss of production at [a major petroleum refinery]." -Jorge, who now sells candy and "stays honest."

A common theme in these conversations from people who used to have promising futures:

When you have been reduced to nearly nothing, pride in your values is worth everything.

"People who don't have someone sending them remittances have nothing... food is pretty much dollarized...if you have nothing you don't know if it's worth the risk, but you don't have many more options." -Lorena (~45) came in 2016 when her husband was relocated for work.

"To cross the border, you need fake papers or to risk crossing by 'trocha.' We had no money for papers, so we risked the Trocha. Crossing the river was scary ... The water reached our chests ... After 2 months in Cúcuta, we walked [600km] to Medellin" -Ericka (18) #Venezuela

Spent today with people just starting the long walk. Asked where you're going, these three said "as far as is necessary to find work. We want the dignity of hard work to support our families."

"The moment I decided to leave was when my daughter's school supplies were $7000BsS, but minimum monthly wage was $1800BsS"

"Are you family?"

"We are now! Just met on the road today."

Most people's spirits are high as they assume what lies ahead must be better than what they leave behind.

"My kids' father left a few months ago. He was supposed to send money back, but it wasn't enough to eat. I had to leave them behind -- I hope I can find work so they can eat." -Mireya, carrying a coffee thermos.

"This traffic light is my future.. I have big dreams. I want a career, a stable family, to own a house and maybe a car." Christian (turns 16 on Friday)

"I send money home by envío [gestures to a casa de cambio].. they take a small percentage [~40%]. I don't mess with fake virtual money like the Petro and others [describes crypto pyramid schemes]. It's not real." -anon, makes art from old Bolivares

All Venezuelans in Cúcuta know about the Petro (bank statements are denominated in it). Most also know about "virtual currencies." The majority of them think Petro == Bitcoin == "lock up your money for 3 or 6 months in a virtual currency" aka pyramid schemes.