Welcome to Chávez-land, the new Latin mecca for the sandalistas

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Tourists flock not to the beaches, but the slums to see '21st-century socialism'
To sceptics they are naive westerners seduced by hype who would not recognise communist tyranny if it expropriated their sandals. "Malodorous, leftwing, US and European peace creeps armed with mom's credit card and brand new Birkenstocks," according to American Thinker, a rightwing magazine.

To the Venezuelan government they are valued friends who witness firsthand the positive changes in the slums and countryside and who return home, a volunteer army of ambassadors, to spread the good news. To others they are simply curious souls drawn to this corner of South America to see what all the fuss is about.

Meet the revolutionary tourists, a wave of backpackers, artists, academics and politicians on a mission to discover if President Hugo Chávez really is forging a radical alternative to neoliberalism and capitalism.

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Passion

"It's just amazing being here. There is so much vibe and passion, there is truly a sense of revolution," Lucy Dale, 20, a university student from Chicago on a 17-day trip, said last week. "I want to return to do volunteer work."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/venezuela/story/0,,1990414,00.html

[shance]

1. May God and Goddess protect the good will happening towards all in South America.

And here's to it spreading worldwide!

[Say_What]

2. K & R

:kick:

[Vidar]

3. Freedom flourishes for all but the corporate criminals in Latin America.

Tyranny continues on its wicked way in the US.