Do not be typical of Zulia, but if any of venezuela, “The best way to eat ham,” as their slogan says, has more than 100 years as part of Venezuelan homes, in a market worth about $ 50 million a year.

Devils Underwood is sold in Venezuela since 1896 but at that time was imported, until in 1961 opened a plant in Cagua. At this time, the mark of Ham Endiablado Underwood changed to “devils” referring to the logo of the package .. Although hard to imagine that since the days of Cipriano Castro until today devils Underwood has been kept unchanged, the truth is that its taste is perceived as a tradition, and their level of consumption proves this: today is buy some 500 tons of ham monthly endiablado throughout the national territory.

Its creator is the British William Underwood, who in 1820 started in Boston, USA, the production of tinned meat. Pet Inc in 1980. Acquiring the mark in 1995, when it was acquired by Pillsbury bought Pet Inc. Six years later (2001) General Mills purchased Pillsbury and its product portfolio, to become the leading producer of canned ham in Venezuela.

So great is the local predilection for little devil Underwood, now a generic name for the category of canned ham, who turned Venezuela into one of the places of greatest importance for the company outside the United States. In fact, in 1949 consumed 13 billion boxes annually in the country and, for 1960 the amount had risen to 175 thousand boxes. Today, Venezuela and the United States are the only two markets where the brand is present.

Among the highlights campaigns emblematic “The temptation” of the late 80′s, in which it appeared the figure of the “devil encouraging children to try ham” or “Mommy I want”, which in the 90s with his infected jingle made with the same sentence.

The slogan of Underwood devil “The best way to eat ham” should take approximately 20 years or maybe more, and was developed by the agency provided to the company.

Beaches just minutes from the city of Maracaibo, located at the outlet of Lake Maracaibo to the sea in the strait which connects the Gulf of Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo, is San Carlos.
Since the move, the ride to San Carlos and is quite enjoyable. While the boat is entering the waters of the lake, the traveler begins to enjoy dense mangrove forests, they are easy to observe various types of sea birds as buchones, gulls, herons, among other exotic species.
In the Tour, so you can see the Isle of Toas, picturesque town devoted to the arts of fishing and the exploitation of limestone and Zapara Island, famous for its golden sand dunes.
Upon arrival in San Carlos, was found with a simple coastal village. To get to the beach, must walk a little, because the island is not easy to get vehicles.
Already in the bay will find a plethora of colored awnings that villagers rented by low prices to mitigate the hot sun.
Besides without the need to move, he also carried food and drink (beer or cold) to the beach. From here you can see the historic Castillo de San Carlos de la Barra, built in 1679 in order to protect the city of Maracaibo attacks by pirates and privateers themselves of the time. Currently serves as a museum.
Now, if you prefer to walk a little, the boulevard in this beachfront, there are shops and restaurants, where we get what we want, from a full meal until hot empanadas.
But if you want to escape the crowds, San Carlos has less frequented beaches which face directly into the sea. by their remoteness, there is not no food or tarpaulins for rent.
The town also offers a wide variety of inns with prices at suitable alternative forms of economic to the visitors.

TO GO TO SAN CARLOS … …

While the scene may seem a somewhat cumbersome task, San Carlos has two ways to access sea and by land.
One of them is onboard the catamarans depart from the dock of the PROPEL Club in Stone Puntica in Maracaibo. This option is the most expensive, but so it is the safest and most comfortable, as it travels directly from the city, and the journey is fairly short. Further along the route you can watch from Lake Maracaibo, the bay and Petroquimica of El Tablazo.
Another way to travel to San Carlos Water is from the town of El wet. From there go about having a nice lanchitas economical price, but clearer ready to go bathing suit and sunscreen, because during the journey is very likely to get wet and get “kindness” dose of inclement sun Zulia.
The last option is reserved for the more adventurous. First of all, if you want to go by land, it is essential to have a rustic vehicle in perfect condition. This form of travel wife because, for a few hours a day, the movement of tides allows contact of San Carlos with the beaches of Caimare Chico.
So if your visit to Maracaibo it provokes a day on the beach, do not hesitate to go to San Carlos, insurance returns.

Para el pueblo marabino, noviembre no es un mes cualquiera. Desde hace mas de 25 años, este mes es sinonimo de fiesta, alegria y devocion. Aunque en Maracaibo el espiritu festivo puede respirarse desde los primeros dias del mes, la Feria de la Chinita comienza oficialmente el 10 de Noviembre. Corridas de toros, exposiciones sociales y artesanales, fiestas y los tan esperados ” amaneceres gaiteros”, ademas de un sinfin de otras actividades, hacen que durante esas fechas en Maracaibo no haya excusa para no divertirse. Alli se organizaran inumerables parrandas desde temprano, se colocaran gigantescas tarimas con impresionantes sistemas de luces y sonido, para que el publico disfrute de espectaculos. Tambien se realizara el tradicional desfile en honor de la Virgen de la Chinita. En este simpatico espectaculo, se muestran diversas manifestaciones culturales, como trajes tipicos, bailes propios de la region del pais, historia y tradiciones, acompañados de una gran diversidad de disfraces y encantadores personales que deleitan a grandes y chicos presentes.

ESTA NOCHE AMANECEMOS….

AMANECEMOS PARRANDIANDO……..

El 17 de noviembre es la vispera de la fecha mas importante de toda la feria. Es en ese dia cuando se realizan los esperados amaneceres gaiteros, fiestas impresionantes, donde se reunen cantidad de estrellas musicales y por supuesto, inumerables agrupaciones gaiteras para celebrar en los mas exclusivos locales y clubes de Maracaibo. El amanecer gaitero mas importante de todos es el organizado en la plazoleta de la Basilica de la Chinita, en el que miles de personas disfrutan de la contagiosa musica gaitera, alabando con sus cantos a la patrona regional. Para cerrar con broche de oro y honrar a la Santisima Virgen de Chiquinquira, el 18 de noviembre, la comunidad marabina se vuelca hacia la Basilica para asistir a los oficios celebrados en su honor, y asi dar fin a dias de intensa actividad y diversion. Si usted desea vivir esta hermosa experiencia, entonces no se olvide este noviembre acercarse a Maracaibo, pues como bien dice una gaita: “Venite pa´Maracaibo a la Feria de la Chinita, aqui la cosa es bonita en el Bello Paseo del Lago”
®Ricardo Valdivieso Cervera

Una de las cosas mas particulares de los Zulianos, Marabinos, Marauchos o como se nos quiera llamar es la comida. Ya que nos esforzamos por mantener nuestras tradiciones, aunque algunas veces las personas nos vean como locos.

La comida en el Zulia es rica en grasas, carbohidratos y proteinas; desde el desayuno (principal comida segun los entendidos) el Maracucho se preocupa, por ingerir gran cantidad de Carbohidratos: Para empezar podemos desayunar con “Pastelitos, Empanadas, Yoyos, Tequeños, Papas de Queso, Papas de Carne, y cualquier cosa que se le parezca.”

El Almuerzo, no deberia faltar un buen platano asado (sea maduro o verde) y el trozo de queso, acompañado todo esto con cualquiera de los siguientes ingredientes, arroz, carne en cualquiera de sus variaciones, sopas, Pastas, y para pasar o bajar toda la comida, un buen Jugo de Fruta o algun refresco (dicese Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Frescolita..)

La cena, alli la situacion es mas variada, ya que puede pasar desde una arepa, sandiwch o hasta repetir parte del almuerzo.

Cuando ya la noche ha caido, y luego de unas birras, o whiskys (fines de semana) lo tipico es hacer una parada antes de llegar a casa y comerte una buen “tumbarrancho” o una buena hamburguesa, un pan con queso, o salchiqueso, y luego ir a dormir tan tranquilo.

Una caracteristica muy particular del Zuliano es el apego a sus tradiciones, que muy a pesar del paso del tiempo se mantienen gran parte de ellas intactas en la memoria del Maracucho.

La GAITA es una de ellas, de día, de noche, en agosto o en diciembre este ritmo repiquetero representa la ideología del zuliano, su carácter jovial y dicharachero, su inclinación a la alegría y a la justicia y, por sobre todo, su inagotable devoción.

Born: Maracaibo, 9 May 1939

Died: Maracaibo, 8 November 1969

Ricardo Aguirre Gonzalez was a musician, teacher and speaker Zulia.

Graduated from teacher to 19 years, taught at the school Monsignor Francis A. Granadillo and also served as announcer on the Voice of Faith

He began by director Zulian gaita group, “tasty” and “Santa Canoíta. In 1962 he joined “Cardinals” with his three brothers after his division was proposed to add an addition to the name and birth “The Cardinals of Success.”

In 1967, differences between members of the Cardinals the victory was all Saladillo and recorded with them: the indolent, Ronda Antañona, singing La, La Flor de la Habana (1y2), Antañonas Two Mothers and The Gray Zulia ( 1968). In the latter, according to Arnoldo Hernandez Oquendo, music and bagpipe introitus of belonging to Ricardo Aguirre, but the chorus to Marcial Valbuena, and he first introduced an electric bass in a professional. This pipe has been named as the anthem of the Gaita Zulia for their great projection. In 1969 he was appointed supervisor of education for regional districts Mara and Paez. Success returned to the Cardinals where he recorded Papal Decree, The Maracaibo Vivarachera and marginalized. He was also interpreter: Poem Piper, Gaitoneando, Pride Piper, La Pica Pica, a Gloria Parrandón and remembrance 2

On November 8, 1969, a tragic traffic accident, which blinded the life of today has been one of the greatest icons of regionalism Zulia.

On November 4, 1983 the governor of Zulia State, Humberto Fernandez Auvert, which issued a decree formally declaring November 8 as the Day of the Piper in memory of the unfortunate time when he died this illustrious figure of the regional music.

Born: Maracaibo, 24 October 1789

Died: Paris, 25 August 1845

He studied Latin and philosophy in Maracaibo. At 12 years is sent to Bogota with his uncle, who gives work.

Military, political, proce of the Venezuelan Independence and president of Greater Colombia.

On July 20 of 1810, when Bogota declaring independence, enlists in the Army as a lieutenant, where he will climb up to Lieutenant Colonel in 1812. Later joined Bolivar and has a significant role in the Admirable Campaign.

In 1813 fought in the Battle of Santa Fe de Bogota, where he was taken prisoner by the forces of Antonio Nariño who a few months to incorporate it released to the forces of the army commanded Simón Bolívar; with them participated in the Admirable Campaign. Promoted to Major General in April 1815.

It was probably the most traveled around the country fighting for the republic. After numerous military actions, among which the withdrawal to the border in 1814, making his home city, Maracaibo in 1821 and the march toward San Carlos, prior to the battle of Carabobo, in which he was unable to participate on orders Bolivar, given the degree of depletion of its troops. However, for services rendered, Bolivar called his promotion to General in Chief.

Opened in 1819 in Margarita operations against the coast of Barcelona and Cumana, as part of plans to Bolivar for the campaign of liberation of New Granada.

Later wanted to accompany Simón Bolívar in the Campaign of the South, for this was not accepted because it felt that his presence was more important in Colombia. At 24 he was appointed Governor of Zulia.

He was one of the most loyal to Bolivar.

From Maracaibo in 1821 led his division through the province of Coro, which liberated, and for reasons of health (urinated blood) in the town of Carora on June 5, 1821 surrender command to Colonel Antonio Rangel, who continued to San Carlos to the concentration that made Bolivar in that city, to conduct the final push against the royalists commanded by Field Marshal Miguel de la Torre, in Carabobo.

In 1828, from the secretariat of War, he had to try the murderers of September, which attacked Bolivar.

Convinced of the guilt of Santander, condemned him for not having prevented the “conspiracy against the supreme leader of the nation.”

In 1830 overthrew the then president Joaquin Mosquera, thus making the power of the new pomegranate, but this charge will be revoked soon.

In 1839, tried to save the Bolivarian project and the unity of Gran Colombia and was responsible for the chairmanship, being the last president of Greater Colombia.

He was subsequently appointed by the president Soublette as special envoy of Venezuela to the Spanish government to achieve diplomatic recognition of this country. However, on its way to Madrid, dies in Paris.

Its mission was completed by Fermin Toro

Nació: Maracaibo, 8 Febrero 1939

Murió: Maracaibo, 20 Mayo 2000

Nace en la calle jugo de la populosa barriada del Empedrao, parroquia Santa Lucía

Compositor, cantante, guitarrista y maraquero, locutor, artista escénico, actor de radio y televisión. Da inicio a su brillante trayectoria con el conjunto infantil Los Invasores (1962); en Mérida funda a los conjuntos Los Bomberos y Los Canarios (1964); participó esporádicamente con el conjunto Los Tigres (1965-1967). En el año de 1971 ingresa al conjunto Santanita con el cual logra catapultarse al estrellato, lo que derivó a su contratación por los Cardenales del éxito donde se proyecta como un triunfador desde 1973 hasta 1979. En 1980 funda la Universidad de la Gaita donde permanece hasta 1982.

En 1983 ingresa a Gaiteros de Pillopo hasta 1986 cuando regresa a Cardenales del éxito de la mano de Chichilo Urribarrí. En el año 1992 funda su propia agrupación, La Parranda Gaitera, al lado de Daniel Méndez, Pedro Villalobos y otras destacadas figuras de la gaita. Con igual éxito se pasea por los conjuntos Koquimba, Gran Coquivacoa, Las Estrellas del 2000 y Maragaita, conjunto que fundó y dirigió, cuando se decide a retornar a él, lo sorprende la muerte el 20 de mayo del 2000. Algunos de sus grandes éxitos fueron: El barbero, El mercado de los buchones, La taguara de bartola, El marciano, Barloventeña, Sabor añejo, La tienda de Tobías, Mi Orgullo, La otra tamborilera, Entre palos y alegrías, Bahía de cata, El diablo, Aplausos, La molienda, La cardenalera, Cosa tan buena, Caudal de Fe, Ave cantora. Recordado como El Parroquiano, con sus gaitas se hizo acreedor de todos los premios de farándula de la región y de lo más importante, el amor del pueblo que lo admiró.