Thoughts from South America
“We cannot predict the future. But we can create it.” – Jim Collins – Great by Choice
I had an opportunity to travel to Venezuela a few years ago, precisely in the midst of political turmoil, community upheaval, and great uncertainty. Clearly, the trip’s itinerary was not leisurely, but perhaps that’s the subject of a future writing. While passing through Caracas prior to a destination further west on a very dated airplane, we briefly toured the capital city with a metropolitan district population of over five million people. As typical, I was mostly interested in the architecture, and fascinated with one 45-story building in particular – the Centro Financiero Confinanzas, but more commonly known as the Torre David or The Tower of David. Originally conceived as a high-rise for bankers and investors, construction of this concrete status symbol complete with rooftop heliport began in 1990. Unfortunately, the original developer died during construction and the government took control of this enormous structure sometime around 1994.
But with the onset of the Venezuelan banking crisis, little security nor “control” took place here and the local homeless population began squatting in a building that lacked utilities, windows, elevators, or even running water. I was told these residents had settled in as high as 25 – 30 floors utilizing makeshift building materials brought up unfinished stairwells that were ultimately partitioned into private living areas while also securing unsafe balconies. These “residents” had chosen community leaders and consciously established a small yet efficient economy within their high rise town. Yes, even satellite dishes were visible at great heights!
As one who makes a living by building, I find tremendous irony in this story where original intentions and logical conclusion are thoroughly upended. Here, we have a tangible example of human ingenuity and sheer cleverness triumphing over incompetence and utter wastefulness. Hundreds of poor families – ordinary people with extremely limited resources – have created not only an opportunity but nothing short of a marginally comfortable lifestyle within the shelled walls of an abandoned skyscraper…a skyscraper that was envisioned as a great symbol of financial prosperity.
My point is this:
We toil through decades shaping our unique environments all the while endeavoring to move vertically both in our accomplishments and self-satisfaction. Life and age will inevitably catch up finding us hindered by unfinished “construction;” personal pieces of human architecture that were never fully installed. But this should never, ever matter, if one consistently seeks to innovate and adapt with relentless intention. Even with limited resources like the inhabitants of Torre David.
It is a fact….meaningful life may be found in the oddest places including the urban slums of South America. Get out there and engage! You can create your future.