Hi there, Steemians! My name is Alfredo Lopez and I’m 32 years old. I was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela – the most beautiful city on earth where the sun is always there to make you sweat! – From very early on in my life I wasn’t dealt a good hand of cards. My mom died when I was only three months old but my lovely aunt Ligia (85) took take of me and raised me in a little house in the North of this magnificent city. She still thinks I’m a baby, ha! Then again in 2014, life threw me a big surprise… I lost my hardworking father due to a stomach disease. He had many surgeries before leaving him weaker and weaker every time. He fought until the very end. It was difficult to understand he was gone but death is a consequence of life so we have to accept it and move on.

Now, let’s talk about me. I consider myself to be a funny guy – yes, I am. Ask my best friend @roxanad18 – I’m also a chef apprentice and an English Teacher who is passionate about learning different cultures and dreams about traveling all around the world. Two years ago, I married the most beautiful, caring and patient woman I have ever met: my wife Johanny. She’s truly the best. She takes care of me like no one else does. I was born with a cardiopathic condition: bradycardia – which makes my heart beat slower than the average and it makes my heart not strong enough for a 32-year-old man. Currently, I have a pacemaker and also I’m under a “strict” diet. All this time, my wife’s been there for me… letting me know that we’re going to be ok. I’m not going to lie, sometimes I’m scared but I believe in her and I know we’ll get through this. I’m just a man who’s trying to enjoy life – and by enjoying life, I mean surviving.

Now, things in Venezuela are not easy. We’re ruled by this psycopath named Nicolás Maduro who is now trying to change all laws to make him stay in power for God knows how long… The goverment and the army are killing innocent people and students who have the right to protest against a socio-economic system that is unsustainable! I’m not talking bullshit here. I seriously am talking about fighting for our life and rights, for food, for medicines, for jobs, for FREEDOM. It’s so sad to say that 80% of people I know well have left the country because of this situation. It’s just not fair. Things shouldn’t be the way they are now but I don’t want to make this a political blog.

Changing subjects now… A beautiful friend of mine whom I love to death told me about this platform. I thought it was cool so I decided to give Steemit a chance. What I like about this platform is that it rewards its users for all content considered relevant and worth reading as well as it provides an opportunity for financial independence.

I’ll be posting some pictures of the beautiful town I live in and my family!

Thank you for reading my first post here on Steemit! I hope you liked my introduction