Gov. Bill Richardson's big day is here. But he won't just be meeting with President Hugo Chavez. Turns out the foreign ministry has called and they want a meeting as well. That's a good sign for Richardson, and a big deal both in terms of elevating the issue of the hostages and for Richardson's world stature. He's got a few other meetings scheduled today, including with the Venezuelan ambassador.

The meeting is set for this afternoon.  (More on the timing in a minute.) I'm not invited in, of course, but will do my best to bring you what I can find out. Now, the meeting is at 1 p.m. The press conference about the meeting is at noon at Miraflores, essentially the Venezuelan White House. I'm told, however, it won't start until after the meeting. Hmmm. I guess I'll show up as soon as I can to see what happens.  I have yet to figure out the timing here in this lush country: the time is one and a half hours ahead of New Mexico. . .

Richardson seems excited. He told me he's got a little scrap of his lucky blue blazer with him. He's worn that blazer in many other international meetings like this one, but had to retire it a few years back, as it was wearing thin.

Venezuela is humid, the complete opposite of home. And green like crazy. An aggressive rubber tree looks like it could break through my hotel room window at any time, it's so strong. First person I met when I got off the plane was a man from here who had lived in Albuquerque, so I feel right at home. (Now where's that green chile ?) Got in late last night, so haven't seen much else so far. It's the rainy season, I learned from the gentleman at the front desk who also gave me a complete forecast. (I think he was keeping me on the line to make sure I was awake.)

Here's today's analysis piece looking at what the trip means for the governor. More blog updates today as I can and more stories in the paper tomorrow.