Caracas

Conditions are not good in Caracas at the moment. The entire city suffered a blackout this morning, and there may have been a second about 5 minutes ago. This is not a temporary problem.

Also, currency conversion from dollars to bolivares is nearly impossible.



[QUOTE]Originally posted by alistedmale
[i]I am booked for the 14th in Caracas, i will stay at the Euro.
The pricing wasn't that bad when you consider what they are getting per night in Curacao which I really would have enjoyed visiting.
I have a awesome 20 y.o. meeting me at the airport and I hope the political situation remains calm for a few days.
Any last moment places or tips anyone would share will be appreciated as I rely heavily on this forum before travel anywhere. [/i][/QUOTE]

Blackout problem:

A national park on the northern border of Caracas, which is
called Parque Nacional El Avila. Its the mountain range that divides Caracas
from the Caribbean Sea.

This mountain range has several 260.000 volt electrical towers and due to dryness on the vegetation wildfires sparkle up on several locations across the park. One of them affected the power line that brings electricity from Tacoa Plant to Caracas, but the national electrical interconnection supplied
the power five minutes after the power lines were affected.

Explorer8939,

Have things improved over the last few days. Is it enough to want to drive you out. I am having second thoughts.Give me reasons why i should go now and not later.
Are you staying at the Eruo hotel? Feeling safe there?

alistedmale,

Are you still a go for march 14. I was to arrive mar 12 for 5 nights.

I am under the name a. Katz , that's if i go.

Wish there were more posters but that is saying alot regarding who wants it the most.

Guidance please??????????????

Starfe

American Airlines has added non-stop flight between Caracas and DFW starting April 6th

Blackout was result of fire on El Avila mountain, per article. Loss of electricity is not an ongoing and continuing problem.

the most amusing line is this one?

<I>Also, currency conversion from dollars to bolivares is nearly impossible</I>

I suspect what he wants to say in conversion from bolivares into dollars is impossible.

EVERYONE wants dollars and they will pay you much more than the official 1600 to 1 exchange rate. going black market rate around 2200-2400 to 1.

The Eurobuilding is kind of remote, stashed away, even from the adjoining nighttlife of Las Mercedes. You have to take taxis from and to.

The taxi drivers will love you. And make themselves a lot of money by overcharging.

I suppose that's not an issue for a short visit/trip.

the best hotel for "hobbying" might be the Caracas Hilton - but only if you're calling outcall, etc.

Callgirls make their way thru that business hotel like a fly makes its way to a fresh piece of shit.

Not a great location though - dangerous outside at night.
but since you'll be taking taxis all the time yet again (just like you would have from Euro - not an issue)

Since money isn't an object - hit Morrison's.
There's a Colombian/Venezuelan/Dominican sister combo to die for. One of the sisters (the one who dances) has a boob job, the other one does not.

If you can exchange dollars for bolivares at 2300 to 1 or so, Morrison't won't be so outrageausly expensive.

Oh- I forgot.

Want what might be the best upper end hotel in Caracas - BEST and secure location?

JW Marriott in El Rosal.

I can steer you to a nice little incall place, for 90K room included for an hour a very one safe block walk.

I'd stay at the Marriot. And don't pay more than $120 US a night. No Venezuelan does!

Damn, forgot to add

American has always flown to CCS from Dallas Ft Worth. These flights aren't new. However, many were suspended during Ven anti Chavez strike that began Dec 2 and fizzled out a month ago.
But AMR has always flown Dallas-Caracas.

re: Marriott- it's no a problem having guests. Hotel was recently built, and its location is best in Caracas because it's so centrally located. (all the" action" not too far away from there as well)

Catire,,

Thanks for your post. I re-booked my trip for a non stop flight in april and also booked the marriott.

Starfe

Lack of electricity continues to be a problem in Caracas. The entire country is getting low voltage, so everyone's alarm clock is running slow, so everyone is late, which means that there's less electricity. Seriously.

Dude, why are you going to Caracas?
is this JUST a "going to get laid" trip?

try to learn at least some Spanish.

Yo Dude,

So my 37 trips to Japan, Korea , Hong Kong , Singapore and Thailand ( Taiwan): I forgot to learn the language there. Oh and Bali + most of Africa over the years, and then what about Europe.

How stupid of me not to take a language course first!!!!!!!!!!!

What's your point?

Yes, I am going there to get laid?



Starfe

My point is..

never mind.

I think I'm going to keep my mouth shut from now on.


Have a good trip.

I think what Catire was insinuating (correct me if I am wrong, Catire) is that you'll have a much better time in Caracas if you have at least some knowledge of Spanish. Sure, you can do the "point and click" thing but w/o speaking at least basic Spanish, you will pay a lot more and most likely get a sub-average performance.

Also, he was perhaps going to point out some other "non-mongering" places to visit. But obviously, you're not interested in that which is fine.

If you are traveling only for mongering purposes, I believe you'd be better off in Colombia or Brazil (or Cuba if this crackdown ever ends). But perhaps you are in Caracas for business, also...

Zipster, I believe we can already predict how this little trip will end up, can't we" :) ???

For starters, he'll spend LOTS of money :)

actually, I was going to point out some mongering places. But after that snide and condescending response which came after I helped the guy out when he was hanging out there on a vine with no help in sight - fuck it.

I've helped the guy out plenty already. Now I think it's best to leave Mr. I've been everywhere and money is no object, I'm going there to fuck all to his own.

We've seen plenty of this around town, so we have a good idea of how it will go down :)

Catire,

You made your point. I am to lazy to learn spanish. I have a good contact in Caracas. I booked the Marriott on your say so.

Yes i overpay but not by much since my spanish is nill.

By the way, if they don't stop this desease spreading all over asia SOON, many countries will close their airports to keep people out.

This is starting to look like a World Killer . Watch Japan, they will be the first to shut down incoming flights!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for being rude.

Satrfe