My Endless Weekend: Caracas

The capital of Venezuela, famed for its dangerous streets and corrupt police. Although I was walking large parts of the city’s streets I never had any problem with street safety. Sticking to busy avenues and avoiding deserted and/or suspiciously looking streets without shops etc seemed to work fine. I did however have problem with the corrupted police force, who stops every foreigner they see in search of drugs in hope to get hold of a big bribe. They obviously never found any drugs but they helped themselves to some small cash in my pockets once when I was going out to buy food. I don’t know what will happen if you make a big deal out of it and accuse the police for theft but I thought it was best to not find out. I learned the lesson and never again carried cash (apart from small change) in my pockets during after-dark strolls.

Set aside, Caracas is not very tourist friendly but has a few sights. Most museums are however focused around Simon Bolivar, the liberator who gained independence from Spain for several South American countries, including Venezuela. Many important avenues and squares are named after Bolivar throughout Latin America but it sort of culminates in Venezuela, where there is a statue of Bolivar on practically every public square of importance. Museums display his sword, his books, his original coffin and “everything else-Bolivar”. His birthplace is remodelled and lacks original detail but is open for visitors. If you are sick of Bolivar, there isn’t much else.