caracas: it's...complicated

okay, so i just got back from caracas. and honestly? it’s a lot. like, a lot a lot. i’m still trying to process it, and i’m pretty sure my brain is currently operating at 60% capacity. i’m not even sure where to start. it’s this crazy city, you know? a bowl of mountains and…well, everything.

seriously, look at that map. it’s insane. it’s literally surrounded by these massive mountains - el avalá, they call it - and it’s like, a really steep bowl. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the weather was…mild. 21-23 degrees celsius, apparently. humidity was high, which, let’s be honest, is pretty much always the case in venezuela, right? someone told me that the rainy season is may-november, so if you’re planning a trip, maybe avoid that time. and don’t forget the potential earthquakes - apparently, it’s a thing.

so, the history. it started in 1567 with this guy, diego de losada. apparently, he was a spanish explorer and he decided to call it santiago de león de caracas. it’s been the capital ever since, which is…a lot of pressure, i guess. it’s a colonial center, built in a high rift valley, which sounds incredibly complicated, but basically, it’s just…there. it’s been through a lot, politically and economically. hyperinflation, unrest…it’s a mess.

and the geography! it’s only 655 square kilometers, which is tiny, and it’s all this narrow valley. the guaire river flows through it, which is…well, it flows. and the mountains limit how much you can build. it’s a really strange place.

okay, let’s talk about things to do. there’s cerro el avalá national park, which is apparently great for hiking. i didn’t have time, honestly. plaza bolívar is cool, lots of colonial architecture. and the metro! it’s one of the oldest extensive systems in latin america. it’s actually pretty impressive, considering everything else going on. there are parks and hills, which is nice, and modern architecture - it’s a weird mix.

now, the food…well, it’s complicated. the search results didn’t really give me much. it’s supposed to be influenced by lots of different things, but nothing really stood out. someone told me that they have amazing arepas, but i didn’t really get a chance to try them.

and the people. it’s a diverse population, apparently, with a high literacy rate. but there’s been a lot of migration due to the crises. it’s a really interesting mix.

and the security? don’t even get me started. it’s a big issue. high crime rates, political instability…it’s definitely something to be aware of. and the infrastructure is…well, it’s a valley. so things are a little tricky.

if you get bored, la guaira is just a short drive away. it’s a port city on the coast. petare is another area, integrated into the valley. it’s a sprawling place.

seriously, it’s a lot. i’m exhausted just thinking about it. i’m not sure i’d recommend it to everyone, but it’s definitely…an experience. it’s a city that’s trying to hold itself together, and it’s kind of heartbreaking and fascinating all at the same time. i’m going to go lie down now.

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