Caracas I’ve now discovered holds the unsavoury title of ‘murder capital of the world’ with on average 300 murders a week. Previously held by Johannesburg and Bogota this was perhaps not the best place to be followed anywhere regardless of whether we could just “take the piss” as before. Fortunately though Lenny had lined up a few beers with a local rider named Sylvio who was able to show us around town and fill us in on the ongoings in this weird place. Basically, for me it’s only comparable to Ulaan Batar, Mongolia for places where you really need to be switched on at all times. An immediate assesment of the place as I sent emails behind bars up on the ‘terrace’ of our shocking hostel revealed two guys smoking crack cocaine next door on the street.
Everyone that doesn't live in a Favela is behind bars here like prisoners in their own home. It has a feel of parts of South Africa about it, like nothing really matters beyond now. Big problems here aren’t helped by the huge corruption of politicians, police and businesses.
So we headed out into the more affluent area of the city with Sylvio and his friend for pizza and beers. Good old motorcycle chat followed interrupted by checking out the local scenery. For those of you that are interested...you might like to know that cosmetic surgery is incredibly popular here from virtually any age resulting in some jaw dropping moments. I suspect it’s all to do with competition or even following ‘the norm’ but Slyvio’s take on it is it’s due to the hot weather meaning that the girls can’t hide behind much clothing. Whatever it is I’m just sorry that I couldn’t bring myself to take a few photos (for those of you that are interested of course..!)
Caracas I’ve now discovered holds the unsavoury title of ‘murder capital of the world’ with on average 300 murders a week. Previously held by Johannesburg and Bogota this was perhaps not the best place to be followed anywhere regardless of whether we could just “take the piss” as before. Fortunately though Lenny had lined up a few beers with a local rider named Sylvio who was able to show us around town and fill us in on the ongoings in this weird place. Basically, for me it’s only comparable to Ulaan Batar, Mongolia for places where you really need to be switched on at all times. An immediate assesment of the place as I sent emails behind bars up on the ‘terrace’ of our shocking hostel revealed two guys smoking crack cocaine next door on the street. 
Everyone that doesn't live in a Favela is behind bars here like prisoners in their own home. It has a feel of parts of South Africa about it, like nothing really matters beyond now. Big problems here aren’t helped by the huge corruption of politicians, police and businesses. 
So we headed out into the more affluent area of the city with Sylvio and his friend for pizza and beers. Good old motorcycle chat followed interrupted by checking out the local scenery. For those of you that are interested...you might like to know that cosmetic surgery is incredibly popular here from virtually any age resulting in some jaw dropping moments. I suspect it’s all to do with competition or even following ‘the norm’ but Slyvio’s take on it is it’s due to the hot weather meaning that the girls can’t hide behind much clothing. Whatever it is I’m just sorry that I couldn’t bring myself to take a few photos (for those of you that are interested of course..!)
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