Hey incase anyone wanted a follow up, arrived in Caracas two days ago, went to the domestic Terminal and got $250 changed at rate of 4.4BLV to $1 took bit of arguing, they started at 3.8 I started at 5 we agreed at 4.4BLV to the 1$, straight out side there was a bus terminal with buses heading for Park _Central last stop, signs easy to follow! (literally striaght out side domestic terminal look right) Bus was 15BLV just over $3, took ages to fill up (leaves when at least half full) I got on at 4.40pm bus left at about 5.20pm, takes about an hour to get into Park Central I was the last left on the bus, the traffic was really heavey (must be rush hour) it was completly dark as it was night. The driver told me to get off (turns out one block from park central but close enough) Standing at the metro at Park Central I tried for bout half hour to get taxi and hardly any stopped and the ones that did didn't want to take me to La Bandera bus terminal from hand gestures and annoyed looks I guess the trafic was one way on that main road, extremly heavey and Bandera was the wrong way so ended up having to try and figure out the metro.
Of which was quite easy to read and figure out I had to go one stop back to Zone Rental or something like that,change lines then 3 stops to La Bandera. Seemed safe and clean. When you get o La bandera stop, exit and as you pass throught the barriers, take the left exit. From there it was a short 5min walk to the left. Yes it was dodgey looking but alot of people about and I stop to ask a few people to make sure I was going the right way and they helped and I got there grand, you pass about 3 or 4 petrol stations then you'll know youre at the bus terminal, busy lots of people coming and going. Walk in and head to the very top, managed to get on to the 8.30pm bus, cost me 72 BLV one way (bout $20). Busses are freezing everyone says it and they aint kidding, I had two jumbers which was ok but my ears and head got freezing so ended up putting my day pack on my head (no joke poeple had gloves and scarfs I had day pack lol)
I felt reasonably safe walking about metro and the Bus terminal, however I met a french guy on the bus did the exact same thing as me, except he stopped to ask a uniformed police or offical for direction, they took him to a police bus "searched" his bag swiped his brand new 300euro camera and sent him on his way!
I may have been lucky or not but a good tip is not to ask officials (police or army) where to go I usually asked women, particuarly women chatting of husband and wife walking along less risky, remember always smile loads and try and get out quickly and clearly what you want people are wary of you too (and a por va vor at the end always helps) I found however the people in the metro Kiosks were friendly and helpful, they have no authority to stop and search you so safe enough to aproach for info!
Anyways will write soon,
