For some reason Venezuela had stuck and spinning in my mind since a long time ago. One day, around a month ago, by accident I fall on a bargain ticket on the Internet and I bought it apart from my scepticism regarding how dangerous is finally to travel to this beautiful country.

Thus, it is supposed that I will be in Venezuela at the begging of February for around a month, alone. Me, myself and I..:) For this reason, it would be quite helpful for me any kind of information and recommendations from people that have already travelled there or live there, regarding photography, staying, moving around, protecting yourself, etc.

I am an amateur photographer with special interest in street photography. I will not travel there for a particular professional assignment, though I am really interested in doing something like a project.

An initial plan that came across my mind was to travel for the begging along the coastline and to find myself for 2-3 days in Curacao for the famous carnival.

I will be on a strict budget. No luxuries.

Si! Hablo Espanol!

In particular:
- What’s going on really in Caracas? Is it that dangerous outside or some people are quite exaggerated? What about photographing in the streets? Possible or better forget it?
- Is it possible to find a cheap and safe place to stay in Caracas for a few days, or only the hefty priced hotels?
- The same about Curacao. Cheap posadas?
- What about the money? I read that it’s better to bring with you dollars in order to exchange them in the black market for a far more better rate than the official one. Should I bring my whole budget in cash or it could be also recommended to have a card for ATM cashing out?
- Does anybody have in mind any particular ritual, festivity or other event which that period of time is photographically worth attending?
- Any place or nice village to not live out of my plan to visit that might not be so popular for tourists but quite nice for photographers?
- As I am not a pro and I don’t have experience on this, should I pay a local in a place in order to show me around and be with me? If yes, how much approx.?
- Any connection there that I could find useful and can help me around?
- Or better, as I see that in Lightstalkers are a few Venezuelan photographers, any Venezuelan photographer that would like to come in contact with me or meeting me in Venezuela?
- Any particular measures that I have to take, warnings, recommendations?

Sorry for the long text, but I have to search it thoroughly and I believe that Lightstalkers it’s an ideal place to find 1st hand information.

If you have a series of information, please do not hesitate to send me a private message.
Gracias,
Fotis
Athens, Greece