Friday, October 17, 2008

Our View

I suspect that most of our readers have never been to Caracas so by drips and drabs we will try to give some insight into life in the capital of Venezuela. Much of the city is built on hills and our apartment building happens to be at the top of one of them. These are not ordinary hills either, whilst driving from the top to the bottom our ears pop. And the roads snake up them with so many twists and turns that my penchant for motion sickness kicks in almost immediately if I don't keep my eyes straight ahead, focused on the scenery. Single family dwellings in Caracas are almost unheard of and usually only occupied by the uber-rich. All embassy families live in apartment buildings and most come with playgrounds, small gyms and pools. People pay big bucks for a good view and though we indicated the playground and pool were more important in selecting a residence for us, we are very pleased with the view we ended up with. The following photos are what we see of Caracas from our apartment. It is even more spectacular at night!

this is the view from our terrace -- I love how green it is here

a view from the front of our building -- on the right side of the
photo is the city's only major freeway

0ur pools -- come on over, the water is heated year round

the skies over Caracas -- no visible pollution over the city
because the mountains on either side form a funnel that sweeps
all that nastiness out to sea

26 comments:

Jacqueline Auna and family said...

Wow! Breath-taking! I'm openly envious. : )

Annemarie said...

That really is beautiful!

Mibi and Lee said...

It kind of looks like honolulu...with all the high rises and lush greenery everywhere:-) How fun for you to be able to see the world!!!!!

Jake said...

I love these windows into your fabulously exotic life!

Jess D. said...

WOW! We'll be there next fall!

alisa and sometimes brandon said...

I like it! Thanks for sharing. :)

Lauren in GA said...

Looking at those pictures makes me want to inhale deeply. It looks so fresh and clean and green.

And the heated pool ain't too bad, either ;)

stephanie said...

Looks pretty! What a great experience to be able to live there. Landan was excited I found your blog. Check our blog out sometime and give us a big what's up, when you have time. stephlandan.blogspot.com

Kristy said...

That is really beautiful. Hooray for no garua. Have you found a good empleada that you feel comfortable leaving the kids with so you can get out for a pedicure or something? Oh how I miss getting my nails done.

Christie said...

I will be there, say January. Get my room ready.

CStubits said...

Well, judging from how we did on curvy roads in Peru, Sue and I would never make it to your apartment. We'll have to arrange to meet at the foot of the hill next time we manage to drag them away for spring break. :)

dana said...

Wow, what a change of scenery from Lima! Absolutely gorgeous. I'm glad you scored a sweet view AND a heated pool. Uh, bling bling.
Maybe we'll put Caracas on our travel list...

Anonymous said...

holy cow...gorgeous. your life there appears charmed; i hope that's what you intended to convey.

it was fun seeing you and your brood this summer, albeit briefly.

maybe i will try to swing a visit to caracas,
lindsay call

Cassidy said...

Lovely, just lovely. And the pool looks quite inviting. The weather is finally starting to turn here. Sadly, winter is on its way.

HMichaelsen said...

What a view! Thanks for sharing!

Nate and Sina said...

Wow! I am signing up for it next time around...oh wait, that food shortage thing... but really, I didn't know it would be so lovely.

Maren said...

Absolutely beautiful!

lis said...

I bet you have much happier lungs, being there instead of here! :)
I'm so glad you guys have a beautiful place to call home.
You are making me consider Caracas for R&R!!!

Robin said...

I am so glad you posted this. I was wondering about the city. I gonna have to get a map out and find out exactly where it is.

BTW - it is 40 degrees today at my house...lucky you.

teresa and the boys said...

*sigh*

Jenibelle said...

I have been to Caracas!!! Twice! It is a beautiful city and the air really is clear. The beach on Columbus Day? Not so great.
Seeing the city "from above" really gives the feeling of how big it really is! What a fun place to live.

diane said...

I love hearing about your exotic life. What a gorgeous view. Thanks for sharing.

Margaret said...

I love hearing about your life. You live in a beautiful place. I hope all is well.

Our Side of Paradise said...

nice view, thank you for your help last time, Sloane is feeling better, we think she is teething now.

Lisa-Marie said...

It's so fun to live vicariously through you and your adventures. What a beautiful place to live. I hope you swim LOTS!

Mindy said...

that sky picture is exquisite. we have a brown smog covering our skies here in the valley of the sun. so keep the updates coming. i think i heard something else about chavez on npr this week making some deal with russia. details linsey, details.

 

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