Tony, I have to agree with you on a lot of this stuff (at the risk of getting bashed). Coming to a city that you are unfamiliar with is not easy. I have found myself in unsafe situations on more than one trip. I wish I had asked more specific questions regarding the safety of single women travelling to Venezuela. I think it is wise to know what you are getting yourself into & that people have gotten overly sensitive on some of these topics that are not intended to be disrespectful or insulting. If you stick out like a sore thumb in any 'bad' neighborhood, you put yourself at risk. And Tony, I could use your input in my post: Do all tourists travel to a city without money? That too has gotten way off track, insulting, and out of control, even after I re-phrased the question!

Kara <BR> <BR>Will you email me, I need to ask you something? <BR> <BR>JamesBond - yeah they'll be plenty of pics, mate. <BR> <BR>PJ, you were in Caracas?

Yes, Caracas. On business and alone. It was a mess. I didn't know about the fodors board at that time. I still can't believe I made it out of there in one piece! After being mugged for my camera, spit upon, & having my hotel room broken into, I had to hire armed protection to take me everywhere. Ended up costing more than if I had flown my client to the states & put her up here. So, better to ask & be safe, even if it is at the risk of being bashed by Fodorites.

I was positive that this thread was resurrected in light of the other post about travel writers letting people on this forum do their work for them.

Yeah Tony, when are you going to create a Web site to share some of your experiences? I have a feeling it would be entertaining.

Not guilty. <BR> <BR>Dan, I get back in June. Sometime after then.