Food to date and feeling the pinch - Rachel

Food is exciting and before arriving here, we were resolved to try pretty much anything the kitchens of South America could offer us. Until today, it’s been a disappointing lot. See below, our first evening meal in Caracas, before and after.

Oh the cheese, there’s so much of it, on everything. I’m amazed at the amount of American-style fast food there is for sale. We were defeated in finding a cheap, healthy, interesting meal in Caracas.

Night two seemed a treat when we tracked down spaghetti with tomato sauce (not ketchup I hasten to add) and a mountain of parmesan (which I removed and Simon gobbled).

Breakfast is a mixed bag, good coffee but soggy, deep fried empanadas filled with chicken one day and stale pastries the next. This is a far cry from the melon, papaya and passion fruit of my memories and dreams.

You may be wondering why we’re subjecting ourselves to this and not splashing out on a better offering. It’s been very interesting and a bit disconcerting. Usually coming from the UK, bar Copenhagen, I’ve felt financially wealthier in every other country as the pound has been so strong. I know it’s been unfair, but it’s made travel very easy. Anyhow, this is not the case for us in Venezuela at the moment. Prices for us are equivalent to London. As I can’t see how wages can be comparable to the UK for most people here, it must be something to do with a very bad exchange rate. Does anybody know anything on this? Anyway, probably good to have a better concept of value in a different country for a change instead of everything just being cheap.

On an 8 hour coach trip east from Caracas (which turned into 10) yesterday it was strange to stop at a roadside set up and see all the locals on our bus tuck into big meals and yummy juices which went way above our budget. I realise we’re sounding pretty stingy but I don’t think it’s that – I’m very anti the traveller bargaining down to the last 30p. All the treats are out the window (Simon cites ice-creams costing £2), £10-20 for a main course and really basic accommodation for £35.

We’re thinking we’ll have to cut short our time in Venezuela, fingers crossed that Colombia is cheaper, and check out our couchsurfing options.

I can imagine the lack of sympathy for our cause so I won’t go on. Except to say that we had delicious fish in a market for lunch and jam cobs for tea.