{"id":5635,"date":"2023-09-27T13:58:27","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T18:58:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=5635"},"modified":"2023-09-27T14:17:30","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T19:17:30","slug":"48-hours-venezuelas-barcelona-offers-surprising-people-landscapes-culture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=5635","title":{"rendered":"48 Hours: Venezuela’s Barcelona offers surprising people, landscapes, culture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted September 27, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By VALERIA PALLADINO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BARCELONA, Venezuela — \u201cNext destination: Aeropuerto Internacional de Barcelona.\u201d
Once you hear the words: expect the unexpected, and keep in mind, this is not your typical leisure travel experience. Most husbands will be delighted to hear: no shopping malls in the itinerary, and if you want my personal recommendation, warn your wife a few weeks in advance.  If you have one. There are many reasons to visit Barcelona in Venezuela and shopping is not one of them. But I’ll tell you what is. I\u2019ll do you one better; I\u2019ll plan this trip for you. Barcelona is warmth in every sense of the word — people, landscapes, and culture will have you surprised. Plus, Latins really do know what it means to have fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday at noon (12 p.m.)<\/strong>

Upon arrival at Aeropuerto Internacional de Barcelona there will be lots of people; and not many flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To check in at immigration, not many cashiers. Even so, everyone is attentive and willing to help. The process is a little tedious as there\u2019s not many cashiers, so the line takes a while. But you\u2019ll be surprised that either way, once you\u2019re in and pick up your bags, it\u2019s a matter of minutes until you\u2019re out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And after one or two flights, I know what you must be thinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Los Asadores (arrival: 2- 2:30 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hungry people tend to be irritated people. So first, let’s fix this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entering \u201cLos Asadores\u201d you will see the grill and cooks right in front of the tables preparing the orders for everyone to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The setup is elegant: yellow lights, dark colors, paintings on the walls, Mediterranean lamps hanging from the ceiling, and wine\u2026 lots of it. In the background, there\u2019s music coming from the corner of the room, where a man is playing the saxophone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the food, the specialty is steak, but there\u2019s all kinds of meats and seafood. A pro tip is to order basically all the entrees because they are almost better than the main courses. But if you\u2019re really getting in character, order the \u201carepitas\u201d, a Venezuelan dish, as part of your entrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the grill, some of the plates are also prepared right in front of you. The Caesar salad for example is prepared for you to see the ingredients and how it is done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food arrives quickly, and prices are in the range of $8 to $55 per plate. The U.S. dollar is the most common currency. A lunch for three people, including dessert and coffee will be around $140.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eurobuilding Hotel (4 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that we can judge properly, and have a full stomach, it\u2019s time to get settled in, take a shower, and drop off the luggage at the hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming in through the glass doors, there\u2019s a lobby bar and the check-in station. The lobby is very spacious with modern and sophisticated decorations. The pool area includes another bar and a lot of wooden decors, going for a \u201cbeachy\u201d look. Outside there\u2019s several seating areas and social gathering spots with cushioned seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cEurobuilding\u201d hotel is the newest hotel in Lecheria, five stars rated. It is located in El Morro, Barcelona (9.3 miles away from the airport).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through your window you\u2019ll be able to see either mountains or the hotel pool. The \u201cAqua Restaurant\u201d opens at 6 a.m., where you\u2019ll have your included breakfast, in a buffet with a view to the pool and further down, the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Parador (6:30-7 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After being settled, showered, and all dressed up, it\u2019s time. Let’s drink!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our next destination is a Spanish cocktail restaurant at the marina shore, where you can see yachts and boats bursting with loud music through the canals. \u201cEl Parador\u201d offers both indoor and outdoor seating.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The El Parador Restaurant offers outdoor dining (Photos by Valeria Palladino).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Seat outside, under the light-up churuata, surrounded by palm trees and viewing the marina more directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: whenever you hear the Spanish song \u201cSilverio,\u201d it means one thing: someone ordered the \u201cpescado a la sal,\u201d a dish of grouper fish, served on a plate surrounded by fire.  It sounds like Pasodoble, if that helps. A music genre characterized by a rapid march that soldiers used to regulate their pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours can pass by listening to live music, and watching the boats navigate during the nighttime or watching the sunset if you arrive a little earlier (around 6 p.m.) but once midnight hits it starts to shut down, which means\u2026 next stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drums (12:30 a.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know the hours might seem a little crazy, depending on where you\u2019re from, but Latinos tend to go out until the morning, meaning 6-7 a.m., on a regular weekend, so keep that in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next door, just a couple minutes away, \u201cDrums,\u201d is where you\u2019ll start to really experience the culture. The music is local and mostly salsa. This place is known for karaoke and live music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drums opens \u201cuntil the body holds up\u201d, as they say.  It\u2019s the place to stay up dancing and drinking until your feet hurt. You\u2019ll see groups of friends, couples, and even women alone dancing passionately to the beat of the salsa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And on that note, it\u2019s enough drinking for the day. The time to get back to the hotel has come. Make sure to get a good 8 hours of sleep because tomorrow is intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday- Breakfast (9 a.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning you’ll have no \u201cresaca.\u201d The Latin way to say: I hope you\u2019re not hungover. Good thing breakfast is included, so you don\u2019t have to go too far just yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entering the buffet, you see the pool is already filled up with people swimming and tanning. Of course, your focus is on the variety of sweet and salty options to choose from at the center table and on the chef waiting to make your eggs of choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isla de Plata (11 a.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You haven\u2019t been to Barcelona if you didn\u2019t go to the beach. Your boat or yacht will be waiting for you at the marina, \u201cMarina Imbuca.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to stop along the way for your preferred drinks and snacks. Any marketplace would work, but one option is \u201cCasa de la ca\u00f1a.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mariners will assist you as soon as you arrive and make sure everything is in place and ready to go. On the way to Isla de Plata, you will see clear water and mountains. If you\u2019re lucky you\u2019ll even, get a glimpse of some dolphins passing nearby. The view is worth the 30-minute trip. Take the time to appreciate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isla De Plata is a small, yet beautiful, island. You\u2019ll see tranquil waters, white sand, lots of boats, and most likely hear reggaeton. Small boats will wander by filled with tourists watching the mountains and the overall scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venders will surround you every hour or so, to sell you oysters or ice cream. If you do like oysters, they will set up next to you and start cutting them up. They will hand them to you fresh and give you a lime to squeeze on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When lunchtime arrives it\u2019s time for the best part. Fish at the beach is another level. You can order from your boat, and they will bring it directly to you. Normally, the fish comes with fried plantains, known as \u201ctostones,\u201d and salad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: Do not miss this under any circumstances. Unless you do not like fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El Faro (4 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s one more beach you must visit, the less tranquil one.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The marina at El Faro beach offers access to crystalline water and boats of many sizes and types.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

El Faro is a beach with crystalline water. It\u2019s usually filled with boats, and especially on a Saturday afternoon. It\u2019s the perfect place to disconnect and enjoy the view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because Barcelona is small, you\u2019ll notice that it seems like everyone knows everyone. Boats are next to each other, and people pass from one boat to another. There are also women dancing, some explicitly, in most of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are options to get on the \u201cbanana,\u201d rent watercrafts or ride the rafts. As it starts to get dark, and the night approaches, it feels like this is a party on its own. The boats all have colorful lights and are lined up next to each other. There\u2019s a mix of Latin and house music and everyone is suddenly on just one of the boats: the biggest one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ride back is breathtaking as you can see Barcelona\u2019s most impressive neighborhoods. You\u2019ll see mountains, huge, gorgeous houses, and residences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Casino (9 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still in beachwear, it\u2019s time to test your luck. Next stop, the casino at the Maremares Hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Casino offers different games of chance for those who wish to try, perhaps they may even win a Fiat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The place of endless possibilities. Tables filled with people praying they play their cards right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flashing colors stand out from all directions of the room from all sorts of machines. It is generally packed, and people are seated drinking, or eating, or both. Then there\u2019s also those who won\u2019t leave the machines all night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You overhear someone talking about the raffle, apparently for a car. Who knows? You might leave there with a new Fiat 500e.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marea (2 a.m)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully it\u2019s time to celebrate that good luck, or maybe drink to forget. Whichever is the case, Marea is the ideal place to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marea is a nightclub and restaurant at the beach. The second floor is usually the part where people eat, and at ground level there is a bar on the beach. It becomes an outdoor nightclub where people dance and drink until the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You enter through a bridge directly to the bar, right next to two swings. As you keep walking the floor is sand and there\u2019s a space left for people to dance and socialize in, better known as, the dance floor. The live DJ plays right in front of you. The music is normally a mix of house, EDM, and reggaeton. While partying you can always walk to the beach for a little break, to recompose. On several occasions people even go for a swim or to tan right after partying in the morning time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine being drunk at 5 a.m. and watching the sunrise from the party. It\u2019s a unique and gratifying experience. Breakfast is also served right there on the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calle del Hambre (3 a.m.- 5 a.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After partying there\u2019s a little tradition. When you\u2019re drunk and hungry for whatever comes at you, there\u2019s a place where everyone goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This place is \u201cCalle del Hambre\u201d, more specifically, this street. It\u2019s not the fanciest, but it hits the spot. This street is filled with fast food options and is normally open 24\/7. There are hamburgers, pepitos, arepas, hotdogs and all kinds of food options. Think of it almost like the after party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast (9 a.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before leaving there\u2019s one last thing to do. For breakfast, strictly empanadas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The winery, and marketplace \u201cLa Bodeguilla\u201d has the ones you\u2019re looking for. Empanadas are made of corn dough and are stuffed with anything you could want. Normally, it\u2019s either cheese, ham and cheese, beef, chicken, or fish. After this, you\u2019ll be able to leave with a happy memory, if you haven\u2019t had enough already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Departure (Noon)<\/strong>

The weekend is now over, and you are headed towards the airport. In no time you\u2019re already lining up for your flight considering there\u2019s not a large volume of people inside. All that\u2019s left to say is, who would have thought\u2026 a place known for economic and political hardness, and depicted as poor and in crisis, would end up being such a pleasant destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If You Go<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n