Geraldine Joaquim, a 54-year-old UK traveler who has visited over 60 countries, shared her experience of Caracas, Venezuela, which she vows never to revisit. During a work trip, she faced a distressing arrival when her late-night transfer from the airport left her alone and anxious for hours. When a man eventually arrived to take her to the hotel, she felt uneasy getting into a car with him and another man. Upon reaching the hotel, her trip worsened when she was approached by a young man who had taken her bags, who turned out to be offering a paid check-in service.
A 54-year-old woman from the UK, who has visited over 60 countries, has disclosed the one place she would never return to. Geraldine Joaquim, hailing from West Sussex, has experienced some of the world’s most stunning destinations. Her journey began during her time in international marketing, and she has continued to travel since moving into a career as a hypnotherapist and wellness coach. In the past year alone, Ms Joaquim undertook five international trips, as reported by the New York Post. Her adventures included a skiing holiday in Andorra, a safari in South Africa, a villa getaway in Italy, a week in Egypt, and a Christmas market excursion in Mons and Bruges, Belgium.
“I love exploring new and diverse places, truly immersing myself in cultures unlike my everyday life. Being a tourist in another country is a privilege, so I strive to experience both the highlights and the less appealing aspects, instead of expecting an idealized version,” she shared, according to the Post.
Despite her gratitude for the opportunity to travel extensively, Ms Joaquim confessed that there is one destination she swore never to revisit — Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
“It was probably one of my worst travel experiences,” Ms Joaquim recounted. “I was on a work trip, flying in from Montevideo, Uruguay, and my flight arrived late at night. I had arranged for a car to take me from the airport to a hotel in the city for an overnight stay before heading to Isla Margarita, a small island off the coast.”
“Everything felt pretty normal until I began to wait for my transfer. I waited and waited for hours, and as the small airport emptied, I realized I was alone. My phone wasn’t working; it was 1 AM, and no one else was around. When a man finally appeared and said in broken English that he was there to take me to the hotel, I felt relieved. But as I entered the car, I noticed another man sitting in the front seat, which sent my stress levels skyrocketing,” she explained.
“I would normally never get into a car with two strange men, but I had no other choice. So I took a tiny pen knife from my hand luggage and spent the 30-minute ride on high alert, clutching it tightly in my hand,” the 54-year-old elaborated.
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After finally arriving at her hotel for the night and heading back to the airport the next morning, her already troubling trip to the South American nation was about to take a turn for the worse. Upon arriving at the airport, she found herself chasing a young man who had quickly taken her bags and fled. Later, she learned that he was providing a paid “check-in service,” which she eventually had to pay for.
Ms Joaquim said she reluctantly handed over some cash and completed her check-in for the onward flight. Fortunately, her return journey involved only a short layover at Caracas airport before heading back home to the UK, she noted.