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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Cumin and saffron are used in many dishes but the distinctive and delicate flavour of most of the popular dishes comes from the use of local roots and vegetables. Some local specialities are tequenos, a popular hors d’oeuvres (thin dough wrapped around a finger of local white cheese and fried crisp); arepas (the native bread), made from primitive ground corn, water and salt; and tostadas, which are used for sandwiches (the mealy centre is removed and the crisp shell is filled with anything from ham and cheese to spiced meat, chicken salad or cream cheese). Guasacaca is a semi-hot relish used mostly with grilled meats. Pabellón criollo is a hash made with shredded meat and served with fried plantains and black beans on rice. Hallaca is a local delicacy, eaten at Christmas and New Year; cornmeal is combined with beef, pork, ham and green peppers, wrapped in individual pieces of banana leaves and cooked in boiling water. Parrilla criolla is beef marinated and cooked over a charcoal grill. Hervido is soup made with chunks of beef, chicken or fish and native vegetables or roots. Purée de apio is one of the more exotic local roots (boiled and puréed, with salt and butter added, it tastes like chestnuts). Empanadas (meat turnovers), roast lapa (a succulent, large rodent) and chipi chipi soup (made from tiny clams) are excellent. Table service is the norm and opening hours are 2100-2300.
There is no good local wine, although foreign wines are bottled locally. There are several good local beers, mineral waters, gin and excellent rum. Coffee is very good and a merengada (fruit pulp, ice, milk and sugar) is recommended. Batido is similar but with water and no milk. Pousse-café is an after-dinner liqueur. Bars have either table or counter service. A lisa is a glass of draught beer and a tercio a bottled beer. Most bars are open very late and there are no licensing laws.
Nightlife: There are many nightclubs and discos in the major cities of Venezuela. The National and Municipal Theatres offer a variety of concerts, ballet, plays, operas and operettas. There are other theatres, some of which are open-air, in Caracas, as well as several cinemas.
Shopping: There are many handicrafts unique to Venezuela which are made by local Indian tribes. Good purchases are gems and jewellery, cacique coins, gold, pearls, pompom slippers, seed necklaces, shoes and handbags, Indian bows, arrows, mats, pipes and baskets, alpargatas (traditional local footwear of the Campesinos), chinchorros (local hammocks) and many other Indian goods. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1500-1900.
Special Events: Every village and town in Venezuela celebrates the feast of its patron saint. It is during these provincial festivals that the tourist can enjoy the colourful folklore that is a mixture of the cultures of pre-Columbian Indians, African slaves and Spanish colonists. For further information on special events, contact the Corporación de Turismo de Venezuela (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of events taking place in 2003:
Jan 14 Procesion de la Divina Pastora (religious procession), from Santa Rosa to Barquismeto. Mar 1-4 Carnival, El Callao. Apr 20 Burning of Judas (Easter ritual), throughout Venezuela. Jun 18-19 Los Diablos Danzantes (dancing in celebration of Corpus Christi), throughout Venezuela. Jun Festival of St John (religious festival celebrated with drumming), throughout Venezuela.
Social Conventions: Shaking hands or using the local abrazo, a cross between a hug and a handshake, are the normal forms of greeting. In Caracas, conservative casual wear is the norm. Men are expected to wear suits for business, and jackets and ties are usual for dining out and social functions. Dress on the coast is less formal but beachwear and shorts should not be worn away from the beach or pool. Smoking follows European habits and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke. Some public buildings are also non-smoking areas. Tipping: Tips are discretionary but in the majority of bars and restaurants ten per cent is added to the bill and it is customary to leave another ten per cent on the table. Bellboys and chambermaids should be tipped, and in Caracas tips are higher than elsewhere. Taxi drivers are not tipped unless they carry suitcases. Petrol pump attendants expect a tip.
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