In this lesson, we will take a little trip to the capital of Venezuela -- Caracas. We will also learn some slang that you are likely to hear in Venezuela that may not be used or may even have a completely different meaning in other parts of Latin America!

<h4 class="text-info mt-4 mb-2">Vocabulary:</h4>chamo - means boy or young man. Kind of like "bro" or "dude".
chévere - used to say something is good or nice. A lot like "cool."
chimbo - the opposite of "cool" - like "lousy" or "lame."
vaina - means "thing" and can be used in practically any situation.
un pelo - literally means "a hair" and is used to describe a small amount of something.
bolo - a slang term for money.
¡Ladilla! - an all-purpose exclamation to express annoyance.
echar los perros - literally means "to throw dogs" but is used to say "to flirt".
pana - used casually to say friend, buddy, or bro.
arrecho - it can mean angry, but can also be used to mean something is cool or awesome.

[SLIDE 1]

The capital of Venezuela is Caracas, a city of about two million inhabitants just minutes from the Caribbean Coast. If you were to visit Caracas, the first thing you would notice is the imposing mountain that surrounds the city. The mountain is called the Waraira Repano or El Ávila, and it provides a gorgeous, relaxing backdrop no matter where you are.

In Caracas, you don’t need more than an umbrella (just in case of a passing rain shower), and maybe a light sweater sometimes. The temperature is almost constantly comfortable.

[SLIDE 2]

There is plenty to do in Caracas. If you like cultural activities, you might want to check out a play at the Teatro Teresa Carreño, or you could go see the house where Simón Bolívar grew up. Bolívar was the leader of the revolution against Spain that led to Venezuela's independence, and is considered one of the nation's founding fathers.

[SLIDE 3]

If you prefer to get to know a city by its food, you will find a lot of diversity in Caracas. Just like its people, there is a bit of everything from traditional Venezuelan dishes like arepas or pabellon, to Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Lebanese, and other cuisines.

If you are of the adventurous type, take a hike all the way up to Sabas Nieves where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city. The Caribbean beaches are just 40 minutes away if you prefer the ocean. In the end, whether it is nature or culture you are looking to experience, there is a bit of everything in Caracas.