Jay & Nicole's Apartment In Caracas,
Venezuela - Aug 2004
(click any picture to get enlargement)
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In our search for an apartment
in Caracas, we met with various realtors.
We gave the realtors the
following requirements: 1)
A place that is close to Nicole's work (within 15 minute walk)
2) Is safe (hopefully with security and possibly top floor)
3) Has a nice terrace and view (hopefully of the mountains)
4) Has a pool, jacuzzi, and/or tennis courts
5) Is furnished with appliances
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We looked at about 20 different places over
the span of a week. In reality, this was not an extensive search ... but
we got lucky saw a few acceptable places. The
local economy is not doing very well at this time. This means that we can get
a place for half the cost as compared to a few years ago.
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The place we selected is along a nice
tree-lined street.
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From Nicole's office it is just to the left of
the big white building..
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The complex is called Usua; we have no idea
what it means.
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Then entry is securely guarded and somewhat
artsy.
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The parking & extra storage is underneath
the building.
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The building has only 9 units in it; we have
the luxury of the top-floor penthouse.
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From the street it is somewhat hard to see the
top floor.
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The lobby area is very lush and well
maintained.
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The elevator is our front door.
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As you exit the elevator you come into the
entry area; to the right are the bedrooms.
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To the left is the kitchen, dining and living
areas. Let's check out the kitchen first.
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As you enter the kitchen you have a long
counter on the right and a wetbar to the left.
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Luckily, the appliances are included in the
rent ... even though they are a little old.
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There is plenty of storage...
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... and even a nice view from the end of the
wetbar; I bet I will eat my quick meals right here.
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The utility area and "maids room" is
behind the wet bar.
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Going out of the kitchen, and to the left, is the
dining area.
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This area has two sections; the first is a
"sitting area".
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The second section is the main dining area.
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There are many windows in the penthouse and all of them have built-in planter
boxes outside of them; the result is quite tropical!
(note: we were told the plants are
self-maintaining ... yeah, right!)
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The living area is next to the dining area; no
full walls!
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This area is quite large; we may need to shop
for furniture!
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A large terrace is what we wanted;
this one faces south.
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Through the living room you follow a curving
hallway...
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... which leads you to a large entertainment
area.
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This area has a brightly lit
sitting area and a bar.
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Luckily we will have our South African wine to
fill the bar!
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There is also another very large terrace!
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This terrace faces East and the end
of the Avila mountains.
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Behind the bar is a hall which leads to the
back of the kitchen and to a guest bathroom.
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The guest bath is a half-bath; there are 5
other full bathrooms!
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If you still can imagine where you are in the
penthouse, you are doing well. It is an odd shaped building and we get
confused when we try to talk about a specific room or area. It will be
interesting to see how it looks after we furnish it!
To continue the tour, we will return to the
front entrance and go to the right, into the bedroom areas.
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From the entry, you come through this door
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... and into this room, which will be the
family (TV) room.
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This wall has a bathroom & door to the
master bedroom.
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Along this wall are the doors to the Guest
bedrooms.
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The left room is bigger and will be the main
guest room.
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It has plenty of cabinets and storage
space.
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The wash basin is elevated & has quite a
nice view.
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The toilet & shower area is also quite
nice.
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The walk-in closet was an extra
surprise.
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The room to the right isn't as big & will
become the study.
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It also has storage areas for sports and
travel items.
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These rooms share a nice terrace which faces
West.
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From the family room you can enter the master
bedroom.
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On the left as you enter is a closet ... with
a view!
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Nicole fell in love with this room (she calls
it "her" closet).
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Further into the bedroom is the master
bathroom.
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This room is actually not very
impressive.
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It is quite spacious, but the items &
colors aren't that great.
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Continuing down the room towards the terrace
door, you come to ...
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... another room (and bath) that has stunning
views; any ideas for this room?
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Outside the door you come upon our 4th
terrace!
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This terrace faces a little west so we can
view the sunsets.
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Most of it faces north, which allows great
mountain views.
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The terrace wraps around the side of the
bedroom.
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Another nice aspect of this terrace is the
jacuzzi ...
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... but maybe I should run the controls!
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To end the tour we return to the master
bedroom.
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The large west-facing window looks over the
terrace plants.
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This bedroom isn't real big, but will be OK
for us!
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In summary, we asked the realtor to show us a
place that ...
1) Is close to Nicole's work
(this place is only 4 blocks away ... 5-10 minute walk)
2)
Is safe (there is 24hour security and we are on the top floor of a tall
building)
2)
Has a nice terrace and view (we got 4 big terraces with a 360 degree view)
3)
Has a pool or tennis curts (we had to "settle for an outdoor jacuzzi
bath)
4) Is
furnished with appliances (it has all but a microwave, which we have) We
were very satisfied with the results and will hopefully enjoy the next few
years here!!!
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The views are more stunning than we thought,
and it is funny to look out one balcony and see Nicole out on another of the
balconies.
The amount of windows and greenery in this
penthouse will make us feel very free and alive (and will provide plenty of
exercise for us!).
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