Venezuela's traditional 'Carnaval' festivities get off to slow start

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, March 02, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Local authorities are reporting a slow start to traditional 'Carnaval' festivities. Vargas State beaches and restaurants had a disappointing day on Saturday. Locals are hoping that things will improve today and Monday. The transport police say traffic has been flowing smoothly on the Caracas-La Guaira highway … it is usually chocker-block during the Carnaval season.

Hoteliers have told reporters that it’s not a problem of gasoline and argue that people are just short of cash after the December-January national stoppage.

It has been noted that more people have been flocking to beaches near Barlovento but then again numbers are not up to last year‘s standards.

Caracas (Simon Bolivar) international airport at Maiquetia has reported a 30% drop in domestic and international flights to traditional Carnaval haunts, such as Porlamar, Maracaibo, Maturin, Miami, Orlando (USA) and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic).

Meanwhile, water is being rationed in Caracas as is now customary during the Carnaval period because of drought and low water levels at reservoirs. The rainy season is expected to start in May and people in Caracas have been asked not waste water in Carnaval excesses.