Geraldine Joaquim, a well-traveled hypnotherapist and wellness coach, never expected a quick layover in Venezuela to become one of the most harrowing nights of her life.
With more than 60 countries under her belt and a passion for taking up to four vacations a year, the 54-year-old considered herself a confident and capable traveler. But during a work-related trip to Isla Margarita, a short stop in Caracas shattered her sense of security.
The Start of Trouble
The trouble began the moment she landed in Venezuela’s capital, expecting a straightforward overnight stay before heading to the island. Though a driver had been arranged in advance, no one showed up. As the airport grew quiet and passengers disappeared, Joaquim realized she was stranded, with no working phone and no familiar contacts.
“I waited and waited—until I was the only one left,” she recalls. “That’s when the fear kicked in.”
Then, out of nowhere, a man approached and claimed to be her driver. His English was broken, but he insisted he had come to pick her up. Joaquim’s instincts wavered between relief and anxiety, especially when she noticed a second man already seated in the front of the car.
An Anxiety-Fueled Ride
With no better options, she climbed in, clutching a small penknife from her handbag. “It was the longest 30 minutes of my life. I stayed alert the entire time, gripping that knife just in case,” she admitted.
Luckily, the ride ended without incident, and she arrived safely at her hotel—though too shaken to get much rest.
But the Ordeal Wasn’t Over
The next morning, her return to the airport brought more unexpected stress. While paying the taxi driver, she noticed a man walking off with her suitcase. In a panic, she chased him down, only to be told he was providing a “check-in assistance service” and demanded a tip.
Feeling pressured and out of options, she handed over some money and boarded her flight back to the UK—relieved to leave the entire experience behind.
A Lesson in Vulnerability
Now, Joaquim candidly refers to that night as one of her worst travel moments. “It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and definitely one I won’t repeat,” she says. Despite her love for exploring new destinations, she has firmly scratched Caracas off her future travel plans.
Conclusion
Geraldine Joaquim’s night in Caracas is a sobering reminder that no traveler—no matter how experienced—is immune to feeling lost, vulnerable, or afraid. While adventure often includes a few bumps along the way, this trip crossed the line from unpredictable to unnerving.
Between being left alone in a foreign airport, a tense car ride with strangers, and a strange man walking off with her luggage, the events were enough to turn a quick layover into a lasting nightmare. For Joaquim, the charm of travel still holds strong—but Caracas will never be part of that journey again.