Once again I have found a stick that is finally long enough to scratch my itch, for the travelling bug bite.
Colombia is my first stop on my 4 month adventure. I must admit I was a bit scared of flying into Bogota, Colombia's capitol city -solo. But after the first cab ride and checking into hotsel fatima with my beginner, broken spanish, the inital fears subsided. The hostel I stayed at was lovely and surprisingly clean, and I met great, friendly, travellers right away.
Me a block away form hostel Fatima.
I met up with an awesome Chilean lady by the name of Pamela, we both arrived the same day and weren't expecting rain, so we did what any girl would do in a new city on a rainy day- shopped! Bogota is a very trendy city, and I was feeling a bit like a munger (hippy) with my hikers and MEC get-ups. By the end of the day, I was styled out in a new leather jacket and boots. Aw shiia, five my lbs to the pack back...
A still miner, who digs for good when given a coin.
Bogota nights was filled with pub crawls and games of shit head( cards). During the day we hit up a few must sees such as a gondala ride up to the top of a mountain that overlooks the city. A white church is perched up there with artisan stands surrounding it. Selling all sorts of good, like mini-guitars, and a lot of Catholic paraphernalia.
Gondola
The lookout from the top of the gondola ride.
Simon Bolivar is a man who freed Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Venezuala from a European hold. He also founded Bolivia . Every town and city in these countries found a plaza or a square in his honour.
Plaza de Bolivar
Even the llama's want to check out the Plaza de Bolivar.
Pamela and I with Simon Bolivar.
Next stop, Cartagena. It is the oldest, colonial city in South America and it is praised for its colonial style architecture. My plan was to stay there for a week and do a week of spanish school and live with a Colombian family. But there wasn't enough people for the classes to run, so they offered private instead, muy cara (too expensive).
The boat ride to Play Blanca, with a sneak preview of the beautiful city of Cartagena.
On Tuesday, we headed up Playa Blanca, which is an 45minute speed boat ride away
Playa Blanca
Ceveche anyone?
to paradise, minus the hagglers. I think is it the most turquoise water I have experienced.
We had fresh camerone(shrimp) ceveche, a fresh fish lunch and while sipping on coconuts. Vacation has truly started.
Coconut and white sandy beaches.
Mo, Rickey(USA), me, Pamela(Chile), and Ryan (Vancouver).
Fresh fish lunch, coconut rice, fried plantain.
Unfortunately, I got heat exhaustion and the next day I was not able to keep anything down. But luckily I had a lovely friend from California who brought me water and checked in on me.
That down day also prohibited me from sight seeing the lovely old city. So not pictures yet, sorry.
I am currently in Santa Marta, which is along the Caribbean.
The hostel I am staying at has a lovely roof-top terrace, where I have been doing yoga at sun-set.
View from roof top at sunset.
I was planning on embarking on a 6 day journey through the Tyrona National park, but the guide group I was going to go with only had two other hikers, both Spanish speaking. I know it would be a great opportunity to learn Spanish, but I want to do the trek with a larger group.
Plaza de Bolivar, Santa Marta
So, this afternoon I am heading to Taganga to start scuba-diving! This is a tiny fishing villae that doesn't know hwat hit them, with a super laid back diver and a lb of backpackers. I am super pumped and I can't wait to get into the water and be one with the fishes.
I hope everyone is enjoying the beauty that our wonderful country has to offer and please take in some fresh, crisp kootenay air for me.
Ciao
Brie
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