Jeff

THURSDAY (1-24-13): We are up pretty early so we can walk to the central area for breakfast. We go to a place I had walked by several times. We both have eggs Mexican style - yummy. We buy another pound of coffee and return to the room for our adventure to the villages Zinacantan & San Juan Chamula. Both of these places have large indigenous populations and are relatively secluded from outdoor life. We first went to a very small village called Zinacantán the village is supported by growing flowers. You enter and can’t help but feel that you have stepped back in time. After going to the church, we had the opportunity to speak with some women who sold beautiful handwoven pieces. They showed us how a backstrap loom works, and then Teresa and I ... read more

SATURDAY (1-19-13): We arrived in to Tuxtla on time (8:00 pm) and the airport was almost empty. The 50 people on our plane were the only people in immigration. 30 minutes after arrival we had hit the ATM machine, had a pocket full of pesos and were in our taxi on our way to Chiap de Corzo. On the way, our driver told me that the city was a little bit crazy so he may not be able to get into the central area and we may have to walk a bit. I was less than excited about this idea given that it was dark, the city will be full of people partying and we have all of our stuff! When we arrive he was right, the road into the downtown area is closed and a ... read more

During the past 10 years, I have been given the opportunity to travel through Mexico, Central America and now, for the first time, South America. I can’t help but reminisce about the adventures I have had tramping through so many wonderful Countries. All the countries I visit and people I meet along the way will be etched in my mind forever. So let me share some of my reflections on Columbia, South America: 1. If you decide to go, you’ll get strange looks and questions (“Why would you want to go there…”). One friend said he would pray for me! My brother said his partners told him (jokingly) they would not take up a collection to pay the ransom. Perception and reality are often quite a long way apart. Columbia was out of favor for years, ... read more

We arrive in Bogotá airport 40 minutes late. Edgar from Explore Bogota, is waiting for us www.explorabogota.com/index_english.html. We had only one day in the city so I decided to book a tour. I wanted to learn as much as possible about the city in a very short time. I had read about Edgar on the internet. He has great reviews on tripadvisor.com so two weeks before our departure I contract him and worked out two tours. He picks us up at the airport and takes us to the hotel to drop off our stuff (Hotel looks great!) We start with the City Tour. He drives us part way up a hill in the city. We exit and go a building where we catch a swiss style gondola that climbs to Convent Monserrate. From here, ... read more

Wednesday 1-8-12 I slept really well last night. I have not said anything about the sleeping arrangements at Ranchero de la Luna in Minca. We are on the top floor and there is only one full size bed that hangs from ropes in the middle of the room. Given Lance’s condition he automatically gets the bed. There is a sofa and Milton, the owner, covers it in sheets and blankets for me. It was great. I wake in the morning to birds all around the house. I can hear Milton moving downstairs. He already has coffee brewing and is cutting up vegetables. I walk downstairs. The smell of coffee is wonderful. The taste is even better. Milton is making a consume. He thinks it will be easy on Lance’s stomach. He has cut up potatoes, onions, ... read more

We awoke very early and the owner of the Hotel Aluna arranged for a local to drive us to Parque Nacional Tayrona ($70.000). The plan was for him to drive us to AND INTO the park. If you exit the taxi outside the park, you have a surprisingly grueling 30 minute walk to the trail. I was very glad we opted for the extra drive.The downside is it costs 10.000 pesos for the car to enter the park and leave (there is a shuttle but it was empty and you have to wait). The guide book said it was about a 3km walk. If you are loaded with packs, you will regret the walk. The first part is quite easy, just walking along a smooth flat road, although slightly uphill. It will be hot though and ... read more