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Published: November 21st 2006
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Ok, I know I've been a bit slack seeing I started writing this 2 months ago but have only just got around to adding the photos. So here is the last installment of my Columbia & Guatemala trip.
Back in Bogota again and it was still a bit over whelming. Although my spanish has now become existant I'm still struggling. People here speak very fast unlike Guatemala where everyone just cruised along. but the good thing is that I can understand so much more than I did before and in a round about way can have a very basic conversation. If I didn't mention it last time I was in Columbia I will try my best to describe Bogota. Bogota is a massive city with so many confusing bits about it. it is surrounded by mountains which from what I've been told makes it quite difficult to fly into and there are often 'accidents' with planes. It's ok, I'm alright if you are worried at all. One of my favourite things that absolutely amazes me is the unfinished roads. Unlike many countries where they'll start at one end but not finish it, here they will start at both ends bringing
them together until they run out of money and there is a metre or two gap with just gravel and some of the biggest pot holes I've seen. I'm sure some of the missing motorcyclists are hidden in there just trying to find a way out. And of course there is always the driving but through my travels I have learnt to put on a brave face when it comes to this. I am starting to become desensitive to mad, crazy people who truly, honestly believe they are the only ones on the road.
Anyway, I have been staying with a friend and his family whom I met last time I was here. They are family of a good friend of mine in London. I feel people here are very hospitable. My friend, Edwin and his family have really made me feel welcome and showed me around a lot. We checked out the Mueso de Oro which translates to the Gold Museum. It is full of gold, obvioulsy, but this is all ancient artifacs. It was pretty impressive. We attempted to do a tour but it was all in spanish and the chick spoke way to fast for me.
One of the highlights though was the visit to Catedral de Sal which is in a small town, Zipaquira a couple of hours from Bogota. This place was amazing. Now let me just say it is not beautiful and full of art and frescos like most cathedrals. It is a cathedral which is located underground in old salt mines. It is full of massive caves and caverns. As you walk through you will see you pass by a series of caverns with huge carved stone crosses or crosses carved in the walls and lit up. These caverns represent the Forteen stages of the Cross which depict a different point in the life of Jesus Christ. There is a massive cavern which is used for sermons and there is a cavern full of stairs. this area felt like a scene out of Laberynth. But absolutely amazing. My only disappointment is that my photos didn't even come close to the real thing, actually alot of them didn't work out.
Although Catedral de Sal was a huge highlight I have to say the next big one was the shopping. Oh my god, if I had know it was going to be so
Catedral de Sal
With my friends mother cheap I wouldn't of drunk so much in Guatemala. The shopping was fab with so many excellent brand names going so cheap. Now please don't get this mixed up with fake brand stuff you buy in markets I'm talking the real stuff in real shops. Now for those who know me they know I love to shop but am also a bit of a tight arse so I would never own a pair of diesel jeans. But now thanks to the fabulous retail industry in Columbia I now fit in with the crowd. No more being an outcast for me.
Anyway my trip is now over and I want to say a huge thank you to Edwin and his family for looking after me for a few days and to my lovely family in Guatemala. It all really added to the experience and it was nice not to be always with the foreign tourists.
So until my next trip or entry I will say Adios.
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