My parents came to see the baby in January. Here a couple of photos. [View Full Entry]

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Playa Blanca is a beautiful isolated beach on an island off Cartagena, where we stayed for three nights, sleeping in hammocks on the beach. No electrcity, no running water. The days consited of waking up in the morning for a swim, relaxing on the beach, eating fresh fish, relaxing more, eating more fresh fish, and a little more relaxing. You get the picture. Next stop was Cartagena, a old colonial city with a beautiful historic center and an impressive castle. [View Full Entry]

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There is talk that I am the great white Rumbero* of which the prophecy of King Momo of 1888 spoke. Sorry it took almost a week to finish the Carnaval blog, struggling is the word that most handily comes to mind. Quien lo vive es quien que lo goza! A few tales that are profoundly Carnival. Joe (Minnesota gringo) is peeing on the wall of the most expensive hotel in the city taking a break from the street party that is gathering outside and listening to band. You could see the band, hear them perfectly, and all of the poor folks [View Full Entry]

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Somewhat sad to leave Cartagena, we arrived at the airport nice and early and excited to be heading to Bogota. The airline decided to put us on an early flight so we literally walked straight on to the plane which was great and also meant an early arrival into Bogota. My first impression of Bogota was that it wasn´t so bad after all. I felt perfectly safe walking around this modern and stunning city that sprawls across a valley and up the surrounding mountains. My second impression of Bogota was: I am only 23, why can´t I walk up four stairs [View Full Entry]

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Wow....the last week has flown by. With so much packed into my days, its hard to get time to breathe....let alone write on the blog. But let me try and catch you all up... Last Tuesday, a little over a week ago, I chaperoned my Senior class to Santa Maria Plaza de Toros......One of the oldest bullrings in South America. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the bullfight, but we did hang out in the ring. We toured the facilities, went into the holding areas where they keep the bulls and saw the stadium from inside and out. I promise to [View Full Entry]

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After all this time traveling I still find it both refreshing and disturbing how open and direct people are in South America, people talk happily to me about their hemorrhoids and sex lives, people talk about how black somebody is as a means of distinguishing who you are talking about (as in "do you mean Bruno el negrito or el morenito?). This always confuses me because to me they are all dark skinned and I obviously cant distinguish the finer points of brownness yet! The most common name I hear people call each other in Colombia though is Maríca, translated as [View Full Entry]

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I met two swiss guys, Pascal and Julien, In the hostel in Medellin, who were heading to Rio Claro, so I made a last minute decision to join them, and a good decision that was! Rio Claro is a nature reserve about 3hrs from Medellin, with the main feature being the pristine River (Rio Claro). We hadn't booked any accomodation, so when we walked past a campground we decided to give it a try. We managed to hire a tent (at least it resembled one) from the guy who managed the grounds, and stayed there for 4 days. We spent the [View Full Entry]

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Oooooooh! I was very excited when I learned that one of the best places to celebrate Carnival in Latin America (apart from Rio and Salvador, obviously!) was in Barranquilla in Columbia, woo hoo! Barranquilla is a town that absolutely no tourists go to at any other time of the year because it is quite an ugly port city with not much to do. The only good thing about it is that it is where Shakira lives!!! I was very dissapointed not to see her! However, over the 4 days of carnival Barranquilla comes alive with floats, parades and people generally partying [View Full Entry]

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Carnival is tomorrow, I'm sure I'll have a number of madcap stories to tell you after. Us teachers are planning some costumes that would be stunningly unPC and any pictures will pretty much prevent me ever seeking public office, but here it’s all good, in the spirit. Carnival is hedonism, debauchery, and self indulgence. I do my best to avoid all three on a normal basis, but Carnivale brings out the worst in me. Like rollar hockey. I've watched several movies since I've been on break. Dr. Zhivago is excellent, and the actress who plays the lead is beautiful. Being an [View Full Entry]

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I have said it before but it really seems like the whole world is in Colombia! I haven't come across this many travelers, locals or other South Americans in any other country. I know I have been here over Christmas holidays but it doesn't seem to be stopping even now. Some one said that the locals here are only just starting to feel safe enough now to travel again in their own country and I guess they have been waiting a long time. I am really enjoying Colombia for lots of reasons, the climate, the music, the friendly people. It seems [View Full Entry]

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