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Published: September 7th 2009
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So many people seemed worried when I told them my first country in South America would be Colombia. Apparently the reputation for cocaine and drug wars have painted a less than pretty picture. For your entertainment - here is what the Canadian government has listed on their website.
There is no specific information about future terrorist activities or threats against Canadians citizens in Colombia. However, the security situation remains unpredictable. Possible terrorist targets include military and police vehicles and installations, restaurants, underground garages, nightclubs, hotels, banks, shopping centres, public transportation vehicles, government buildings, and airports located in major cities. Canadians should be vigilant and avoid any unattended packages or parcels and bring them to the attention of security personnel.
On top of this you have to remember that toilet paper can not be put in the toilet! Hard travelling here.
I spent a few days relaxing in Villa de Leyva with some new friends. 8 of us hired a truck to drive us around to some of the local sites. The most exciting and only one worth talking about was a site that is sort of like stonehenge - but with a unique Colombian twist. The entry was
$2, and the guide was free - since I'm not fluent Jun decided to translate. This is how it went.
Guide - spanish, spanish, spanish, phallico, spanish.
Jun- the stones look like cocks.
Guide - spanish, spanish, spanish, inferno, spanish.
Jun - people were scared of the cocks so they called it little hell.
Guide - spanish, spanish, spanish, phallico, spanish.
Jun - basically its a giant cock park
The guide then proceeded to tell us that the penis's are upside down as a fertility offering to mother earth - you take a look and tell me if you think they are upside down. After the brief explanation she went back to her mobile office while we took inappropriate photos all over the area. I hope you enjoy - it was the most entertaining thing I have done in Colombia so far. I had amazing pictures of me doing inappropriate things with the fertility symbols, but I had my camera stolen from so you are left with pictures of Jun and Robin who were nice enough to share their pictures with me. More details to follow.
The following day we took a bus the temperature of menopause
to San Gill. I had the pleasure of sitting beside a new mother who is too young to have a child since she had sweaters and blankets on the sweating baby who was invading my space in the minivan from hell. This may sound mean, but the kid's head was hot as a firecracker and she kept putting the blankets across me. Just when the kid would start to sleep her damn cell phone would go off and it would start crying. Super fun.
We arrived in San Gill - the adventure capital of Colombia. Our first full day there we took a local bus to a waterfall about 30 minutes out of town. (at the bus station I bought a sweet housewarming present for Jen Sharpe from a very sweet old man). After arriving at the middle of the waterfall I left the crew and climbed up to have a spanish explanation of how to rapell the 60 meter waterfall. I was hilding back tears as Juan tried to explain I was ok, the harness would hold me (again, after a 3 minute demonstration in a language i don't understand).
I then screamed as I walked over
the ledge, freaking out as my feet tried to find somewhat stable holds while water poured all over me. The first 20 meters involved chanting "you're fine, you are going to be ok" over and over again. Once I was over half way down I could finally turn and enjoy, but the downpour on my head was pretty funny. Jun took a great video to prove it was me, but wait, that was on the camera that is now stolen.
Yesterday we decided to spend the morning at the botanical gardens. We walked around, then sat down to read in the shade. I had my camera beside me on a bench, then it was gone. After realizing it was gone, I freaked out (as most of you know I would do) cried, and then the poor Swiss guy who joined us had to accompany me to the police station where it took three hours to get a report. I have to report it and hopefully my insurance will pay for it. I'm obviously devastated about losing the camera, the phallic stone pictures and the pics from the waterfall. I know this is where you all tell me to have
saved my pictures - my response to that is too inappropriate for a public blog.
After a 12 hour overnight busride where I slept about 2 hours, I said goodbye to Jun and Robin arrived in Taganga with another Brit Nicole to find Matt Johnson waiting for me at the hostel. After many excited hugs and screams we waited for hours for Lena to arrive. We spent the rest of the afternoon chilling out and sweating in the intense heat. At one point - Matt had to tell Lena to whipe off her sweat mustache. The four of us are signed up for the lost city trek - 6 days in the jungle. Hope to have some fab pictures and funny stories - I am sure that between water purification tablets and sketchy jungle food, someone will have tummy trouble. Adios!
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