Blogs from Colombia, South America - page 283

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 time there relaxing, swimming, fishing and sitting around the campfire. We also managed to hire some tubes, so also spent a few hours floating down the river, stopping to jump off some cliffs, exploring a ... read more

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 actor really is like being immortal, since I imagine this lady is probably pretty old by now and not so beautiful, except maybe on the inside and who cares about that? This theory also justifies ... read more

Bogota was my first stop in Colombia, and is a pretty interesting city. I did most of the major sighseeing on the first day, starting in the historic center, Plaza Bolivar. From there all the interesting buildings (Cathedrals, presidents residence, older buildings) are quickly covered. Entrance to museaums was also free, so I visited the Gold museum, as well as the Botero gallery, which much to my suprise, I quite enjoyed. Botero is a famous Colombian artist, who draws (and sculpts) everything supersized. For great views of the city, I took the cable car up to Monseratte, a church on the mountains overlooking Bogota. That evening I met up with Stewart, a friend of Mike (a friend from Vienna), who has been living in Colobia for 10 years. He gave me some tips about Colombia, and ... read more

My roommates took off this weekend to go play in a mountain lake, and I'm left here alone. It's okay. First, I really didn't need to spend the money to go there, when in two weeks we are going there for free on a teachers retreat. Second, two people are coming down this weekend. One of my roommates is coming back, and then a good friend of us Judson guys is coming to stay for a while....like a couple months while. Its another amigo to hang out with, help on rent and help sub some of my classes. Also, we had our maid come for the first time today. I know! Sounds very bourgeouis, but five guys living in an apartment is not a good start for cleanliness. Plus, its worth $15 American dollars a week ... read more

So, much to the dismay of my brother, I made it to Colombia. His warnings of the Cali and Medellin drug cartels, Pablo Escobar stories, the fact it produces 80% of the world´s cocaine, and has regular tales of kidnappings and murders, was enough to put some doubts in my mind. But the experiences of everyone else I have met on the road proclaims it to be one of the world's best kept secrets. Let´s keep it that way, eh? It is, and I am not exagerrating, one of the most beautiful, peaceful and friendly places I have ever been to in my entire life. Apart from Malaysia, but of course I´m supposed to say that. We arrived in Bogota, wet and stinking after our little jungle adventure. Bogota is cold, and generally threatening rain if ... read more