Blogs from Colombia, South America - page 294

Just crossed the border by foot! Left Ecuador, stood waiting for my Colombian visa, handed over my passport, dude looks at it for a while and then asks me if Im from Nothern Ireland or Southern Ireland! I wasnt really expecting this so was a little flustered in my response, but realising the reason, I tell him that although I was born in Belfast, its a passport from the Republic. He then, picks up the phone then buggers off for 10 mins with my passport. If you are not aware, Irelands profile or more exactly N.Irelands profile has been front page news in Columbia over the last number of years due to 3 alleged ecotourists/IRA guys being arrested for training FARC rebels. They were banged up for 2-3 years on trial, then jumped bail! Irish had ... read more

ORIENTATION The city is laid out in a simple grid system and streets can be identified by the intensity of the smell of urine. Unique cracks in the pavement filled with rotting food or human faeces provide a more detailed indicator of your location. If you need to get to the market, follow the trail of rubbish along the ground and as the smell of septicemia itensifies you know you are getting close. PEOPLE AND CULTURE Santa Marta prides itself on posessing more prostitutes per capita than the rest of South America. The silicon assisted beauties ply their trade over bannisters and bars. Stiletto heels click on the pavement and breasts announce their arrival long before the rest of their body. Pouting ladyboys in tight midriffs and denim skirts blow kisses from the curb. Their muscular ... read more

Have you ever seen paradise? Well, if you haven't I would like to invite you to spend some time in san Andres island. Clear waters, white sandy beaches, hospitable people, and great food. San Andres is the place to be! small advertisement for the few who actually read this… but anyway Tuesday morning our taxi arrived at 630 in the morning to take us to the airport. The airport in medellin is at least an hour away. With the regular routine of checking in , and lines, and tons of waiting, our plane left at around 9ish, and arrived at 11.As soon as we arrived we checked in, but because the room wasn't ready we took a walking tour of the island. Our hotel is located is an inclusivehotel in the center of san Andres, a ... read more

El Aquario is national protected wildlife area. It’s two very small islands in the middle of the ocean that are connected through a sandbar. We woke up early and ate breakfast; breakfast is a buffet style all you can eat. After breakfast out tour guide was waiting. He directed everyone to follow him he was going to take us to where the boats where launched. The place where the boats are launch is guarded by gates inside the gates there’s wooden benches to the left with people sitting down. And vendors to the right selling water shoes, and snorkel gear. We took a seat amongst the many sitting down. Soon enough there was many walking through the isle selling beaded necklaces, and bracelets ‘’yelling courtesy look.’’ After about half hour of sitting there stair at the ... read more

August 10,2007 we spent the day in a small town located on the outskirts on medellin. Recently the highway towards San Jeronimo was remodeled and they now have a 10 mile long tunnel, shortening the drive to about 45 minutes versus 2 hours. We spent the day in a newly opened water park. But for Colombians a water park, is merely a few pools and some restaurants. It did present the opportunity to tan! About 2 hours there, arrived a school bus with elementary kids. Soon enough I was surrounded with about 30 small children. All of which were fascinated by my tattoos, piercing, scar, and nails. And man as soon as they found out I was from USA I had 30 small friends, that all wanted to swim with me. We left the pools at ... read more