Greetings from Colombia!
Despite
repeated warnings/worries/concerns from every imaginable source,
Colombia was the chosen destination for my trip this summer. We'll get
into the security thing in a minute. Later in July, I'll be importing
some exquisite Swedish goods into the heart of Cartagena. In other
words, my girlfriend, Maria. She'll join me for 2 weeks of jungle
madness in the Amazon and life on the north coast before we head to
Sweden for the remainder of the summer. It is in Stockholm that I will
be put to task with charming her friends and family.
My trip
began in the northern coastal city of Cartagena. The air assaults you
as you step off the plane and onto the tarmac. 34 degrees and humidity
of about 90%. You are in a constant state of "soaking-wet sweat" but
you get used to it after a few days. As I made my way to El Centro in
the taxi, the streets were fast moving and chaotic. I got that exciting
feeling that anything can and will happen here. I knew that, good and
bad, I was going to have an adventure here!
Here are some links to photos until I can get mine uploaded:
Cartagena
is probably one of the largest, most fascinating living museums in the
world. The old town is built entirely inside a massive old colonial
fort. When I say massive, I mean massive. The colonial arciteture is
beautifully mixed with caribbean flavoured colorscapes, sights, sounds,
energy and heat of the city. It can really throw you for a loop. There
are about 10 vendors/touts per square meter here selling everything
from juice to baked goods, sausages, cigarettes, candy, parts for your
blender, playboy magazines, rusted tools, feminine products... you name
it, they got it. If they don't they know someone who does!!!
It
must be noted that if you don't speak Spanish here, you're screwed.
Nobody (rightfully so) speaks English so you need to have at least the
basics down pact. Needless to say, my Spanish is improving rapidly. An
awesome byproduct of the trip.
The food is good and cheap. A full
course (comida corrientes) that comes with a big bowl of beef soup,
rice, frijoles, beef or chicken, ensalada, banana and yucca and an ice
tea comes to a whopping $1.50 Canadian. If you're willing to eat at the
street vendors, cut that in half but you'll need the savings to buy
toilet paper, as you'll probably spend alot of time on the toilet. I
personally enjoy it (the vendor food, not the toilet). It's an
important part of travel for me. Although, if it looks like it'll  keep
me on the toilet for more than 2 days, I pass :-) Having said that,
I've actually just recovered from a bad bout accompanied by a nasty
fever. Knocked me out for a couple days, but after drinking about 7
beer last night, I'm back to 100%. hahaha!!!
Talking about
beer, this is THE place to enjoy a few pints. It only sets one back
about 1000 pesos or 40-60 Canadian cents a bottle. If you're a local,
you'll probably get them for cheaper. You're free to drink it anywhere
you please: In your car, in the streets, in the mall... so long as you
pay the deposit for the bottle, which, oddly enough, is worth more than
the beer and quite an incentive to recycle I must say.
I read
in my little travel guide that hostels/hotels back in 2002 were about
5-6 USD dollars for a single room. So, upon arrival, I negotiated a
price for a room in a recommended hostel for $12. It seemed a little
expensive to me but I was too tired to care by this point. At the end
of my stay I discovered it was actually 12,000 pesos a night which
translated to less than $5.00 per night. While not the Sheridan, it was
cozy and accommodating for a lone gringo and the several small green
geckos I shared it with. All the people staying at the hostel were
great. A group of very funny Israelis, some Swiss, French, Kiwi,
Aussie, Canadian, Japanese and US folks - many of them travelling for
8-24 months. We all shared stories, thoughts, drinks and danced bad
salsa. It doesn't get any better. Maybe the world's leaders should just
chill out in SA, get drunk, dance together and chill out for a while.
Might do us all some good. :-)
Besides the hostels, there are
all kinds of places to stay from 3 dollars a night to 150 dollars a
night. 5-star or no-star... take your pick! There are quite a few
tourist attractions and tours here in Cartagena but I hope to explore
some alternative/more unique options once Maria arrives. I don't want
to give too much about Cartagena away but, highly recommend it to
anyone.
This is a very happy place... with very happy people.
Not the dark, dangerous, war-torn place the North American media
portrays. Don't get me wrong, if you're stupid you'll get what's coming
to you. You need to have your wits about you but it's really not that
bad. I've run out of time and gotta fly down to the market to pick up
some food.
Next time, I'll try to cover the security situation
(which I am trying to learn more about) and how a gringo goes about
living in a place like this day to day. And maybe a few other things.
Maybe by then I'll have a proper travelogue with photos and all
Hasta luego mis amigos
Tecito
This is the story of Te "Tecito" a trip from Cartagena, Pacific Coast, Medellin, Bogota and Villa de Leyva
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