Hotel Toscana Plaza Cali

After the string of boat rides into Colombia Evan and I were both sick. If you are going to get sick, get sick in Cali Colombia. Everyone we met was incredibly sweet and helpful, especially everyone at Jovita´s Hostel. Carlos - the owner, his wife, Wilber - the salsa teacher, and Sandra would all make us Agua de Panela (a raw sugar water with lemon) and help us with anything we needed, starting off with an immediate trip to the pharmacy for Calamine lotion ...

... much flat or downhill from Armenia to Cali.<br><br>We were escorted into Cali by 3 Colombian cyclists who we met on the road. We bumbled through with our stilted Spanish (trying to explain rohloff gears was a bit of a laugh) stopped for a jugo de naranja at a stall along the way and finally made it to Cali about lunchtime. A well earned beer and (cold) shower later, we headed for the most important place in town, the supermarket. <br><br ...

... myself for the hundredth time, why the 1st of the year in Lima? Oh well, too late now. The computers were down at my window, so processing was slow! Finally, at about 10PM I was able to purchase my ticket for Ipiales for a bus that left in about an hour. I managed to get down to the gate, and waited in line for the bus. Finally, the bus arrived, and after the people got off, I got on. Ready for the next leg in the marathon south.

... get out of the vehicle. Mike says ´´they look like rock stars´´ A couple of girls run over to them to get their photo taken. I comment ´´ probably some Spanish band´´ we head off too our boarding gate not giving the rock stars another thought. As we wait in the boarding area the rock stars sit behind us. All sorts of people approaching them asking for pictures and autographs. They look familiar but I can´t place them. Mike ...

... zoo. It was surprisingly well presented and the animals had decent environments. I've got mixed feelings on zoos, but overall I really enjoyed this one. Tomorrow we head out for the much anticipated (at least by Maura) coffee growing region. Oh, and last time I left out one of my travel buddies from back home. Alana, keep up the good work in Guatemala. I'll see you soon back in Wenatchee for a brew down at McGlinns!

... town, but locals are overly worrysome... granted there were a lot of men and they did a lot of staring so in the end I was glad to leave, though it was similar in Manizales. The next day we headed up into Los Nevados de Ruiz, a national park... we drove up and then walked up a volcano to 5100 metres... and like I said there was snow and I was lacking socks and it was Freezing!! Still I warmed up to it and ploughed down the side of the mountain in the snow on my ****... I ...

... yesterdays gory event it was time to check out some beauty. Cali had a Latin America beauty contest (I'm attending purely for research purposes). Before going I had to rush to the Cali government building to try and blag a press pass (this was recommended for the festivities in Cali..getting discounts and free entry to events). All went smoothly and I walked back to the hostel with a new press card hanging round my neck. The beauty contest was held at the Intercontinental hotel so ...

... are watching you and waiting for you to mess up. Don't be flashy, don't be too paranoid, you will stand out. Just try to blend in. If someone does try to rob you, think before you react. These people are hungry, are you willing to lose your life over something insignificant? Hmmm I wonder. That's all I can think of for now. If you have any questions again email me not a problem. This trip, was in some way disappointing ...

... season was kicking off that day and courtesy of Fox Sports we watched 2 live games in our hotel: West Ham v Man City & Villa-Liverpool. Bogota at an altitude of 2600m is South America's 3rd highest capital, after La Paz & Quito. This meant it was a lot cooler than the heat we had been enjoying in Cali. We got some breakfast then wandered around La Candelaria checking out a few accomodation options. There weren't too many about so we got the bus to the northern ...

... road of the hostel) for pilate classes and a swim in the pool, dance, practice, go online, sit outside the cafes watching the world go by and enjoy the sun and just taking it easy! man, THIS is what i call a holiday!!! tonight carlos will take me and another girl from the hostel who is also having lessons with him, to a salsa club nearby (though i have already been to a salsa club called chango in juanchito the second night i arrived!).