TravelStream™ news feed for member drpaultravel on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/drpaultravel en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:09:33 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234538400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234538400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234538400/tpod.html Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:09:33 -0500 Colombia--Part 5

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San Gil, Colombia

Let's see...
I have probably spent 4-5 months (combined) in Colombia so far.
Of that, a "disproportionate" amount has been in the small community of San Gil--located 6 hours south of Bogota along the road to the Caribbean Coast (and to Venezuela).

The question might be asked, "Why San Gil?"

As for an answer...I have many!

For climate, San Gil offers warm sunny days (but not too hot), and perfect evenings for a stroll and enjoying the park in the city center.
For population, San Gil is a small town of 50,000 with a small university.
For price, San Gil offers inexpensive accomodations and low-priced meals and services.
For adventure, San Gil offers "parapente", "torrentismo", "canotaje", "cuevas"--you can go paragliding, rappel down waterfalls, ride the rapids in kayaks (or through river rafting), go caving, etc.
For people, San Gil offers a warm-and-friendly populace--ever-so-interested in learning more about others and sharing the delights of their region.
For people, San Gil also offers a growing-number of foreigners attracted to the adventure opportunities.

All this to say...a great place to stay!

:) Paul

p.s. San Gil is known among Colombians as a "vacation getaway" location--very popular during Christmas and January holidays, and during "Semana Santa" (Holy Week preceding Easter).
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/20/1215960120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/20/1215960120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/20/1215960120/tpod.html Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:52:44 -0500 Colombia--Part 4

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Medellin, Colombia

So sorry...
It is now over 6 months later...
And, I never wrote a "travel tale" to share from this trip!

I suppose...I was too busy having fun!

In hindsight...what did I do?

From Bogota, I traveled (south) to San Gil for 1 week (relaxing and enjoying time with friends)...then backtracked to the north--passing through Bogota and Ibague enroute to Armenia (and "The Coffee Zone").

In "The Coffee Zone", I enjoyed an afternoon in Armenia before continuing on to Salento (for a 2-night stay next to a beautiful national park). Here, I did walks amidst tall palm trees and over and around velvety-green hills.
Continuing on to Pereira--I spent an afternoon with a friend--before continuing on to Manizales. Here--for 3 days--I enjoyed daytrips to a Coffee Farm, to hotsprings, and just seeing the University-town of Manizales (a beautiful setting at a somewhere higher elevation than the surrounding coffee farms).

From Manizales, I made my way around landslides and roads under repairs--to Colombia's most-beautiful city, Medellin!
Easy to stay here for extended stays, Medellin offers a great mix of wonderful weather, a friendly and oh-so-beautiful populace, and a range of restaurants and activities that might make you wonder if you are "back in The States"!

From Medellin, I made my way to a slightly-higher elevation--to Rio Negro (above Medellin--close to the airport) for a 1-night stay before flying back to the USA. I particularly-like this area--full of "fincas" (small farms) set amidst green green surroundings and imparting a slower pace lifestyle full of smiles shared with locals!

All for now!
Back to having too much fun to take time to write!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234536540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234536540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234536540/tpod.html Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:20:14 -0500 Colombia--Part 5

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Prado, Colombia

Traveling Light--Traveling with a Sense of Adventure
It often is a bonus to "travel light"--as light packs encourage spontaneous adventure!
From Ibague, on a day planned for other adventures...
I set off to the South-my destination, a large lake created by a dam-known as "Represa del Rio Prado".
I really know very little about this place (and am curious why there is no mention of it in travel guides for Colombia...)
A lake in a warm climate...seems like a nice combination to me!
So, from the bus station I make my way by shared-taxi to Purificacion--my driver explains that another shared taxi...then a "campero"--a shared Willy's Jeep/Truck-should get me there.
First connection--no problem.
Third leg of the journey comes with delays (the driver waits for a full load of passengers before departing).
I know it isn't far (5 km?)...I really could walk...but, for now, I am content to sip a not-so-cold beer...wait...then order a Hamburger...then wait...
Finally, everybody climbs aboard (or stands-hanging off the truck wherever there is a place to stand). We move out of town and uphill.
Uphill--a good sign!
The town where I have been waiting (Prado) was a lackluster place--set in a flat plain with a dirty river nearby.
Going uphill gives me hope--maybe this lake is in an attractive setting after all!
The uphill gets steeper...hey, this is going to be great!
Then...the rains come!
Not just a little but...a deluge!
We climb the last slope, make our way through a tunnel that seems to be leaking an awful lot...and emerge into what could be a lakeshore but, with all the rain, can't really see a thing.
We wait (those of us protected from the rain). Those outside the truck had no option--they raced for cover the moment we arrived.
Some more make a quick exit.
We wait.
I am next to an elderly man (he is in no hurry to vacate the covered portion of the truck).
We wait.
Finally, the flood seems to be lessening somewhat...so, I make a run for it.
In a different setting (next to a lady stirring a large pot of soup), I wait.
I can make out the lake a little...but...see mostly rain and more rain.
I wait.
This waiting is getting kinda old...so...finally, I opt to walk hurriedly in the rain in search of someplace else to wait.
I make my way to the dock--a dock with a small restaurant and protection from the rain.
I notice the military--lots of military.
A fast military boat pulls up to the dock (with large twin outboard engines). It is covered in camouflage.
I note another smaller boat, also camouflaged-with large guns mounted on the front and side.
In hindsight, I suppose I might have noted that there were as many soldiers as tourists here!
I didn't (at the time).

I did note that things weren't going to be particularly-easy. Who to ask. What to ask. I really had no plan for the remainder of the day, but I did want to see the lake and didn't want to spend much money. I begin to inquire. No, there are no scheduled boat transfers (at per person rates). I introduce myself to a man seemingly in the tour industry. He hints that it is possible to join with an already-scheduled tour group (but, even with this, the rates are very-expensive). I politely decline. Another man--another similar result. A soldier approaches me to inquire what my plans are. We chat...he understands my dilemma. No solution is offered. We chat more--he is from Barranquilla and has been in the military for 6 years (the stories he could tell!). Another soldier approaches (apparently, the senior officer). He learns that I am no risk--simply looking for ride in a boat on the lake. 20 minutes later, that same soldier approaches with an offer of a ride (I think it is the high-speed military boat--and am enthusiastic about such a trip!). No, I am mistaken...another vessel at a still-higher fee than before... I politely decline-noting that it is simply too expensive for me.

I buy a beer and sit at a table with two vacant seats (coincidentally, next to a beautiful girl!). We chat (or try to--in my broken Spanish). It appears that she (and her sister) will be waiting until 10pm (it is 2pm) to catch the local shuttle to her home on the lake. 10pm! Really? I am shocked. And, she lives on the lake? With her family? She has 4 sisters... The wheels in my head are spinning...a home on the lake...a beautiful girl...sisters too...hmm... Could I see her home? Would her family have a hammock I could sleep in for the night? Or, is there a place to stay nearby? 10pm is a long wait...but...I wouldn't mind passing the time getting to know her! (Yenny Paola).
She makes no commitment yes or no...
So, we begin playing a game of "Hangman".
Shortly, the senior officer reappears with an invitation for a ride in a boat--this time for free!
Of course, I jump at the opportunity!
But, not to lose out on the other--I ask if it is OK for the two girls to join me. Sure!
So, off we go, enjoying the lake with a family from Bogota and a boy from Medellin!!!

It is a beautiful lake (the rain has ended)--a large 40km long lake surrounded by beautiful velvety-green mountains.
The family is friendly. The 11-year old daughter is very inquisitive and fun to try to communicate with.
We stop at their "hotel"...I change into shorts and go for a swim.
Yenny Paola has a beautiful smile, by the way!
I ask her once again if it is possible to see her home--she says "yes"!
The family now is joined by another family--and we make our way to another "hotel". It seems that here, we will leave them for the night (and return to the marina where we started). The bright idea occurs to me--how much could we "charter" the boat for--to take Yenny Paola and her sister to their home (thus saving them the long wait, and saving them money too--as I would offer to pay the charter fee). It wasn't cheap but, the opportunity seemed worth it!
So, off we go to the home of Yenny Paola. I give her my cell phone to call her family--to see if it would be possible for me to visit (and possibly stay the night). We take a ½ hr jaunt through passageways and around a few islands--and make our way "home". Yes, this is a beautiful lake...but...I think I like Yenny Paola's smile more!
Onshore, up the hill to her home--it is large! 4-Stories!
Inside, we meet her mother--Ana Maria. Have yet to reach her father by phone-so, a little uncertain whether I can spend the night or not.
I go for walk with Yenny to look around. We sit and talk.
A beautiful setting. A beautiful girl!
Yes, I can stay!
Would it be OK if I just had a normal dinner? Of course!

Yenny and I go for another walk--this time with her younger sister--exploring peninsulas jutting out into the lake and ruins of homes.
I begin to see the location for what it is--an absolutely beautiful setting amidst tropical foliage. However, there is a downside--some buildings are in disrepair--reminding me that this is no place for leaving a home unattended (moisture-laden walls of mold-and-mildew).

We return to her home...and play with the dogs.
The sun sets (directly in front of her home--across the lake).
A beautiful place!

Yenny's home is actually a 4-Story Hotel under construction. My room will be on the top floor (a still more-amazing view, covered-yet-open-with-a-pleasant breeze).
I am tempted to dream of falling in love with Yenny...getting married, and running an adventurous-travelers Hostel here!

She mentions that her father will be home soon--he canoes to and from work each day!
How...National Geographic-like!
It really feels like something out of National Geographic (if you discount that this is an artificially-created lake patrolled by the military).

Dad arrives...and...mom (and the younger daughters) go down to the water to greet him.
He is tall, strong, and shirtless (things that all make sense when you realize he works on a farm all day and canoes to and from work).
He is missing one of his pinkie fingers too (ahh, a life on the farm!).

I have already been served dinner when he arrives...I rise to greet this great man.
He is neither warm nor skeptical in his response (I suppose if I had worked hard labor all day I might respond similarly).
He puts on a shirt and settles onto the couch-seemingly taking priority in spending time with his family (and me) first.
--I am struck by his gentle and patient nature, as I would assume he is famished and just wants to eat!
They chat. We chat (as best we can).
The T.V. is on.
Finally, he is served dinner. The family does not all eat at the same time--but, rather, in shifts (I was served first...the girls second).

We settle into a family night of watching T.V.
It isn't late, but Yenny asks if I am ready for bed.
I say "no"...then wonder if I should have said "yes" as she leaves the room (and doesn't return). I begin to wonder if it was a hint--maybe she wanted to spend time alone with me?
But, I have made my decision...so, I settle into watching T.V. with the father and mother.
I suppose it is more admirable this way--trying to "bond" with father and mother...
But, I can't help but wonder if Yenny and I would have had a nice night of conversation and flirting...

Finally, off to bed I go--up to the top floor.
The sounds of night are loud--the sounds of the jungle!
The hum of "chicadas" ("crickets"?). The noises of the night!

I take in the view...the setting...
Then, I return to my bed and mosquito net...
Sweet Dreams!

The morning comes early--I have set my alarm for 5am.
The sounds of morning are soft...are absent.
A beautiful start to the day!
Yenny is still asleep...her father greets me as we wait for the morning shuttle (community boat).
Onboard--he smiles as I depart.
Our little boat travels to different homes along the lake--picking up locals along the way.
It is a pleasant morning--the wispy morning clouds along the lake's surface are giving way to a sunny day.
The green mountains in full view.
Ahh...the life!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234536840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234536840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234536840/tpod.html Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:19:43 -0500 Colombia--Part 5

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Chaparral, Colombia

"el Llano del Loco" o "Loco el Llano"?
--is this the "Crazy Plain" or am I just "Plain Crazy"?-
As I set off for my daily adventure in maybe not the safest of places (Colombia), I was reminded of stories past-stories of theft and moments of fear.
--Of my friend, Nathan being "liberated" of his valuables (including shoes) while in route to a volcano in Guatemala.
--Of my first experience with fear in a foreign country-a near catastrophic encounter with a gypsy mother and child in a subway in Madrid.
--And of more recent experiences-being gassed in a train compartment in Northern Romania (and having valuables stolen); of being held up at knifepoint in the middle of the day in Amsterdam; and of the police encounter in The Ukraine-4 policeman deftly separating me from that always-important $20USD "tip" in a dark section of a city park in Kiev.
These thoughts are passing through my mind at 11:30am on a Sunday as I walk outside of Chaparral-a town in rural Colombia and the setting for a gunfight within the past week where 16 FARC guerillas (Colombian rebels) where killed by Colombian soldiers.
These thoughts are passing through my mind as I try to piece together the tidbits of Spanish-the advice and the warnings. "Peligroso" I know, means dangerous. That word was repeated more than once. The directions are seemingly-straight forward...but, you never know!
The photos look beautiful-the setting looks wonderful-and it is hot and I do want to go for a swim in a natural pool beneath a waterfall!

So, I weigh my choices.
1-Depart Chaparral immediately-thus "wasting" the extended (and uncomfortable) bus travel required to get here-and return once more to the safety and security of the city of Ibague (my familiar "home" for the past week).
2-Set off in search of these tempting waterfalls and natural pools, seeking the advice of locals along the way.
3-Create a Plan C...

Oh, what the heck, you only live once...right?
So off I go...in search of my little slice of paradise!
The directions...to the right...down 2 blocks...turn right again to the market...then...hmm...then what? Barrio Tuluny...or...Barrio Tuluni...or...some such place...
But, I have learned just a little over the years...don't simply ask one person...ask many!
The microbus to Tuluni (or Tuloni) leaves from the corner next to the market. But, another man says "muy cerca" and "caminando"-so it appears I do not need to take a bus.
Cuatro Quadras...mas abajo...y...derecha...
Hmm...I continue my journey...the 4 Blocks walking bring me downhill through a dirt and rubble-filled barrio...at the bottom, I ask still more questions...and...it looks as if I am heading in the right direction!
A little further along a mud-and-cow-poop road, I ask still more questions. "Where is this "Plain of the Crazy" I am supposed to walk across? Where is the "Charco de Apa"-the beautiful natural pool beneath the waterfalls? The first question is easily addressed-it is next to me (I just have to find a gap in the fence and make my way across a field-seemingly, private-owned land). The follow-up question draws a conversation among 3-2 don't know where it is...1 thinks he does. Good enough for me! Send me off in search of! I hear "peligroso" again and make note of it...
I make my way off across the field (keeping an eye out for bulls). Quickly lost in the maze of animal paths, I spy a boy and a girl beneath the shade of a tree. Apparently, their morning has been spent smoking marijuana-and they have no idea of the place I search for. I retrace my steps a bit...and...a man makes his way to assist me-and helps me get started in the correct direction (muchas gracias!).

The paths do seem a bit "crazy"-I suppose the animals have no interest in straight lines or sharing a common route...

The "plain" is just that-plain.

There really seems no logical reason why I should be able to find this bit of "Eden" in such a dry, flat, desolate place...

But, I continue on, nonetheless.

Maybe 20 minutes pass, and I have given up leaving clues behind (Hansel and Gretel-style). No more broken twigs...no more arrows drawn in the dirt...
Another 10 minutes and finally I see some contours that look promising-the "crazy plain" (or "plain of the crazy"?) is being swallowed by a series of small gorges (a likely place to find a river, and that wonderful-looking oasis of waterfall-and-pool).
Down the hill I go...cross one small stream...and...deeper into the gorge...

The excitement is quickly-subservient to caution (I do remember "peligroso" being repeated more than once...).
I stop to survey my surroundings.
I see nothing. I hear nothing.
I think about the possibilities...and, I remember that only a half-hour earlier, Sunday Mass was in session.
Maybe, just maybe, Sunday isn't the kind of day where mischievous youths (or worse-Guerillas) are lucking in the undergrowth or behind a tree?
It is still a little bit early-noon...
I continue on...
As I hear the sound of water-I know I am near (now I am especially careful).
Finally, I spy the pool-and-waterfall (very inviting)...and...it appears that nobody is there...
Appearances can be misleading!
Cautiously, I approach.
Still...nobody.
Hmm...
I cross to the far side...up the hill a little...
I return.
I consider where to "hide" my clothes-close by but not obvious to others...

Eventually, it is time to enjoy the spot!
And, enjoy I do!
A wonderful pool to cool off in...
Warm rocks to sit upon...
Time passes...still...nobody!

Following another submersion beneath the waterfall and a swim...I finally see something moving in the shadows above. Is it a gun? No, it is longer...moving slowly... A big gun? No...more like a...more like the trunk of a tree... And, there is the man with it, machete and all, moving slowly through the underbrush. He either does not see me...or pays me no attention and continues on his way (maybe he is illegally-logging in this area?).
In any event, I am reminded that maybe I shouldn't remain here (alone) for too much longer. It has been a refreshing dip...a fun splash in a pool...maybe I shouldn't press my luck by lingering...

So, I begin to dry off...begin to get dressed...

Shoes on, I start my ascent...

And, not more than 5 minutes into my trek, I note movement above me and to the left. 2 teenagers moving my way-not to worry though, they are simply heading to the pool (from a different path). 10 minutes further along-another teenager with a machete appears-quickly joined by 6 or 7 others. By now I am much more confident (despite his wielding a machete), and I stop to offer them directions (it seems they were wandering in confusion across the "plain of the crazy" too!

Time passes, and I do successfully retrace my steps (more-or-less) and find myself back in familiar territory-back to the cow-town of Chaparral (no worse for the wear...in fact, better!).

Another day-o-adventure in Colombia!

Wish me luck on future days!

Paul

p.s. I should note that this day and the day preceding were spent in the southern section of the Department of Tolima-an area that has been a hotbed of FARC activity in preceding years. The lake (Represa del Rio Prado) where I spent the previous night was full of military patrol boats and has been considered dangerous due to the guerilla (FARC) activity. Of course, the area outside of Chaparral made the news (noted previously). Additionally, a previous day of hiking to Hot Springs above Canon de Combeima was once considered off-limits (under the control of FARC). I say these things to share the dynamic nature of Colombia-new adventures waiting to be uncovered as lands are reclaimed for the people-safely under military control.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234529940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234529940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/21/1234529940/tpod.html Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:17:51 -0500 Colombia--Part 5

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Bogota, Colombia

Colombian Cuisine:
Colombian food lacks alot of variety, and is not spicy (like Mexican food).
Lots of rice and beans...
On the coast--alot of fried fish with arroz de coco.
The budget dining option is the daily "menu del dia"--served at various times but most popular during the 12pm-2pm lunch break. It typically includes soup, rice, vegetables plus your choice of chicken or beef. For one low price ($3 USD), you also get lemonade or another fruit drink.
Ajiaco is a popular soup (made with chicken broth, rice, potatoes, yuca, etc.)
Soncocho is another popular soup--frequently reserved for weekends and special events--take Ajiaco, give it a slightly-different seasoning, and add in some other items like corn-on-the-cob, squash, peas, etc.

As for fruit? WOW!! So many that you've never heard of--why not sample each and every!
My favorite morning activity is a walk to the local market for "ensalada de frutas"--a plate of 7 or 8 different fruit slices. Here in San Gil, it might include:
Pineapple, Mango, Papaya, Apple, Pear, Plum, Watermelon, Strawberries, grated Coconut, grated cheese, with a sweet sauce spread over it all. Tasty!

For adventurous dining, why not try mondongo (a soup made of intestines) or fried ants (actually, only the "ant butts"--hormigas culonas).

The coffee in Colombia is usually bad, it's called "tinto" and isn't what you're used to. "Export quality" coffee is used for just that, export.
Coffees:
Café Tinto (Black)--often assumed to be mixed with alot of sugar.
Perico (Coffee with a spot of milk).
Bachue (Coffee w/coffee liqueur, amaretto and dark rum).
Monserrate (Coffee served cold w/ rum and raisin ice cream, coffee liqueur, aguardiente, and expresso coffee topped with cinnamon).

As for drinking at night...
Aguardiente is the local firewater in the mountains (sugarcane Alcohol mixed with Anis).
Ron (Rum) is also popular.
The common choice is to order a bottle to share between a group of friends. Aguardiente is frequently accompanied by a jug of water (a shot of Aguardiente followed by a drink of water).
Hard alcohol is rarely mixed (with Coca Cola, etc.)
Imported spirits are double or triple the price...so, think twice before ordering your favorite!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/19/1204752480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/19/1204752480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/19/1204752480/tpod.html Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:51:27 -0500 Colombia--Parts 2 and 3!

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San Gil, Colombia

Give me a house on a hill overlooking the countryside...
Give me a place with the perfect temperature--70s (22C) by day...60s (15C) by night...
Give me a pool and a cabana...
Make it large enough for my family...for my friends...
Throw in some activities...some social games to play...
Make it large enough--groves of coffee to stroll amidst, fields of pineapple, tropical trees...
Make it a bit remote...but only a bit!

And...here you have it--the chance to "Buy Colombia"!

I came across some photos in a store--and they peaked my curiosity!
The location--between Bogota and Bucaramanga--is outside of San Gil (Santander, Colombia)--about a 15 minute drive uphill (via the road to Barichara--a beautiful whitewashed walled colonial town). The "finca" (farm) is at elevation 4500ft (1400m), about 1000ft (300m) above the university town of San Gil.
While the finca itself is much older, the current setup was constructed 2 years ago--including 4 bedrooms (sleeping available for 14 people--including one room with 3 bunk beds).
The finca covers 4 hectares--on the top of a hill--encompassing a 180 degree view.
As mentioned--coffee dominates the setting--interspersed with smaller areas devoted to pineapple and other tropical offerings.
I could go on and on...but...
Why don´t we simply look at the pictures!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/19/1202785080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/19/1202785080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/19/1202785080/tpod.html Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:16:39 -0500 Colombia--Parts 2 and 3!

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Bogota, Colombia

*In June of 2005--I visited Colombia for the first time--traveling south-to-north by bus from Ecuador (with stays in Cali and Medellin).
*In August of 2007--I enjoyed a longer stay in Colombia (3+ weeks)--in Medellin and Bogota...and some "day trips" in and around those cities.
*In February and March of 2008--Trip #3--this time for 5+ weeks!

What can I say about Colombia?
Some of the friendliest people on earth--with easy smiles, gentle ways, and a fun-loving/educated attitude!
It is nice to be with people...who in many ways...are a bit like me! Colombianas seem more similar...than different...to me!

A love of the arts...an appreciation for literary talent...
A willingness to work hard...
An appreciation for education...

And...a love of dance!

Here's hoping I learn a few salsa steps!

As for Trip #1:
--I met some great people--one of whom (Diana)--I later "introduced" (via email) to TJ (an American I traveled with in Peru and Ecuador). I loved the mountain scenery (green-velvety-powerful)...and longed to spend more time in Coffee Country (I will!). While Cali was fun for the Salsa-scene...Medellin seemed to match my ideal of the near-perfect place to live.

As for Trip #2:
--Diana and TJ got married!!!! So...I was in Medellin for the big event! Wedding-preparation and non-stop eating were the tasks-at-hand...and fun was had all along the way! Some day trips and overnight trips to "fincas" (farms) introduced me to the blissful countryside of Colombia (I would love to own a finca someday!). Maybe...just maybe...a finca could be modified a bit--to make it into a small country Inn (with views of rolling coffee plantations or a "sea of fragrant flowers" (dream with me!). Living in Colombia!!!! Trip #2 saw Bogota added to the Medellin experience...and...while Bogota is nowhere near as beautiful (or blessed with blissfully-perfect weather) as Medellin, the people I met there made the experience! And...both Medellin and Bogota offer gorgeous countryside...just over the hill from the city!
While Trip #1 introduced me to warm-friendly-and-fun people...Trip #2 brought the beginnings of deeper friendships...and...a deeper love for Colombia and all it offers!

Trip #3:
--Is just beginning! Stay tuned! Here's hoping I begin to learn the Spanish Language...because...up until this point...I have been "winging it" (no formal instruction in Spanish). I plan on taking an "intensive" Spanish Course at EAFIT University (Medellin)--the first two weeks of March...so...we'll see!

Wish me well!
Paul
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/2005colombia/1118510580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/2005colombia/1118510580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/2005colombia/1118510580/tpod.html Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:53:45 -0500 They told me to: "Wear sandals"...you are less likely to be kidnapped!

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Cali, Colombia

I am in Cali, Colombia now!

Friday night was meant for salsa and merengue...and dancing in Cali means returning home when the sun is just rising from the horizon!
Fun night numero uno here!

As for my travels from Peru north...through Ecuador and now into Colombia...
In the past 15 or 16 days...
22 hour bus ride...Lima to Pucallpa.
11 hour bus ride...Pucallpa to Huanuco.
6 hour car ride...Huanuco to La Union.
6 hour bus ride...La Union to Huarez.
6 hour bus ride...Huarez to Chimpote.
3 hour bus ride...Chimpote to Trujillo (plus 30 minute Taxi to Huanchaco).
4 hour bus ride...Trujillo to Chiclayo.
3 hour bus ride...Chiclayo to Piura.
8 hour bus ride...Piura to Loja (Ecuador)
6 hour bus ride...Loja to Cuenca.
10 hour bus ride...Cuenca to Quito.
5 hour bus ride...Quito to Tulcan, Ecuador (border with Colombia).
3 hours of border-crossing stuff...taxi rides, waiting in lines, etc.
30 minute collectivo ride...Border zone to Ipiales, Colombia
11 hour bus ride...Ipiales to Cali (with military inspection en route)

Amazing roads up next to the heavens--along the steep shoulders of green mountain giants...weaving and wandering and careening around each bend (thank God I am still alive!)...
I would say the scariest roads so far have been in Peru...but...the scariest drivers are smack dab here in Colombia!!!!

As for the places covered en route (incredibly long hours on the bus has unfortunately led to minimal time to truly savor and enjoy places along the way)...I guess I will have to return soon!

A stay in Cuenca, Ecuador...a pretty Spanish Colonial town where the weather felt more like a November chill in Seattle (than what you would expect to find near the Equator!)...
A stay in Quito, Ecuador where I met up with Poly and her 4 family members/friends--a very enjoyable night on the town with 5 very intelligent and fun girls...
A border crossing into Colombia that was painfully slow but oh-so-interesting at times...welcome to the land of military-bearing-automatic-rifles-and-patroling-each-town-sq uare-and-strategic-transportation-corridor...
And now in Cali, Colombia--a place to savor the good life, enjoy tropical fruit and empanadas--and a place to go out at night!!!!

Anyways...all for now...Medellin next! One more 9 hour bus journey to go!

Paul
p.s. Some notes on "being safe" in Colombia
*Backpackers have been traveling the country and almost never get into trouble. You need to stay away from certain areas, but generally, backpackers are not specifically targeted.
*Foreigners live in Colombia happily. You DO have to be careful traveling the country. If you work for a LARGE company (say, oil), you are more of a target. If you are just an English teacher you are not much of a target.
*Most travelers in Colombia never have problems.
*The last few years (2003, 2004, 2005), it has become safer to travel due to actions by the governement to secure the roads.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/2005colombia/1118015880/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/2005colombia/1118015880/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/2005colombia/1118015880/tpod.html Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:49:22 -0500 They told me to: "Wear sandals"...you are less likely to be kidnapped!

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Quito, Ecuador

These are the "travel warnings" I was given PRIOR to entering Colombia:

Sandals versus Shoes
--Robberies and Kidnappings--
Word on the street is...when in Colombia, wear sandals!!!
Seems that shoes are an indication of wealth...sandals the opposite!
So...while robberies may happen to any and everyone...KIDNAPPINGS usually involve people wearing shoes!

p.s. Colombia is famous for having the highest rate of kidnapping in the world.
p.s. The "Welcome Image" for this section is a "Safety Map" for Colombia. Note that the darker the red, the more unsafe it is. Also recognize that the majority of the country is in varying states of "unsafe"...

*The area at the border with Panama is considered unsafe. You can still go to Capurgana for example, but you have to go by plane (from Medellin for example) and stay in the village - don't even think of going traveling of the beaten track here, too much guerilla and paramilitaries.
*The whole region east of the mountains is pretty unsafe, except for Iquitos (at the soutern tip of Colombia).
*The road between Cali and Popayan is unsafe: do not take night buses there, there are many robberies on this road.
*Generally, in Colombia, the cities are safe, but the countryside can be unsafe. Don't travel to the countryside without getting more up-do-date information about the area where you are going.
*And remember, Colombia isn't the safest of places, but many travelers still go there. Don't be paranoid, just prepared.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/alldestinations/1124218560/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/alldestinations/1124218560/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/drpaultravel/alldestinations/1124218560/tpod.html Sat, 29 Dec 2007 12:55:38 -0500 Where's Waldo Now? Places I have been-- for a day, a week, a month...or longer!

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Denali National Park, Alaska, United States

Total = 70 Countries/Principalities/Possessions + 16 Caribbean Islands

Countries (16)
--that I have enjoyed for more than one month (bliss!)
USA (47 States--haven't been to Iowa, North Dakota or Nebraska--not in a hurry to either!)
Canada
Mexico
Honduras
Costa Rica
Colombia
Brazil
The Philippines
Thailand
Indonesia
Australia
England
Germany
Spain
Peru
Italy

Countries (18)
--where I have spent 1-4 weeks (fun!)
Haiti
Nicaragua
Argentina
Uruguay
Antarctica (continent)
Myanmar
Laos
Malaysia
Singapore
New Zealand
Scotland
The Netherlands
France
Switzerland
Austria
Romania
Ukraine
French Polynesia (Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti)

Countries/Principalities/Possessions (36) + Caribbean Islands (16)
--where I have spent 1-6 days (not long enough!)
Belize
Guatemala
Panama
Caribbean Islands (Grand Cayman, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands--St. Thomas & St. John, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Grenada, St. Croix, Dominica, Aruba, Curacao, Isla Margarita, Roatan)
Venezuela
Paraguay
Bolivia
Ecuador
American Samoa
Western Samoa
Fiji
Japan
India
Egypt
Croatia
Serbia
Kosovo
Albania
Bulgaria
Hungary
Slovakia
Greece
Malta
Monaco
The Vatican
Luxembourg
Belgium
The Azores
Portugal
Wales
Denmark
Norway
Sweden
Finland
Russia
Estonia
Poland

Not counting--Airports Only (El Salvador, South Korea)
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