Barranquilla!

Trip Start Jul 22, 2008
1
6
26
Trip End Jun 20, 2009


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Flag of Colombia  ,
Monday, August 4, 2008

   Well, I've finally made it to Barranquilla. First impressions - like being slapped in the face with a hot, wet sponge! The average temperature here is about 32 degrees, and it's REALLY humid! Not that I'm complaining, it's very preferable to the cold. The university has really gone to town. An official car came to pick me up at the airport, with a man holding one of those pieces of paper with my name typed on it in big letters (I felt very important!). Then the car rocks up to the entrance of the local 5 star resort! I actually laughed and said "No way!" I was expecting a hostel or maybe a Holiday Inn. The driver just looked at me uncomprehendingly and asked me to sign a form saying he'd delivered me safely. Then out came the bellboys with those gold cage things that you see in the movies (poor guys, you could see them physically straining with my suitcase). The receptionist proceeds to inform me that breakfast is included, and the uni would be stumping up for my other meals, with the exception of the alcoholic beverages (so not a problem!) Barranquilla
Barranquilla
 . As she went to get the key, I noticed the price list on the wall. One night in this place costs about the same as a months rent in a decent apartment here. In other words, way out of my price range!
    So I've not been doing a lot. Nobody from the uni has come to see me thus far, so I can only assume that they're letting me relax for the weekend before getting stuck in on Monday. So I've spent my weekend lying by the pool (except for yesterday when there was a massive thunderstorm), eating, strolling around the neighbourhood and lying in bed drinking cans of cheap local beer from the local "superdrogeria", which is, in fact more like the Co-op as opposed to a massive drugs emporium as the name would suggest. I know it's being a bit of a cheap-o since the uni is paying for everything else, but 5 star resort means 5 star bar prices, so I decided to sneak some in.
    Spent a very rock n roll Saturday night in bed, drinking said cheap beer, stuffing my face with crisps (also from the shop) and treated myself to the Hollywood glory of Blade 2, dubbed in some very unconvincing Spanish voices.
    Can't wait to get up to the uni tomorrow and really get stuck in and meet the students. They're having Oral Placement Exams next week to ensure students are in the right class, and they prefer the international teachers to do this, as we're native speakers. Can't wait to see the rest of the city as well. It's quite residential in this area. I want to go to the lively looking market I saw on the way from the airport!
    Right, think I've bored you enough with my non-happenings. Not so many photos this time, more to follow when I actually see the city, I promise!
 
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Comments

gillian11
gillian11 on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:19PM

Auntie G
Have been following your travel log . You are having a great time and what did I say treated like a princess. Princess Gracie!!!!! Ha Ha

gracie-lou
gracie-lou on Aug 9, 2008 at 01:53AM

Re: Auntie G
I know guess I have the luck of the irish!!did you get your email sorted?what's your address?mum couldn't remember when I talked to her the other night! XXX

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