San Gil - te amo

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

After deciding we would leave around 11, a bunch of us checked out the streets one last time. The main tourist street had been shut off to make room for musicians and entertainment. We visited a bohemian area with some cozy narrow streets and open areas with stand up comedians, etc. We just ate a great pizza, they had some beers, and we returned to the hostel where I snuggled up in front of the fire before Declan, the irish guy, who turned out to be awesome, woke me up. We went to the terminal, stood in line for a long time, paid 45000cop for the ride to San Gil, which was supposed to leave at 1 but left at 2. It was tight, cold, despite several layers of woll, and bumpy. I slept a little bit, but woke up to see the Amazing scenery of lush green hills in the light of morning. Sleep didnt matter anymore.

The Macondo hostel, and everywhere else besides El Dorado was full, so yeah. Its okay.. 15000cop. Right now Im enjoying the backyards great music and the fact that I can still wear my shorts at eight o clock. This has been a great day. We took it pretty easy: visited the market to buy a good breakfast, slept a bit, hung out at a beautiful park called Parque El Gallineral. Entrance fee is 5000cop. I realized how much you learn about the world while travelling. Not just about the countries you visit, but the conversations you have with other travellers from all over are just so interesting and meaningful. You share stories about South America and your home countries. Like Declan, who told me a great deal about Northern Ireland, today. Its amazing. You also have to look upon your own country with a new perspective and explain different things about it and it's people.

I stayed behind in the park to relax and think. I know I need to put things behind me and stop being nervous when I'm alone. The "incident" has startled the innocent norwegian a bit more than I thought it would. I'm not easily frightened. It was really relaxing and wonderful to just be there for a while, have a coffee and a brownie, talk to some colombians and a german guy who worked for the embassy in Bogota.
Declan is sleeping now, but we'll take a stroll down to the plaza for some food. The plaza is filled with families and couples just enjoying themselves. A great atmosphere in a great, small town. We have a lot of things we want to do tomorrow, so we will be getting up early. We are going paragliding from 3000meters, which will leave us in air for around 40 minutes, and then we will go for a swim in a natural pool, perhaps visit an area up north with cable cars, etc. Can't remember the name. There's a lot of things to do here.

I'm glad I randomly went along with Declan. I noticed he was fun, but I didn't know how great this would turn out. We're doing a bit of soul searching. I'm just a bit more fortunate, since he already chose the wrong education and job, and needs to find another road in life. I'm a few years ahead. Quite interesting how we act like good friends after knowing each other one and a half day!

looking forward to tomorrow!!

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Paragliding:

We got picked up at our hostel at 9.30 in the morning, and went for a nice 1,5hour trip to our paragliding spot. It didn't give you any adrenaline, as I had hoped, but it was very pretty andchill to just hang out up there. We didn't even need a sweater. You run off the edge, circle a bit, gain as much altitude as you can, do a spin, etc. My partner's cell rang, but unlike Declan's, he didn't answer. Declan got two rides because his first one only lasted 20minutes. The whole thing cost us 170000cop. We were supposed to be back two hours earlier than we did, but we stopped for a small bite and went to the other paragliding spot to pick up someone else, which meant we kind of got an extra tour of the country side. Unfortunatly, it started to rain, so it put off our plans to go for a swim in a natural pool nearby, and a nice cable cart trip at night.

(Barichara)

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

We went to Barichara yesterday. - A really quiet village where we walked around a bit before hiding beneath the trees with two ice creams. Guess we should have tried the local dish: ants. I neeeded some time for myself and to slow down a bit further, so I doubt I was the best company for silly Declan.
The whole day was Relaxed. I got a free spanish lesson from one of the guys who work here. The two young guys who own this hostel are by the way really cool. Long time travellers with experience with many others, agree. The rest of the day, I spent lying on the ground outside, talking to two new zealanders, as day turned to a starry night. We eventually went to grab a bite at carne y carne, to try goat for the first time. It was perfectly alright. I am now ready for rafting. Declan is leaving so its just me and strangers, really. They will remain strangers />for about five minutes...

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