I am in love with this country.
I think that Colombia is one of the most consistently beautiful countries I have ever been to...each bus ride and each walk I take will find me with my mouth open, staring awestruck around me. It´s unreal. I did NOT take into account that Ecuador could fit into Colombia´s pocket...Colombia is so big! So its been a lot of long bus rides, but I honestly dont even mind. Ive actually been enjoying the buses, as I get to just look out the window for hours!
Surprisingly, crossing into Colombia from Ecuador was probably the easiest border ive ever encountered. I spent one night near the border, then headed up north to Popayan, a lovely colonial city. There, I learned about Tierradentro, which became my next stop. It is only reachable by long dirt roads, but was totally worth the effort. It is the base of an archaeological sight with tombs and statues, so I spent a day hiking to those, and then farther up through the mountains for the beautiful views. Tierradentro is a perfect Colombian country town...tiny, tranquil, peaceful...i loved it. It actually made me feel like I was back in the jungle a bit.
Now im in Bogotá, the capital, to enjoy museums, good food, and some really fun and awesome people. Ive really enjoyed it so far, and tomorrow I head out to the Zona Cafeteria, or Coffee zone. It is known for...shocker...coffee, and also lots of pretty hikes and scenerey. Im really looking forward to getting there! It´s been so fun to just plan my days as I go, hopping from one place to the next. It´s awesome to talk to people about a place, and then find yourself there in a few days. I only wish that I had more time to explore, there is no way that I can do everything on my Colombia wish list. But im trying to make the most of the time that I do have!
Dont believe all of the media hype from years ago about Colombia...I do not expect to be kidnapped or to become a drug mule. Not even close. I am loving every minute...the people are so friendly, the food is delish, the coffee is always flowing, and as I cannot stop repeating, the views and scenery are unrivaled.
So far, so good! Viva Colombia!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
GALAPAGOS!!
Hola! I am back on the mainland, after 8 fantastically fabulous days in the Galapagos islands. The Galapagos are unbelievable, it is the stuff that Disney movies can only dream of. I kept feeling like I was on Animal Planet.
My boat was small and we certainly felt the moving seas, but apart from one really rough night where most of us bonded over our sick bags, it wasn´t a big deal. And let me tell you, it was worth it! It´s hard to sum up everything, so just some highlights:
-snorkeling with huge, colorful, funny looking fishies, sharks, sea turtles, penguins, manta rays, crabs, etc.
-watching all of the birds, many of which would fly with our boat for hours. this of course includes the blue footed boobies...we even got to watch a mating ritual.
-playing with sea lions and fur seals! they are like the puppies of the galapagos, just so so so cute.
-incredible moonlit and starry skies from the top deck of the boat
-walks around the islands where we could get literally a meter or two from the animals. the animals are generally not scared of people, and thus, as long as you don´t scare them and you respect their space, you can get super close. amazing.
-lizards, hawks, iguanas, and other fun crawlies
I´m sure that i´m missing a ton, and I cant wait to show everyone pictures! I highly recommend this trip to anyone who can manage it, its just incredible.
Back in Quito, deciding where I want to head next. I´m thinking that it´s finally time for Colombia, and I may begin to head north as early as tomorrow! No reason to stick around the city, and i´m looking forward to getting another stamp in my passport asap.
I´ll keep everyone posted on my whereabouts!
My boat was small and we certainly felt the moving seas, but apart from one really rough night where most of us bonded over our sick bags, it wasn´t a big deal. And let me tell you, it was worth it! It´s hard to sum up everything, so just some highlights:
-snorkeling with huge, colorful, funny looking fishies, sharks, sea turtles, penguins, manta rays, crabs, etc.
-watching all of the birds, many of which would fly with our boat for hours. this of course includes the blue footed boobies...we even got to watch a mating ritual.
-playing with sea lions and fur seals! they are like the puppies of the galapagos, just so so so cute.
-incredible moonlit and starry skies from the top deck of the boat
-walks around the islands where we could get literally a meter or two from the animals. the animals are generally not scared of people, and thus, as long as you don´t scare them and you respect their space, you can get super close. amazing.
-lizards, hawks, iguanas, and other fun crawlies
I´m sure that i´m missing a ton, and I cant wait to show everyone pictures! I highly recommend this trip to anyone who can manage it, its just incredible.
Back in Quito, deciding where I want to head next. I´m thinking that it´s finally time for Colombia, and I may begin to head north as early as tomorrow! No reason to stick around the city, and i´m looking forward to getting another stamp in my passport asap.
I´ll keep everyone posted on my whereabouts!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Out of the jungle. On the move. Its´s ON.
Hola from the (sort of) real world!
Do you guys know how crazy it is to see televisions? Everyone has them! And to be able to turn on a light or charge electronics whatever time of day you want? And do you know that I havent seen rain in almost 3 full days? This world is a crazy place! And don´t even get me started on the food options... It is very strange not to be at the house, but soon it will hit me that I no longer live there. Sad and exciting all at once.
So yes. I finally managed to get myself out of the jungle. Jessie came with me and we had a delightful dinner to celebrate her birthday/my leaving at El Jardín, often listed as one of the top 10 restaurants in Ecuador, and always deemed the number one restaurant in the area. And it´s right in Puyo! It was so nice to splurge and have a STEAK. mmmm so good. Worth every penny and calorie.
Jessie and I are an old married couple and werent quite ready to handle saying goodbye, so we met for coffee the next morning before she finally kicked me out of Puyo for good. So off to Quito I went, ready to do some research on the Galapagos trip I have been dreaming of forever. AND TODAY I BOOKED IT!! Thats right, I am officially going to the Galapagos islands...on Friday! I am SO SO SO excited. For the same price, I could have purchased a small house here, or funded another month and a half in south america...but it was just too amazing to pass up. I can´t wait to play with the animals!
I´m now in Otovalo, 2-3 hours north of Quito, and known for its huge market, one of the biggest in south america. I´m not here for market day though, but just to meet up with Jeremy as he heads back to the jungle. So its 2 days in Otovalo, then back to Quito for my big trip to the islands! And i´m hoping to be in Colombia by the last week of May. Time is already just whizzing by, I can´t believe how fast its all going.
I got to my hostel here and immediately realized that I was without my only fleece jacket...super lame. It´s either on the bus or in the park, both options being totally unhelpful. Luckily, the town is renound for its alpaca goodies, so I will (yet again) be buying warm south american clothes. I always do, now i´m just glad to have an excuse!
Not sure how much internet access i´ll have from the boat, and i´m going to be staring at animals, not computers... so i´ll check in again after the 20th, when i´m back on the mainland.ç
:-)
Do you guys know how crazy it is to see televisions? Everyone has them! And to be able to turn on a light or charge electronics whatever time of day you want? And do you know that I havent seen rain in almost 3 full days? This world is a crazy place! And don´t even get me started on the food options... It is very strange not to be at the house, but soon it will hit me that I no longer live there. Sad and exciting all at once.
So yes. I finally managed to get myself out of the jungle. Jessie came with me and we had a delightful dinner to celebrate her birthday/my leaving at El Jardín, often listed as one of the top 10 restaurants in Ecuador, and always deemed the number one restaurant in the area. And it´s right in Puyo! It was so nice to splurge and have a STEAK. mmmm so good. Worth every penny and calorie.
Jessie and I are an old married couple and werent quite ready to handle saying goodbye, so we met for coffee the next morning before she finally kicked me out of Puyo for good. So off to Quito I went, ready to do some research on the Galapagos trip I have been dreaming of forever. AND TODAY I BOOKED IT!! Thats right, I am officially going to the Galapagos islands...on Friday! I am SO SO SO excited. For the same price, I could have purchased a small house here, or funded another month and a half in south america...but it was just too amazing to pass up. I can´t wait to play with the animals!
I´m now in Otovalo, 2-3 hours north of Quito, and known for its huge market, one of the biggest in south america. I´m not here for market day though, but just to meet up with Jeremy as he heads back to the jungle. So its 2 days in Otovalo, then back to Quito for my big trip to the islands! And i´m hoping to be in Colombia by the last week of May. Time is already just whizzing by, I can´t believe how fast its all going.
I got to my hostel here and immediately realized that I was without my only fleece jacket...super lame. It´s either on the bus or in the park, both options being totally unhelpful. Luckily, the town is renound for its alpaca goodies, so I will (yet again) be buying warm south american clothes. I always do, now i´m just glad to have an excuse!
Not sure how much internet access i´ll have from the boat, and i´m going to be staring at animals, not computers... so i´ll check in again after the 20th, when i´m back on the mainland.ç
:-)
Friday, May 6, 2011
Last night in the jungle...
One adventure ends, another begins.
It is my last night here in the amazon jungle, what has been my home now for the past 8 months. I´m not sure how I feel, as I have absolutely not processed it yet. In my head, i´m still making plans for next week, and thinking about what else I need to get done...I have to keep reminding myself that I won´t be here!
It is definitely bittersweet. I love living here, even with all of the challanges that come with jungle life. I will especially miss Jessie, my partner in crime here, and my dog Jim. And the amaaaazing views, the children and communities I work with, taking long jungle walks, the sounds and smells of the jungle... so much about my life here is just a once in a lifetime experience that I know I will never have again.
On the other hand, I am really excited for what comes next! (Not that I have any idea what comes next...but that´s half the fun!) I have a loose outline of what my almost 2 months of travel will look like, but i´m going to just see where one bus takes me, explore, and make my way to the next stop whenever i´m ready. I´m really looking forward to Colombia, and to seeing parts of Ecuador that I have been wanting to visit since I got here.
Saying goodbye to my kids and the friends I have made out here was really emotional, it has been a very long and draining week. I am still finishing up lots of work, hence why I am still at the house this weekend and not already on the move. Hopefully everything will be finished by tomorrow afternoon, then I have one last night in Puyo with Jessie, and then I´m out of here!
I´m leaving my Ecuador cell phone here, but I will be relatively accessible via e-mail and skype. Keep in touch, and I´ll do the same. If anyone feels like joining me for some adventures south of the border, just hop on a plane and i´ll find you. I´m hoping that a large portion of my time will be spent on the carribbean coast of Colombia, but i´m also looking forward to some volcano hiking, salsa dancing, small colonial town exploring, museum touring, ruins visiting, and coffee drinking. So there is something for everyone!!
Sending besos to everyone. I miss you all more than you know!
It is my last night here in the amazon jungle, what has been my home now for the past 8 months. I´m not sure how I feel, as I have absolutely not processed it yet. In my head, i´m still making plans for next week, and thinking about what else I need to get done...I have to keep reminding myself that I won´t be here!
It is definitely bittersweet. I love living here, even with all of the challanges that come with jungle life. I will especially miss Jessie, my partner in crime here, and my dog Jim. And the amaaaazing views, the children and communities I work with, taking long jungle walks, the sounds and smells of the jungle... so much about my life here is just a once in a lifetime experience that I know I will never have again.
On the other hand, I am really excited for what comes next! (Not that I have any idea what comes next...but that´s half the fun!) I have a loose outline of what my almost 2 months of travel will look like, but i´m going to just see where one bus takes me, explore, and make my way to the next stop whenever i´m ready. I´m really looking forward to Colombia, and to seeing parts of Ecuador that I have been wanting to visit since I got here.
Saying goodbye to my kids and the friends I have made out here was really emotional, it has been a very long and draining week. I am still finishing up lots of work, hence why I am still at the house this weekend and not already on the move. Hopefully everything will be finished by tomorrow afternoon, then I have one last night in Puyo with Jessie, and then I´m out of here!
I´m leaving my Ecuador cell phone here, but I will be relatively accessible via e-mail and skype. Keep in touch, and I´ll do the same. If anyone feels like joining me for some adventures south of the border, just hop on a plane and i´ll find you. I´m hoping that a large portion of my time will be spent on the carribbean coast of Colombia, but i´m also looking forward to some volcano hiking, salsa dancing, small colonial town exploring, museum touring, ruins visiting, and coffee drinking. So there is something for everyone!!
Sending besos to everyone. I miss you all more than you know!
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