The Dirt Cricket Abides

Well Thursday picked up after I finished my last journal entry. I was waiting around and drinking too much coffee and finally Greg & Christy show up at my hostel to join me for the next 3.5 weeks of my travels. What a nice pleasure it was to see them as it had been since August since we last hung out. I marveled at how my Irish friend and his girl were many shades darker than I and they were surprised at how long my mop has gotten. Yes folks the nappy dreads of the dirt cricket are impressive these days. The mullet definitely has grown and i no longer have to worry about sunburns on the nape of my neck.

Anyhow, after the Mcwangster (Greg & Christy) showed up I introduced them around the hostel and we quickly jumped to some sightseeing I wanted to get done before leaving Bogotá. So we ventured out to the Police Museum to see how Pablo Escobar had finally been defeated. I was having a blast of a time as we were looking at the Nickel Plated 9mm handguns, gold encrusted Harleys and other ridiculous displays of wealth that had been confiscated from the Cartels. As the tour progressed all of a sudden I see Christy slumping over and passing out. Greg and I had to gently bring her down to the ground and bring her back by slapping her on the face. This happened twice and was actually pretty dramatic as the Police in their dramatic looking military uniforms were all hovering around us. I knew in the back of my mind the altitude was getting to Christy but still the thoughts of an ER room in Colombia was pretty low on my list of good ideas. Fast forward and we have put her to bed and Greg and I decide drinking is a good idea.

After downing a few beers we decided to start wandering around taking in the night life. It was a true oddity as
there were 4 Americans together (Greg, myself, & 2 others we picked up before going out) wandering around La Candelaria and mixing it up with the locals. Loads of fun and some of the best damn street food and we then wandered back to the hostel.

We then left the next morning with our new friend Bridgette for the bus ride from hell! So to all of you people who keep telling me how lazy i have been with the blog keep in mind that i spent 21 hours on a bus with one stop. Oh yeah it had no air conditioning and the people all around me were snoring away. So excuse me if this hellish image i cannot possibly paint left me a little unmotivated to log on yesterday. The only thing in my mind was the beach and a fruity drink with Rum. Mission Accomplished!!!! That has dual meaning as my first intent of the trip was to hustle up to the Caribbean Coast and spend time turning my skin a very nice shade of brown. In fact my friends I am siging off now and walking down to the beach to crisp my flesh. Enjoy this picture as it is the view from my room: (that little cove down there is a beach surrounded by mountains and just an amazing Afro-Colombian culture…I’ll write more about this later)

Chirp Chrip going to sizzle my flesh

Thus far Colombia has been quite a pleasant surprise. Friendly people, relatively safe, and just simply a beautiful city to wander around. As i figure out the best way to offload my good photos (ones form the SLR) I will show why this breathtaking Colonial city should be on everyone’s list to visit.

The cost of living is quite fabulous…an average breakfast eggs & rice with a fresh glass of OJ seems to run about $1.35 US and a shockingly good dinner of Thai Curry with a beer was a hair under $4 US. The best part is that my fellow travelers are groaning about how expensive Bogotá is????
As I become more accustomed to local prices I am sure this feeling will be existent for me as well. So far each evening has wound up being lots of drinks, heavy political discussions, and future talk of where to go and where not to go. I have to remark that it is remarkably easy to meet people and make your friends for the day. Some will certainly stick and others will fade and be a part of the photo album.

So far I have visited the Gold museum and the Military museum and found them both appealing. The gold museum in particular was quite impressive and the presentation was truly world class. My only critique would be that it was overwhelming t try and see it all.

The one little touristy thing that blew me away was taking a Gondola to the top of Monte Serrate. This is an old monastery overlooking the city of Bogotá from about 1500 feet above. Just amazing is all i have to say but breathtaking because the altitude had to be over 10,000 feet and i think it was closer to 11,000.

My new friends form Seattle & Buenos Aires & I checked out an artisans market on the outskirts of the city. I had been hoping for gritty street market and instead we got super high end wealthy Colombian market with outrageously expensive prices (think only half SF standards). The craftsmanship was stunning and if i ever decide i want to furnish or clothe myself with modern Colombian chic it’s the place to go…

I’m shaking from the rocket fuel (the coffee here) and waiting for Greg and Christy to show up here…I’m marginally concerned b/c I expected them over an hour ago but I amm sure it will all work out.

Chirp Chirp

So the reality sunk in as I walked up to the Avianca counter in Miami International and realized until i flashed a perplexed look I was not going to hear English. There was a moment of panic but I decided to just smile and force my way on the plane. However, there was a fantastic moment of joy when i realized i was on flight 007! That’s right the international man of mystery was to be my guiding light. Please oh please let Pussy Galore welcome me onto the plane.

The Bond theme perpetuated as I stood in disbelief at how amazingly hot Colombian women are. They have a swagger and a style that American women just do not have (sorry friends) and i was damning myself for packing the sunglasses away b/c i wanted to stare with impunity. They carried themselves like Bond girls would…WWBD (What Would Bond Do) is now my new motto.

One thing that did strike me was the armfuls of consumer goods that the Colombians were carrying on the plane…Flat Screens, massage chairs, brand spanking new luggage filled with new clothing…just an interesting side note.

OK back to the Bond theme, as i was strolling on the plane there were 4 HUGE men in uniforms with guns and batons…umm what the fuck? So as I walked past them–glad i had no contraband–I read their badges that said something to the effect of “The Department of Extradition.” I quickly quipped “what drug lord is flying with us?” to which the glance of I can break you in half with this pinky finger sent me quickly and dutifully onto the plane. I still could not get out of the Bond mode as i was strolling onto the nicest plane I have ever been on and was dumbstruck by how beautiful the stewardesses were…is this the 60’s? I mean the women are exploited for their looks and they are still proud of their jobs! The service was amazing, I was handed a warm moist wipe before my outstanding steak dinner and wondered this is how James must have done it.

After I landed in Bogotá full paranoia came back as i had to get a taxi convert dollars to pesos but it all worked out in the end and i am now getting drunk and ending this blog

Money Penney another shot of aguardiente

Chirp Chirp