My travels through South America.

Rule Number One: Don't Fall

November 27, 2007
Day 790

Besides being my failed gateway to Cocuy National Park, San Gil is quickly becoming known as the adventure capital of Colombia. The region's natural surroundings have given birth to a whole host of adventure sports, and I figured my visit wouldn't be complete without trying something fun.

I went… Read More »

The Instant Gratification Mail System of Colombia

November 26, 2007
Day 789

Back in Villa de Leyva, I spent a day buying presents for Christmas with the intention of sending them home right away. Last year most of my presents from French Guiana got stolen en route to the USA, and I really wanted to avoid repeating the bad experience. Villa… Read More »

Another Colonial Town

November 23-25, 2007
Days 786-788

It took me a whole day to get to Villa de Leyva on a series of buses from Bogotá. It still is difficult for me to get over how much time is wasted on transportation to seemingly close places in South America. Villa de Leyva was a small colonial… Read More »

Trendy Museums, Parks, and Hills

November 21-22, 2007
Days 784-785

I went to the Gold Museum only to find out that they were closed for remodeling. That was tough for me because it was my main reason for staying in Bogotá. I found out that they had moved some of their collection to another location, but when I went… Read More »

Bogotá, not Exactly Like the Movies

November 19-20, 2007
Days 782-783

I had been complaining to myself about the price of transportation in Colombia for awhile, and today was no exception. Buses cost more here than anywhere in South America other than Brazil and the Guianas, but the reason always seemed to be more than economics. Colombia is the only… Read More »

Invitation: The Jewel of the Caribbean

I'm nearing the end of my trip, but there is still one more chance for you to have an excuse to visit South America: The Carribean Coast of Colombia. Hot weather, beaches, snorkeling, scuba diving, big parties, and the beautiful colonial city of Cartagena make this region the jewel of the Caribbean. It will definitely… Read More »

Mile High Sunburn

November 17-18, 2007
Days 780-781

I went with Manisha and a friend of hers to the soccer stadium, but there was no game today despite what we had been told. Instead, we played a bit of basketball on the courts outside the stadium. Nobody wanted to play against us because Manisha (six feet tall)… Read More »

The Queen of the Symphony

November 16, 2007
Day 779

I took a walk around the center of town near my hotel today. Just about every city in Colombia has a central plaza named after Simon Bolivar, and Manizales was no exception. However, the mandatory statue in the center of the plaza depicted Bolivar having the wings and head… Read More »

Cable Plaza is not a Cable or a Plaza

November 15, 2007
Day 778

Aiana and I split ways this morning. She headed up to Bogotá to meet a friend, but I still wanted to go to Manizales, in the northern part of the coffee-growing region. It took several trips on small buses, but I eventually made it to my destination city late… Read More »

A Long Uphill Walk

November 14, 2007
Day 777

Aiana and I wanted to check out the more remote areas of the Valle de Cocora, so we went on long uphill walk today. The path was muddy from the horses digging up the soil, but it went through some amazing cloud forestRead More »