Colombiaaaaaaa

 At last, at last, at last! I have made it to Colombia...Wow it`s taken me 10 years and many a long tangent, but here I am...

 and I am here with a mission.... I want to check out the country, find myself some work, and see if I really do want to live in Colombia..

 

So with all that in mind I arrived in Bogtota 6th Nov 2010..

 

I spent a few days there getting my bearings and checking out the city... Unfortunately it was a little chilly, so I didn`t stay as long as it deserves..but it`s on the list for later....

It is quite an interesting city with everything coexisting together there is a tangible undercurrent of dodginess but I think that is felt in most major cities.. I also think I will put that down to "just arrived" nerves. What I did see was cool.. there is a really strong arty vibe too..  

mmmmmm more on that when I return there I think

I didn`t stay in Bogota becuase of the cold.. but also because I was booked on a flight to Cartagena, Normally I would have gone north via the bus, enjoying sights on the way. But, Cartagena was calling me with it`s Independance festival and the Miss Colombia contest. Yes I was heading to Cartagena for Novembrinos fun!

And my god what fun it was... firstly the Caribbean sun.. mmmmmmm, then the beauty of colonial Cartagena

 

 

 

 

 

 

and thirdly the madness of the fiesta... 

  

5 days of pure partying.... I went at it hard.. and they totally out did me.. but I had fun trying to keep up....

it was a carnival atmosphere with floats, 

parades and live music. 

There was foam, 

water and flour fights coupled with masks, wigs

and lots of fun... 

I met lots of fun local people who I have remained in contact with as well as some hilarious travellers. One of which became my traveling buddy for the next few days.. Archie from Australia and wherever Archie goes so does Sideshow Bob...  

 

Archie is a Literature teacher in Melbourne and an avid Gabriel Garcia Marquez fan.. 

Unfortunately he lacks Spanish.. So, with me carving the way is my Spanglish Archie took us on a Garcia Marquez magical mystery tour, what a pair we made. We visited the beautifully unpronouncable Aracataca where Marquez was born. 

We took in all the sights from his famous "100 years of solitude" book. 

Then we went on to Mompox which was one part Marquez tour and one part recommendation from my friends in Cartagena. This little gem is situated on the famous Magdalena river 200 Km south from Cartagena. 

It is the setting for Marquez´s "Chronicle of a Death Fortold" film and was the venue of UNESCO`s Music and Cultural Heritage Festival. 

I fell in love with Mompox (I think it`s safe to say I have fallen in love with every place I have seen here in Colombia). The UNESCO event was great, I managed to get myself in amongst it 

and took part in workshops during the day 

learning how to play different instruments 

from different areas within the Spanish speaking world and of course watched and enjoyed the concerts at night.

I even managed to get an invite to the organisers dinner at the end. 

Then when all had calmed down and everyone left (Including side show and Archie) I found myself alone

and very happy in this colonial gem. 

 

 

I went on a work mission making contact with lots of schools and colleges and managed to get involved in a little group of people... the leaving / birthday party they threw me on my last night was spectacular.

There have been many floods down in Bogota which meant the river was so high and many areas were flooding 

 

which was very hard for the local people and of course made me feel helpless.

So after 2 weeks of tranquil heaven I find myself back in Cartagena.. I have come back here to enjoy my birthday. Meet up with a few friends from before and then tentatively make plans for the next few weeks. I can hear the beach calling me.. But the constant threat of rain (albeit a few hours in the afternoon) doesn`t feel very encouraging. But i will spend a few more days here mulling things over and making a few more work contacts and see what falls into place....

All that is left to say - so far - is Viva Colombia.. she is as welcoming, as fun and as perfect as I remember.... If the first month is anything to go by.. this is going to be one bloody amazing life time moment….

Yee hah!!