Bicicleta Naranja

"Bicicleta Naranja" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Candy Cage

"Candy Cage" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Indigena

"Indigena" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Space Time

"Space Time" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Bogota Sentry

"Bogota Sentry" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Magdalena

"Magdalena" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

La Candalaria

"La Candelaria" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Drumming in Bogota

Orro

"Orro" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Guarda

"Guarda" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

TransMilenio

"TransMilenio" ~ Bogota, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Heading South

Bogota to San Agustin

I think I've finally settled into this trip and ready to leave Bogota. At first I really didn't know who to believe with regard to reported dangers, but now it looks like as long as I don't venture into the few areas that are know to be controlled by FARC guerillas, I should be fine. There seems to be a descrepancy as to whether it's safe to travel at night, so I may lean toward daytime travel when possible.

The hotel Aragon that the taxi driver dropped me off at seems to be a decent enough place and quiet. I thought about moving to one of the hostels but wasn't quite ready to hang out with other backpackers just yet. Something about being alone just feels better at the moment. And, the fellow here at the hotel tells me Eva Peron, Fidel Castro, and the current president of Argentina all used to live in this hotel many years ago when it as called Hotel Crillon.

Click to read more ...

Made it to San Agustin!

The all night bus turned out to be over 10 hours but wasn't too bad. Actually, it was quite comfortable had it not been for the woman who only bought one ticket for herself & her little girl who wasn't that little. When we all were trying to sleep I kept waking up to occassional jabs from feet, elbows, arms, etc.

Found a rustic hostel (if you could call it that) but it has a great view and the owners are really nice.

They keep insisting that it's safe as long as I don't go near the guerilla areas, but at the same time warn me of thieves who blow some smoke from a devil flower which knocks you out while they rob you. That's considered "safe"?! I can't remember the name of the smoke but it's close to "burramancha".

The guy is telling me that many foreigners come here and go loco snorting up cocaine. Not looking for that myself but he says it's about $5 a gram here. That sounds pretty cheap, but I wouldn't know. I'm also smelling a lot of marijuana in the air as its smoked here more than cigarettes.

There's a huge pre-colombian archeological site near here that I'm told is of the Andaquies people some 3500 before Christ. There's a lot to see so I may take a jeep with some others to cover more ground tomorrow.

It seems I can find ayahuasca here too but I don't want to obsess on it since I already did it twice in Peru & it wasn't that pleasant. May play it by ear & wait to see what Popayan feels like because I don't want to get into such a vulnerable condition in an area where cocaine use is way too prevalent. I like to consider myself adventurous while attempting to not be estupido. ;)

La Tierra Magia

"La Tierra Magia" ~ San Agustin, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Andaquies

"Andaquies" ~ San Agustin, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Picked a Fine Time to Leave Bogota

While exploring the ancient Andaquies ruins & viewing spectacular landscapes while fortunately not falling out the back over the rough terrain, I learned there had been a bomb exploded in the bus terminal I'd just left in Bogota. Five people were killed but I don't know who did it or why. The police found another bomb before it went off.

I don't have much more detail then that because I was getting information second hand from a guard listening over a transistor radio. Very sad for the victims & their families, but I can't help think that my intuition to get out of Bogota early appears to have been good information.

I don't have very good connectivity here in this town but hope to have better when I get to Popayan in a couple days.

Hasta for now.

Checking In

Having problems getting connectivity, so I will just send this quick note for now. The one place I found in this town that the wifi actually works, is closed for some reason.

Spent the day hiking around another archeological site and the town. Feeling comfortable at the cool backpacker posada I am staying at. The people are really tranquilo, and the view is very nice. I have a hammock right outside my room on a covered porch and have been relaxing a bit listening to the rain fall.

The owner of the posada, Levardo, hung out making coffee for me and telling me stories of how he spent 5 years in prison for trafficking cocaine. He actually only got 3 years but they added 2 more after he got in a fight with another inmate and stabbed him 3 times with scissors. He also showed me his entrance and exit bullet wounds he has and his unkle is a guerilla with FARC. He wanted Levardo to join too, but he decided to have a family and build a posada for backpackers.

Over coffee he also showed me the best moves if you ever get in a knife fight. He showed me the two best ways to hold the knife and the best 4 places to stab to get the most bang for your effort, and told me you just really have to be very quick about it. That is the key.

More on that and the Swiss guy who told me about a very bizarre ritual he took part in while staying in the Bolivian jungle for 4 months.

Overall, it has been quite an educational day, ie. archeology, knife fighting skills and bizarre Bolivian rituals involving an unfortunate monkey.

More later when I find real connectivity again. Should be able to upload more video, audio, photos and full text in the next few days.

Stay tuned!

Parque Pasillo

"Parque Pasillo" ~ San Agustin, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Tollhouse

"Tollhouse" ~ San Agustin, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt

Chiva

"Chiva" ~ San Agustin, Colombia (c) 2012 Skip Hunt