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Monday 1/7/13
Monday morning, I gotta say, I felt pretty rough. Some people were going later that afternoon and I decided to go to El Rancho with them. I met them at el parque de la musica at about 2 pm. We decided to get some food and headed to the supermarket, where I bought tinned peaches (I think they were peaches) and beer. Together, Cathryn (lovely english girl who speaks amazing spanish), Sebastian (hard as nails colombian guy) James (hilarious tall gay guy), Abhi (great guy from the UK) Alina, Dan (guy from sheffield), Khaldon, Alistar and me (I've probably missed people out there) got in an absolute tin-can of a minibus and headed up into the mountains. It was packed but we're used to travelling like this now I guess. It just adds to the experience. By now it had decided to rain. The bus was absolutely tiny and the luggage was on the roof (I sensibly kept mine with me, as when we arrived everyone elses was wet.)
We wanted to get horses but there were none so we walked to el Rancho.
Now, let me tell you about the walk. It was... horrendous. The mud was thick, the mountains were steep, it was raining and it was getting dark but in the half-light the scenery was something out of avatar and it was breathtaking. I half expected the blue characters from avatar to wander over. The mountains led down into a sort of valley and there was a river at the bottom. The last 15 minutes in pitch black was the worst bit, but we stuck together and made it. We only had about 3 torches so it was tricky for all of us to be able to see and the mud was awful! I almost lost my trainers a few times and Sebastian had to help me. We reunited with the group who went earlier there.
It was freezing ( colombians had warned us it would be cold but none of us believed them, after all, 15c to a colombian is pretty cold. ) I could see my breath. I guess when you're high up in the Andes it's obviously gonna be cold.
I got some dinner, rice and spaghetti, (odd combination but it was nice) before heading to the hot springs in the absolute pitch black. I had been told that there were bears around, and managed to scare myself silly with that thought. I heard a bush rustle and it was soooo dark so I instantly assumed it was a bear and turned round sharpish. I came back and had to get someone to come with me. But god..
It was amazing.
Once everyone was in, with the torches off, it was pitch black and all you could see was the blanket of stars studded into the sky. So many stars, I've never seen anything like it. It was gorgeous. The best sky I have ever seen. The water was so warm too, and when the torches were on you could see the steam rising up above us in small coils. We all chilled and joked and I had my beer, before james decided to strip off and skinny dip. This set off a trend, particularly with the boys and before we knew it, everyone was. Including me. It was liberating and incredibly funny. Especially with the odd joke such as "oh sorry I just swam against your leg" ... "that wasn't my leg".
I had such a brilliant time. There were 3 pools, all of various temperatures, one so hot you couldn't stay in too long. I loved lying in the water and looking up at the beautiful sky, looking at shooting stars and drinking beer. It was amazing. This was one of the most amazing nights of my life.
Despite sleeping on the cold floor in a wooden hut I think this weekend was one of the best in my life too.
Tuesday 2/7/13
We woke up to the sound of a cockrel yelling that it was time to get up and I could hear the thundering waterfall in the distance. We had breakfast (after a morning swim to warm up) of eggs and arepas. Arepas are basically corn discs. Like... they must be the blandest thing I have ever eaten. I wouldn't recommend.
The boys went to a seperate waterfall, which was colossall and freezing. It was so powerful too. They ddin't last long but sebastian (mad colombian) just went for it and dunked his head in. I have no idea how he managed it. I was cold just watching. The force from the waterfall was incredible. The sound it made as it echoed off the mountainside was so powerful, like thunder.
Eventually we trekked back up the mountain (exhausting) and reached a little house where we waited for a jeep to pick us up.
Eventually one showed up. It wasn't a jeep. More of a cattle truck with a few seats. We managed to fit us and a family inside so it was quite a squeeze with all the bags. It was another funny experience. I'm so happy here.
We the got a bus back to Ibague and I got to shower all the mud off me.
- comments
Joanna (mum) Sounds an amazing experience! So glad you're having a fantastic time. Your memories will last a lifetime and hopefully so will the friendships you've made. (Bit deep that, but you know what I mean!!) xx