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Ola!! Hope you've all had a lovely festive period! With lots of good food, company and presents. Was great to FaceTime some of you on Christmas Day! And thanks for my money- it will go towards my Galápagos Islands trip probably.
Tuesday:
I was checking out this morning and moving to another hostel. I decided I would get the metro and try and walk it- I always get a real sense of achievement when I manage to navigate my way somewhere. So it was a 20 min walk to the metro, two metro lines then a 30 minute walk the other end. I had to ask a few people for directions and went wrong once. But the people are so helpful and friendly here and a sweet old man walked me the last bit to the hostel. It was a lot less pretentious than the last one and straightaway a couple of people started chatting to me. I decided to go up the cable car, as it was a lovely sunny day. So I got the metro back into town and the last part of the metro system is a cable car that takes you halfway up one of the mountains surrounding the city. The mountain is built up with slum type houses where the poor people live, so that was interesting to go over. Then I swapped to another cable car that takes you right to the top where there is a huge forest. So I walked around there a bit and got a fruit salad from a stall. Then come back down and to the hostel. A chilled evening chatting to a few different people and finishing my book- The Orphan Masters Son- I highly recommend it. It's about North Korea, quite topical given the recent Sony hacking.
Wednesday:
A good breakfast. Then I went out into town. I got the metro to the bus station and sorted a bus for 26th to Cali. Then I went to a few shops- everywhere was buzzing as people done their last minute shops. I bought a going out top as a Christmas present to myself and because I don't have any smart clothes, plus it was only about £7. An american called Katie works at the hostel and I'd been chatting to her a bit and when I got back her and the other staff were cooking a big meal which they insisted I share! I felt bad because they'd each contributed a dish, but I did wash up. And the food was excellent! They are all vegetarians too, so we had stuffed cabbage leaves, a great curry made with peanut butter and a couple of traditional Colombian dishes. Then we washed it down with piña colada. Me and Katie had planned to go out tonight. So I went to the supermarket and got a bottle of the sambuca type drink called aguardiente that is popular here to share with everyone. The hostel was a lot busier and there were lots of us sat round in the evening drinking. We all headed out about 10.30, but ended up getting separated as there was so many of us and people wanted to do different things. Several us went to a park and were drinking there amongst the Christmas lights and a varied crowd of people. It was just me and a Brazilian girl in the end. We went to my last hostel because I knew that there would be a party there and they'd know where to go out afterwards. We got chatting to lots of different people and ended up at a cool club where we danced the night away and then when it finished we went back to my last hostel with a few people and stayed up talking bulls*** til about 6.30am.
Thursday: Me and the Brazilian left and just walked around for ages. Everything eerily quiet- Christmas Day morning so everything shut. We got back to the hostel at about 9. I facetimed you guys. Then slept for a while. The local supermarket was open so I got a couple of bits. Everyone was in good spirits, a nice atmosphere, but didn't feel like Christmas at all. I watched a film with a couple of kiwis. And in the evening loads of people cooked a big feast of random dishes, but I wasn't really hungry and was knackered. A much needed good nights sleep. I'm really glad I had a good night out and certainly enjoyed my different Christmas.
Friday:
Checked out and got a taxi to the bus terminal. In a panic I realised I'd chucked away my bus ticket when I was sorting stuff yesterday. With the help of a nice Colombian guy who translated for me to the bus people, they were able to just print me another ticket. Everything open today, don't think many countries do Boxing Day. My bus was the best I've had for a while- TVs in each seat and big, comfortable chairs.
I'd booked a hostel in Cali, but then got an email this morning saying sorry but they were actually full. So quickly found another one- hardly any available as it is this big carnival there at the moment.
Bus took over 10 hours. Arrived in Cali about 7.30pm. I got a taxi, but he didn't know the address of my hostel. So he was stopping and asking other taxi drivers. I must admit I was probably the most scared I have been in South America- something just didn't seem right. My limitations in Spanish became apparent as I couldn't really communicate with the driver to find out what was happening. The traffic was bad and when we finally arrived to the road it was meant to be on we couldn't find it! It was like a comedy sketch and most surreal, but I felt better as it become apparent that he was really trying to help me. He was stopping along the road asking various people, who didn't seem to know. A couple of taxi drivers told us to follow them as they drove around trying to find it. Then one of them was on his phone using google maps and all sorts of things- he even had me sending whatsapp messages to his mate who spoke English. The next thing they'd stopped a couple of policemen and we were all stood in the middle of this street looking at the address is been given. The policemen told us to follow them and after a short drive round we found it, more by luck than anything- the road number system here is crazy! I'd been in the taxi for well over an hour and although the taxi driver was now my friend and said I only had to pay him £1.50, I was so pleased we'd made it I gave him over a tenner. The hostel was ok- it's new and far from the centre of town, but well equipped and clean. There were three Canadian girls and an american guy here, so I chatted to them- we started watching a film but it was crap.
Saturday:
Got up and had breakfast- fresh passionfruit. It was a hot day, so I laid by the pool for a while- the others left but two Belgian guys had arrived late and when they were ready I got a taxi with them into the main town. There is this festival that goes from 25th-30th December with different events each day. Today included a celebration of the Caribbean culture in one of the plazas, as Cali is known for it's ethnic diversity. So we headed there! It wasn't as amazing as I thought, I only come to cali for this festival. But it was ok. We walked around some stalls, a stage with black people singing and preaching. Then we walked through more of the old town- colonial buildings, etc. I left them and went back to the plaza where I got a traditional dinner, which to be fair was amazing! Really good fish soup and then a lovely bit of fish for the main. I walked a little more before getting a taxi back- id made a few notes to make sure we found the hostel! The hostel has a big pool, so it was nice to go for a swim. I hear there's been snow at home- a slight contrast!
There is a big concert here tonight with Enrique Iglaseus and stuff, but it's not cheap and no one in the hostel to go with- shame I couldn't have got a better one near the centre. But I'm leaving tomorrow morning anyway.
Observations: Colombia has the most police I have ever seen, but they are all male and young- they have to do it as national service type thing I think. Colombian men are the most handsome in South America. The woman are the most vain- bum implants are apparently very common here with many girls getting it as an 18th birthday present from their fathers?! Taxi drivers do not know their own cities and obviously don't need to pass any sort of test.
That's it for now. So, take care and enjoy the lead up to new year!
- comments
Mum Hello my lovely, how horrible to have felt so scared in the taxi but I have to admit to actually laughing when I imagined a convey of various taxis and police cars finally delivering you to your hostel! (I know this wasn't exactly accurate but as you say something out of a comedy sketch)! It was lovely to see you on Facetime on Christmas Day even if you were a little groggy! ha ha! I think you chose a good Christmas to miss, as you know I had the dreaded sickness bug Christmas day and only managed half a glass of bucks fizz, half a Christmas dinner,(twice-once down,once up) and after struggling through, finally had to admit defeat at 10pm. Felt a bit better Boxing Day but not great again on Saturday, then Benny decided to join the party, after a few trips up to visit the bathroom he was joined by Sophie and it became a free for all on who could get to the bathroom first! No news of casualties from the Lloyd household but could just be a matter of time!! Umm bum implants....it is my birthday soon, maybe I'll speak to Grandad! Not sure where you're headed sweetheart but hope it's a nice hostel with nice people in a nice location! Love you lots xx
Auntie vic No sickness news from this household yet but I had to go to sleep at 10 last night after I got mums text informing me that Sophie was singing down the porcelain phone as I then begun to have imaginary symptoms!!! Agree with mum about horrible you feeling scared but an Alex convoy did amuse me. We haven't had snow but they have up north. All good here popping in town today. Ian's out with snowy later and I'm ironing so im all ready for back to work tomorrow. Love you xxx
Alex It's me again!! Quick update: a Swiss guy turned up at the hostel just after I blogged and he was really nice. Then a colombian girl, Edna, who lives and works here told us about a big salsa party in town tonight that she was going to and invited us along. So me, the two Belgian guys, the Swiss and her got a taxi there. And it was great- made my stop on Cali totally worthwhile! It was in a big park/plaza area and it was set up with benches and food/drink stalls and a big stage, etc. we met two of Edna's friends there and joined them- they were really cool. Cali is the salsa capital of South America and they had lots of live music and there were 1000s of people and a great atmosphere! People were just up and dancing everywhere. It wasn't long before Edna's friends had me up dancing- they all reckoned I was a natural and I think I got the hang if salsa. We shared a couple of buckets of beer and left about 12.30. Wow, I'm sorry to hear you were properly ill! Doesn't sound much fun- not being able to enjoy the big dinner! Oh and I missed out in the blog about Katie making us homemade facemasks- all good fun! Off to Popayan shortly! Xx
Av Ohhh fun update xxx salsa queen xx
Grandad Alex and Maggie Happy New Year Alex! Hope 2015 is a good year for you. Been busy busy busy over this festive period but a good time had by all. Not had time to read all your news but will sit down at week-end and catch up with your adventures properly, in the meantime enjoy any festivities where you are - talk to you soon - love and hugs Grandad and Maggie xx
Mum Happy New Year sweetheart, hope you a starting 2015 somewhere nice! Love you lots xx
Dad Happy New Year Alex. We'll be in bed when you reach midnight. Going to Trevor's (Hello Ladees!) for a couple of hours from 8pm. Had great walk along Felixstowe prom with Alice and Monty this afternoon with Ian and Vicky having I'm sure great fun in London for a show and evening with Debbie and Hughie. Mum now off until Monday. Going to Needham Market football with Daniel and perhaps Zac tomorrow and plan is to spend day with Dan, Claire and boys on Friday - probably a drive somewhere. Great at football last night - big crowd, good seats right behind the goal and team played professionally and are on a roll. Great atmosphere with 27,000. Pint in Cardinal Wolsey with Mark Boyton joining us then a curry across the road. Home at 12.45am. Two great days with Dan, Claire and boys before today. Sophie and Benny gone home today- will miss them. And been well below freezing (two pairs of socks, thermal vest and gloves for football) last two nights, but warming up a bit from now on. Enjoy and 'speak' again in 2015 x
Lloyds and dohertys Happy new year darling love auntie Vic uncle Ian auntie Debbie and uncle Ian. Thought warhorse was the best theatre I have ever seen. Hope 2015 is the best ever. Love you xxxx
Lloyds and dohertys Oops meant uncle Hughie xxx
Auntie vic Hello lovely. Warhorse was amazing you were right. Had a lovely time at hotel Dohertys even had chocolates on our pillows!!! Very spoilt. Look forward to see what your next adventures bring. Happy 2015 our little traveller xxxx love you xxx ps monty enjoyed his holiday camp with the Kings but his back in boot camp now xx
Paul A very Happy & Prosperous New Year to all the Cantwell family. Just got back from the Peak District and catching up with the blog, Alex. What a wonderful guy that Cali taxi driver was - he and the others certainly help to refresh our oft damaged faith in the human race. Edna is such a surprising a Columbian name and I only hope she had a brother called Ernest or something! Anyway, glad to hear that all's well and lookinmg forward to the next installment!
Mandy Happy New Year Paul, best wishes for 2015.
Auntie vic Happy new year Paul. Oh Al had a lovely time today shopping for mummas birthday. And then bought a tap for our kitchen! Living the dream cos I've found a sparkley worktop!! Imagine and it fits the theme. Ian's birthday Monday so in town tomorrow again as apparently a tap isn't a birthday pressie?? It's a pucker tap and all. Love you xxx