Deep Inside Colombia-or Crossing The
Andes
|
Written
By:
Michael
Connelly
*** ***
| I'll never forget the look on the face of that
Colombian campesino man. My wife just explained to him in Spanish that what
I am holding under my arm is indeed a surfboard, despite the fact that we
were standing in a Colombian village that was located somewhere in the
middle of the Andes Mountains, hundreds of miles away from any ocean. After
hearing this news the man made a joke about us getting bad directions. He
then flashed a smile that revealed a mouth full of rotten teeth. Soon after
that he shook his head, tucked his hands into the front pockets of his
hand-woven Inca style poncho, turned, and moved on down the only street in
his town. When the man reached the center of town a gust of wind swept down
the street and blew the black fedora hat off his head. As I was watching him
chase after it through a cloud of dust, I thought to myself; “I gotta’ get
to the ocean.”
I was beginning to feel like a fish out of water. Surfers cannot stay away from the ocean for too long, or they start to “dry out”. As I was standing on that dirt street in that dusty little town, I realized that I had not seen the ocean in over a month. More importantly, I had not surfed in it. Halfway through a two month excursion across the country of Colombia, in South America, we were on our way to a small Caribbean beach resort on the northeastern edge of the country for a much needed break from the madness we had experienced so far on that trip. We had spent the holidays traveling from Bogotá to Medellín, and then back to Bogotá again to meet and visit with various different members of my wife’s family. There had been some mishaps along the way involving pick-pockets and miscreants. Up to that point it was not fun, and we will leave it at that. |
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Traveling on a tight budget in a foreign country is the best way to
experience the true culture of that country, but it can be quite taxing on
your soul. We could not afford plane tickets to fly all over the country, so
we had to take busses and taxis instead. Some of those bus rides took over
two days to reach our destination. We traveled through some of the most
remote areas of Colombia, changing busses and hailing taxis the whole way.
Along the way we saw some of the most beautiful scenery on earth, and
experienced some very interesting, intense, and strange things. Black magic
and evil curses are practiced in many areas of Colombia, and I cannot say
any more on that subject, for fear that you would think of me as crazy.
There are things that cannot be explained in this world, and a lot of them
happen in Colombia. There were other things that happened to us that were even more terrifying than black magic. Let’s just say it’s never a good thing to have your bus stopped in the middle of the night by rough looking men with machine guns on a winding, dark, mountainous road. That is whole other story for another time. Back to our main story; we were about four hours North of
Bucaramanga, and waiting to board yet another one of those colorful busses.
All I could think about at that moment was surfing and relaxing at this
place called Tayrona. I was told you can sit in your own thatched-hut
“choza” and watch the waves from your front porch. For those who are not
familiar with the sport of surfing, that sounds about as good as it gets for
a surfer. |
|
While we were waiting for our bus in that little
mountain village we were inundated by the usual local people trying
to sell us stuff. My wife, being a Colombian native did most of the
talking for those negotiations. These little villages along the main
roads of Colombia survive on money from people who are just passing
through, or waiting for a bus. The local indigenous people sell
everything from bags of purified water, to homemade “empanadas” (a
meat and potato filled turnover made with corn-meal dough). My wife
and I had been surviving on food and water provided by those people
for most of our trip. Amazingly, neither of us had been sick yet.
Albeit, most of this food had been delicious, you have to wonder
about the cooking and cleaning practices in a town that has no
running water. Something tells me that if the cook had a choice
between using their last bucket of water to wash their hands before
cooking, or having water to drink the next day, they’d forego the
cleanliness. I tried not to think about stuff like that on that
trip. I only thought about how much flavor those homemade items had
with their homegrown ingredients. |
the end
About the author: Michael P. Connelly is an author and filmmaker who has traveled to some very unique places around the world in search of adventures that make great stories. For photos or more information contact Michael P. Connelly at: (818) 887-9108 measeburl@aol.com or visit his website at: www.makealowbudgetmovie.com
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World travelers should remember the threat of malaria when making their plans. Estimates show that around 107 territories present a major risk for contracting the disease. These territories include: Africa, Asia (including the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East), parts of Eastern Europe, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Panama, parts of Central America -- and many islands in the South Pacific.
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On the 20th day of June in the year 1819 the steamship Savannah arrived at Liverpool from the United States. When the Savannah approached the English coast with her single stack giving forth volumes of dense black smoke, it was thought by those on shore that she was a ship on fire, and British men-of-war and revenue cutters set out to aid her. When the truth was known, consternation reigned among the English officers. They were astonished at the way the craft steamed away from them after they had rushed to assist what they thought was a ship in distress.
South AmericaFrom Patagonia in the south to Columbia and Venezuela in the north, South America offers travelers with an entire continent to explore. Visitors who travel South America can visit tremendous mountains, amazing rain forests and beautiful beaches. A trip to South America will expose travelers to various languages and cultures from both the new world of Europe to the ancient societies of South America’s indigenous people. I'll never forget the look on the face of that Colombian campesino man. My wife just explained to him in Spanish that what I am holding under my arm is indeed a surfboard, despite the fact that we were standing in a Colombian village that was located somewhere in the middle of the Andes Mountains, hundreds of miles away from any ocean. After hearing this news the man made a joke about us getting bad directions. Crossing the Andes with a surfboard. The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for practice, on a sledding hill near my house. Getting married in Chile is one of the most romantic ideas you can come up with. You should first check with the Chilean Embassy and Consulate Office for current laws and requirements. Getting married abroad is as legal and accepted as if it happened domestically as long as you adhere to the proper requirements of both the host country and your own. What attracts most visitors to the area is the many mega-resort properties that line Highway 307 from Cancun to Tulum, also referred to as the Riviera Maya. People are lured by the miles of beaches, clear turquoise sea, and the ability to leave their wallets in the hotel safe for a week for an all-inclusive Caribbean holiday. Unfortunately, if you never leave the resort, you miss out on experiencing the culture and beauty of the Mexican Coast. |
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European HighlightsFor the fortunate few, life isn’t complete without a backpacking trip through Europe. This rite of passage is believed to further the maturation process of college students, according to sociologists. Of course, others have opined that copious amounts of alcohol, sun and Amsterdam have something to do with it. Regardless of your purpose, you still have to figure out what to take.
Alsace, unlike the other French regions, is rich in French, German and Swiss influences. The region is situated among the Vosges mountains in the mid-eastern to north-eastern part of France. Alsace is the smallest of all French regions with Strasbourg bordering Germany and the Rhine River. Towards Mulhouse in the south, the region is bordered by Switzerland and the region known as Franche-Comte. ***
Prenzlau: Pristine nature, clean air and clear water, a wide variety
of nature protection and landscape conservation areas plus biosphere reserves –
the calmness and the light are the reasons why people feel so at home
here.Prenzlau an the Uckermark have all kinds of cultural and sporting
activities on offer, as well as modern accommodation options. I´d like tell you
a little bit about what´s on offer. *** Interactive maps of Europe. Austria * Belgium * Croatia * Czech Republic * Denmark * England * Finland * France * Germany * Greece * Hungary * Ireland * Italy * Montenegro * Netherlands * Norway * Poland * Portugal * Romania * Scandinavia * Scotland * Serbia * Slovenia * Spain * Sweden * Switzerland * Turkey * United Kingdom *** Bulgaria was the Slav land of Orpheus and Spartacus. It holds countless treasures, burial tombs and magnificent art and frescos reminiscent of centuries past, offering visitors the opportunity to tour numerous museums and monuments to understand Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage.. Today, culturally the Bulgarians remember the days when men tried to appease the natural elements and trembled before their power! Rich with beauty, gaiety, mystical voices, fiery dances and brightly colored costumes, Bulgarian folklore has to be seen, felt and experienced… Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday resorts on the Black Sea. Here you can enjoy great health and leisure activities at a fraction of the cost of most other tourist destinations. Warm sunshine with pleasant temperatures (around 26°C in summer) comfortable hotels, white, non-tidal beaches, water sports are but some of the attractions to the area. There is also plenty of entertainment laid on by the hotels, including night life at all the resorts. In addition, within minutes you can find yourself in picturesque mountains, ski resorts and golf courses. *** In Belgium the traffic drives on the right, drivers must be 18 and carry a valid driving licence and international driving permit, if they are foreigners. Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone and children under three must use a proper child restraint system. A warning triangle is compulsory as are headlamp converters (for left hand drive cars), dipped headlights in poor weather and a first-aid kit. Belgium has strict drunk-driving laws, only allowing 0.25mg/ml of alcohol in the blood. Fines range from €125 on-the-spot to €2,500 (if prosecuted) and up to a maximum of €10,000 (if over 0.8mg/l), a six-month sentence and five-year suspension of your licence. Speed limits are implemented rigorously with frequent radar traps and heavy on-the-spot fines. With the same dedication of the swallows returning to Capistrano, the rich and famous flock to the French Riviera every year. When you walk along the city streets in the spring, or one of the many bustling open-air fruit and vegetable markets, and you might just find yourself passing a famous movie star or elegant fashion model. The Grand Prix is held in Monaco. It ranks among the top sporting events in the world, and for good reason. The combination of Formula One cars street racing and the influx of celebrities to the playground of Europe make a heady mix for the annual event, and is viewed as part of the social calendar for the world’s top sports stars, actors, models and businessmen. The circuit takes in Casino Square and passes by the renowned Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, making it one of the most recognisable hotels in the world. Spain is such a popular destination we have created an entire directory for it. Explore Morocco * The Cultural Heritage of Vienna Switzerland greets the eye like a fairy tale. Its cities are precision built, the trains run on time and everywhere you look the natives there seem to be dancing or at least having a great time. The diversity of the German, French, Romanish, and Italian languages has formed a robust national culture. Discover everything you need to Know for the Perfect Vacation, including where to stay, where to eat and the best places to visit in Florence, Italy. Find out the answers to the Top 50 most Frequently asked Questions about Florence, Italy. Visit Places to visit in Florence Italy Joined to Bagnoregio, and to the world, through only one bridge, Civita Italy appears in an unreal isolation due to landslip series and downfall of argillaceous ground on which the entire town is built and that is still in danger. Incredible prices for all kinds of goods can be found on the Rock of Gibraltar. |
London has miles and miles of
adventure, from the distant past to the rocketing future.
The History of London
Bridge: London Bridge today is not the same London Bridge that
crossed the Thames when it was first built. Peter, a priest and chaplain of St.
Mary's of Colechurch, began the foundation of the original bridge in 1176 to
replace a wooden bridge (expensive to maintain and repeatedly burned down) that
had first been built by the Romans.
Southend-on-Sea is Essex’s largest town and its close proximity to London makes it a popular tourist destination year after year. Better still, it is located in the south east of the country in an area widely regarded as the driest part of Britain.
Southampton -- Set on the coast of Hampshire, south of Winchester, this is a place that abounds with a fascinating heritage. The Romans, who established it as a seaport, founded Southampton approximately 2,000 years ago. This was the port from which the ill-fated Titanic had set sail on her maiden voyage in 1912. Even though the place was affected during the Second World War, Southampton has grown sturdy with huge docks built for the cruise industry. The core of the modern city is now based around the City Centre.
Introducing Australia It is located in the
Southern
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lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre, has more than seven thousand beaches (more than any other country)
and covers three time zones. It is also the sixth largest country and smallest
continent on the planet.
The Gold Coast of Australia features 40km of
sandy immaculate beaches and is located 70kms south of Queensland's capital
city, Brisbane, and 947kms North the capital of New south Wales, Sydney. It
has an estimated population of 480,000 and is Australia's sixth largest
city.
Stunning Katherine Gorge, the major attraction of Nitmiluk
National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, is an absolute must see.
Katherine Gorge shows that the most impressive experiences in the Australian
Outback don't cost an arm and a leg, don't have to be shared with a kazillion
other tourists, and they don't require any special preparations.
New Zealand is a country comprised of two large islands and many smaller islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and is noted for its geographic isolation. The Tasman Sea separates Australia to the northwest; to north are Fiji and Tonga. The total area of New Zealand is 268670 sq. km, which is slightly less than Japan but a little more than the United Kingdom. The country has extensive marine resources and the fifth largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. Meaning New Zealand can claim over four million km2 or more than 15 times its land area for exploration and use of marine resources.
The History of the Balearic Islands: The Balearic Islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times, around 5000 BC, and there are many Cyclopean remains. These show the communities constructed dwellings of stone. There is evidence of primitive agriculture including the keeping of domesticated animals. Jewelry, pottery and tools appear to have been manufactured. Later they were frequently visited by Phoenician traders. In 654 BC the Carthaginians founded what is today Ibiza city. Roman occupation followed and they were in turn evicted by the Visigoths.
Samoa, southseas paradise beckons to the modern traveler.
The discovery of "the cave of John the Baptist" not far away from Jerusalem was a great journalistic drama. Archaeological news easily lights the imagination. Remember the movie series of Indiana Jones. Is it true that John the Baptist began to baptize his followers in this cave? Let us go over the facts, and find out.
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World of the Geisha: The function of the geisha is to provide men with learned but carefree conversation, song and dance, and cup after cup of sake. Unlike the common lot of prostitutes, they are expected to receive rigorous training in their gei, or "art". Their dress is elaborate and expensive, and thus their services do not come cheap. And sex is not a service, or at any rate not the foremost service, that they offer.
Taiwan: Political struggles aside, the island and people of Taiwan are worth visiting. Travelers who seek a contrast between traditional Asian culture and modern Asian development need look no farther than Taiwan to satisfy their traveling needs.
North Korea: As an independent kingdom of "Morning Calm" for much of the past thousand years, Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Many Korean village leaders still speak fluent Japanese. After the terror of World War II liberated it Korea was split almost in half on the 30th parallel with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored Communist domination.
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Thailand Holidays: Thailand means “the land of the free”. It lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and one can only experience the exotic beauty of the place when you get there. The fresh air kissing your face when you walk on the beach, the mouth watering dishes and the rush and madness in the market is something you will perhaps not get to see anywhere else.
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Africa, land of mystery. Actually, we have quite a bit of knowledge stored here on the African Continent and we want to share it with you.
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