Columbia Day Seven

Hello,



Once again we took that walk to the monastery. This time arriving just a bit before the service. One of the monks greeted us and told us that the brother who was to spend time with us was ill and had even been taken to the hospital. Another monk then took over the role of guide and friend. He took us into the kitchen and meeting rooms. He would explain in Spanish and we waited patiently for an English translation. It was quite interesting to learn some things about ordinary life in this Benedictine order. We spent quite a bit of time in the library. It was fun for Leroy and I to see how it was organized. Some books had English titles, but not many.



The service was about half an hour with beautiful singing. Knowing the words seemed not to be important for it to have an impact. After the service the four of us, along with others, were invited to share lunch with them.



We were not to talk during the meal. Much of this time one of the brothers was reading from a book, but I have no clue what it was about. All of the food was things that they had grown. We started with fresh made bread and vegetable soup and freshly squeezed fruit juice. Portions were so generous that we thought it might be the entire meal (We learned our common thoughts after the meal was over.) The bowl and bread plates were whisked away. Then a large dinner plate was placed in front of all. A salad that had a variety of vegetables in it was next followed closely by chicken thighs, and rice with gravy like sauce and a few carrots. It was all quite good. We thanked them for their hospitality and walked on home. What a treat!



Paula

Columbia Day Six

Hello,



In the morning we walked to the monastery that is about a 45 minute walk away. If Leroy had been walking alone it would probably been a 30 minute walk. It was quite pleasant with some uphill, downhill, and curves back and forth. Sometimes we walked in the shade and others we were in the sun. I am so thankful that my hat is packable and easy to bring along with my UV protection shirts. The road was used by cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and walkers. On the way home we shared it with a cow who just stepped over a fence.



The schedule for the masses had changed for the weekend, so we just missed it. The monk that our hostess knew suggested that we come back on Monday for the service that was close to noon and we should stay for lunch. That seemed like a nice plan for a day which was not yet scheduled.



In the afternoon we walked to town and got a boat ride for about 2.5 hours around this manmade lake. We got on a small boat with about five other people. The air was cool and invigorating. I was so happy that I had brought a jacket. We had one stop where there was a rudimentary museum. It did have a few interesting things, but was mostly unorganized as of yet.

In the evening we once again walked to town to go to a Thai restaurant that is owed by a USA citizen. Who knew we would find such a combination in Columbia?



Paula

Columbia Day Five

Hello,



We spent a quieter day reading, enjoying the view, eating much good food, and playing games. Leroy and I also walked into town by ourselves. Leroy, who does not know east and west, remembers the turns he takes and what he has seen. I was a little concerned about finding the street that led to our hosts’ house out in the country. But Leroy had it all figured out.



We do not really have a good picture, but this is called the painted town because many of the houses have designs painted along the bottom of them. They all looked fresh and new because they take pride in their homes.



When we were with our host we got to tour a part of the local hospital. It was certainly more colorful that I am used to seeing with many paintings on the walls.



There was a trick bike park with height and curves. It was open when so we stopped to watch what they could do. Even the smallest riders could to do more than I would be comfortable attempting on these fast moving jumps.



I am including two pictures from the town square.

Paula

Columbia Day 4 Continued

Hello,



Our next stop was to go through a park. Just what made it special, I do not know since it was closed for repairs or upkeep. We then drove off to the botanical gardens. Our driver handled the traffic with competence. I was so grateful not to be driving. I would have sweat buckets and had panic from time to time. At least there were stop lights, but many cars, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians vying for some not so large streets. At the longer stoplights there were people trying to sell things or services such as windshield washing.



At the gardens we were impressed with all of the plants that grow year round. I only have one picture from the botanical garden.

Course we had already been impressed with the fruits right from the tree. We also had a nice lunch in this area before heading off home.



On the way home the driver slowed down and opened his window. None of us knew what the problem was. In a bit he pulled off to get a good look at the side of the car. We then learned that a nail was in a rear tire. Apparently he had heard it hitting the pavement. The tire was not yet flat, but he drove on looking for a repair place. We turned off at a gas station, however that was not the real stopping place, instead we went to the far end of the lot where a large straight truck was parked with the back open. Gas stations just sell gas and other small items. This place was already working on another vehicle, but said they could take the tire repair next. When they got to it they learned it was a screw in there. No power tools to put the tire back on, just the wrench. Before we left someone else needing help came to see them. Guess the timing was just good for us.



Later we stopped at a small town on the way home. This town was moved when a large hydroelectric dam was put in creating the lake by Guatape. The museum there gave a nice display of the history of the town. After a very full day we went back to our host’s house.



Paula

Columbia Day Four

Hello,



It is so nice to travel so far and only need to change the time by one hour. Sleepiness is not overwhelming but just a little weariness, from the travel time to get there.



Today we got started early with our driver picking us up at 8:00 in the morning for a trip to Medellin. Three of us sat in the back seat. I sat in the middle and did not have a seat belt which was not a problem for others, but I was relieved to arrive back safely at the end of the day.



We drove an hour to the city and then spent some time traveling in the city of 3.7 million before we got to a district that was the center of the violence of the most violent city in the world during the 1980’ and 1990’s. Today, this area has been transformed into a vibrant neighborhood with shops and beautiful murals alongside homes. Because this neighborhood is situated on the mountain side, the city has put in six long escalators to help people going up and down. 

When we got to the top the view was quite beautiful. We did not get photos of the escalators, but you can go on line to see them. Our photos are of the surrounding area and one of the murals. This place was so clean. I saw people sweeping the sidewalk. It seems they are working hard with a sense of pride to keep the area looking good, safe, and welcoming to residents as well as tourists.

Paula

Columbia Day Three

(I forgot that it was Leroy’s birthday until we had been up about an hour. I am so not good at this stuff.)

The noisy birds were not so loud this morning, or we had already gotten used to them. Probably not? We hiked up to the road and then down into town to go to an ATM for some local cash before heading to the rock. The rock was a distance away so we took a local three wheeled taxi.

At the base you quickly feel just how high this climb will be covering 700 steps. In spite of the height, it feels quite safe as the stair railing is between you and the air. They generously painted the number of steps climbed every 25 steps, thus encouraging me to keep going. There were places to stop and rest. At the start of our trip up we were alone, but then more and more people passed us, especially much younger people. We had some water with us, but wished that we had thought to bring more. We panted a little, but not too much and we could always talk. There is a first aid station part of the way up as well as some signs with emergency numbers to call.

The view from the top was quite spectacular. There are small cafes and shops at the top. The way down is another stairway that is on the inside of the up stairway. It was tempting to set a great pace going down, but my knees started to complain so I slowed down. We caught up to a small boy and his mom and I was quite content to just let them set the pace.

We had lunch downtown and savored some local foods.

Paula

Columbia Day Two

February Hello,

Early, early in the morning roosters start crowing. The darkness certainly did not stop them from launching the day. A little later another sound almost as if there were barking dogs running around, but not quite. What could that be? It was also quite an alarm. After we were up I learned that the second noisy critter was a noisy bird called guacharaca. They seemed to spend a good bit of time calling back and forth in the morning and then again in the evening. Guacharacas are a brown bird about a foot long, measuring from tail to beak. They greeted us each morning, sometimes noisier than others.

We enjoyed breakfast on the veranda where we could look out over the valley and the neighboring mountains. After breakfast we made our first trek up to the gate at the top of the drive. By day two my calf muscles were complaining because of the serious stretch caused by the steepness.

A neighbor took us to a nearby town that had about 20,000 inhabitants. This woman also drove with skill and verve as she whipped around the curves that were on a new road for us. Later we learned that about 20 miles of this road had 130 curves. Luckily Leroy did not feel ill this morning. It was interesting to go to some of the shops there as well as the markets. We also walked out on an extension bridge.

On the drive home we turned off onto a smaller road that continued to get small until it was just two tire paths in the woods. We got out having lunch at a fish farm where we dined on fresh fish along with some vegetables. It was quite fine. You will find a picture of the house where we stayed, a market, and where we ate lunch.

I wish I knew Spanish. Leroy, who knows some found the speech too rapid to understand much of it.

Paula