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Hi guys,
Colombia was an unique experience. I loved it. I found the north of the country safe and had no problems to travel around.
The trek to the lost city was incredible. La Ciudad Perdida covers 400 ha and was built between 500 and 700 AD. It was the
most important urban centre of the Tayrona Indians (the site was discovered only in 1975). To get to the city, you have to
walk for 3 days into the lush tropical jungle. It is the perfect building up for when you
reach the 1200 steps that will take you to the city, a complex system of stone buildings, inter-connected terraces and
platforms and paved footpaths. You are kind of transported to another time and culture. The group was wonderful (7 people)
and the guide was an attraction on his own right. What a character!!! Apparently, a member of the paramilitary group in Colombia
(we had to get a permission from them to get into the area). The things he told me! Not subject for an email but let us say
that after 7 days I was an expert in extra-official information! I was even
invited to be a spy for the paramilitars!
After 2 more weeks of fun around the north of the country I made my way to Bogota. In the capital, I started experiencing
the well-publicised dangerous side of Colombia: the FARC bomb that killed more than 30 people and left almost 200 injured.
I was in that area one day before. Unbelievable!! Some of you know that I have this weird connection with bombs around the
world. They kind of follow me (or should I say the other way around?!). This is the 5th time that I have a "bomb experience"
in my travels (After London, Israel, Egypt and Russia). I wonder if I would be considered a terrorism suspect if the International
Intelligence would check carefully my passport!
Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of my harsh time in Colombia. From Bogota I headed to St Agustin and Popayan,
south of the country and a well-known guerrillas zone. A beautiful area but violent and dangerous. My bus got stuck for 5
hours in a cross-shooting between military troops and the guerrillas. I even saw a soldier shot dead. Surreal. Horrible. I
did want to travel more around the south but after one week I decided to head to Ecuador.
Although my last weeks in Colombia were stressful, I really enjoyed it and would love to go back. It is such a pity that
the country and its people still suffer with this senseless violence and the total incapacity of their government to do anything
about it. Lets hope and pray this will change someday soon!
I am now in Ecuador and having an amazing time. The scenery is beautiful, with mountains and volcanoes all around. I had
fun in Otavalo and Quito and at the moment have been enjoying the hot springs and radical sports in Baños (I have already
gone rafting, biking and canyoning. WHAT A FUN!!!). I haven't decided yet if I can afford to go to Galapagos. Lets see.
Please, keep in touch.
Love and Peace
Jackie
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