Colombia - Day 6

Monday was day 6 in Colombia and the first full day in Cali after the first few days in Medellin. I spend the night at Carolina's last night and woke up to finish blogging and relaxing most of the early morning. I then made some scrambled eggs and arepa with cheese for breakfast along with coffee and orange juice.

Alejandra and Viviana came over mid morning and we hung out a little while until we were ready to leave by noon or before to head to Carolina's families finca (aka farm). As we were leaving we went to say hello to her parents at the office which is right across the road from the apartment. I had to get a pic of course since I wasn't sure if I would be seeing much more of them before I left.

We left and headed off through the city and into the mountains. We stopped at a nice place on the top of some hills for lunch. I decided to get a small portion of beans and rice since I was still full from breakfast and this is what they considered a small portion! This was also the first real chicharron I had. It was pretty good as long as I didn't think of what it was that I was eating while I ate it.

I was so full that I brought half of it home. While we relaxed and hung out I messed with my camera and tested some of the specialty settings that I never played with before. We ordered coffee and met a man who walked by and asked where we were from, who happened to be an officer in Fort Lauderdale. I assume I stuck out like sore thumb and he figured I was from the US as he was as well. There was another table of tourists at the restaurant but they appeared to be from the England area. It was so gorgeous and peaceful.

We left and headed up and down the mountains and rolling hills and through villages and in and out of clouds until about an hour later we ended up at Carolina's finca. This was no "farm" as I know. It was purely a peaceful getaway hidden from others overlooking other "farms" and hills. There were flowers that lined the walk way. Everything was very rustic and log cabin looking. The property had 2 homes - 1 large and 1 small. The small was occupied by the land keepers of the property and their 2 children. The man who lived there was responsible for making so much of the uniquely designed pieces in and around the home, the landscaping, etc as well as the new addition of a handmade waterfall.

Carolina showed us around the home and property. We sat around and talked for awhile. Alejandra decided to get a manicure and pedicure from the lady of the smaller home. Alejandra and Carolina used to come here every weekend when they both lived in Cali.

We went out to the hammocks to relax and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful area. It began to get pretty chilly and drizzled a little bit so we only stayed for an hour or so talking, laughing and taking pics.

We went back inside and relaxed some more for another hour or so and by 5pm we decided to leave. About 20 minutes after we left, we stopped at a place that Carolina knows well for snacks that they wanted me to try.

I was so full, but of course didn't refuse. We drove back and arrived by 7pm. We uploaded pics to my computer and facebook of the day. I tried to help show Viviana how to create a wiki/her own webpage for her jewelry that she sells. The 2 girls left and I stayed at Carolina's to do some work, relax, and go to bed for the evening.

Colombia - Day 5

Sunday was day 5 in Colombia. Sunday was our travel day from Medellin to Cali by bus for 8 hours to stay with Carolina.

We woke up at 6am and got ready fast, ate some fruit, and headed to the bus station. We got there a little after 7am and paid for our bus to come to Cali. It cost 82 pesos for 2 people whereas a flight would be 300 pesos easily.

The transportation station was very unique compared to what you see in the US. It was basically a large opened outdoor area with food places and counters to go buy tickets for busses, catch taxi's, rent mopeds, and take flights.

We went to eat some breakfast which was breads and coffee. We got on the bus at 8AM and left shortly after. The bus was very big with a bathroom on board. It was very comfortable with big seats that reclined and a foot rest. The driver and worker had a little boy that helped with the luggage under the bus. He was a cute little dude and loved taking our bags, putting the tag on it and giving the passenger the other piece to claim their bag later.

The bus ride was a LONG one. It took at least 8 hours to get here. The ride was windy and ups and downs with stops and increase of speeds consistently. I was incredibly light headed and not feeling well for the first hour. There was a girl in the front who ended up throwing up a few times. You could tell her and everyone else felt miserable... no talking, quiet, sleeping, etc. The bus driver as well at times would be speeding at double the limit in, out, around, up and down crazy curves thousands of feet in the air with steep drop offs etc. I was nervous at first but then just got used to it and figured they drive these buses like this everyday and leave every hour so they are experienced and know what they are doing. I just hoped that was the case with this driver and we would be safe. It turned out just fine.

We stopped half way through at a restaurant - break area. We ordered a quick lunch. I have grown to LOVE yuca. We saw many plantain trees and coffee fields in this area. We were only half way there. It was gorgeous and we were all feeling better since we were out of the windy curvy turns of the mountains that we had the first 4-5 hours of the trip. They began to play movies which were entertaining for me and I slept off and on quite abit while enjoying the scenery.

We arrived at the bus station in Cali finally after 8 LONG hours. Carolina and Fernando came to pick us up with Luciana. We jumped in the car and headed off to their place. I was so relieved to finally be here safe and sound and in one piece and off the crazy driving bus.

We arrived at their apartment and as soon as we got there, we had some fresh orange juice waiting for us. I got to play with and hold Luciana. She is such a cutie pie.

We relaxed for awhile and saw the apartment. Their place is so nice, open, clean, and well decorated. I learned that the decorations are ALL from Carolina. She painted every single one of them. She is much more talented as an artist than I ever knew.

One of their friends, Viviana, came over to hang out and go to dinner with us. She knew English well but didn't think she did. She was so nice and sweet. She helped me with Spanish and I helped her with English. We then left in 2 cars to head to the Chipichape - shopping center. There was an Exito similar to our Walmart that I went to see after dinner.

We went into the shopping center and they explained the American brands were incredibly expensive there. We found a nice quiet place to sit down with tables and chairs in a courtyard kind of place and in the middle of a few different food huts. They were so excited for me to try the many different typical foods of their area as well as I was. They ordered the food, we ate, talked, laughed, and had a great time. This was definitely the city of plastic surgery compared to Medellin. People looked more dressed up, fancy, fake as well, etc.

Their friend, Viviana, gave me her bracelet that I told her I loved. She said she makes them and she wanted me to have it from her.

We then left and went to walk around the Exito. It was interesting to see the prices and similarities and differences of their store compared to ours. I purchased a guava fruit since I have never seen a fruit of guava but have had guava jam. I also got some guava jam to bring back home. Their friend would not let me pay for it and insisted on paying. I was excited to finally use my pesos, but yet again was unable. I need to spend them before I leave though. They also wanted me to try another snack which tasted like meringue ... yum!

We went home, I caught up on my blogs and went to bed.