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.
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