After two days in Cartegena I knew I had to leave for a few days before being there for two weeks. Almost everything worth going to was more than three hours away, or the bus had already left, so I settled on a touristy, blue water, white sand beach about an hour away. I met a cool Canadian on the bus, thankfully, so basically spent the first night relaxing with her.
Before heading to the beach, we walked among the countless people, looking for a place to stay. Because I had my own hammock, I got to stay or $4 a night in a little cabana among other travelers and hammocks. Unfortunately all I was paying for was a place to hang my bed - the place was pretty rustic.
Toilets were...almost toilets. They had the bowl, minus a seat or back. They somehow flushed when you poured enough water in them, and there was no provided toilet paper. Showers consisted of 1/4 bucket of water to pour over yourself. Ahh yes. So much perfection in 100 degree sweaty, salty weather. :)
The next morning I went on a $20 snorkeling your. Pretty much the most amazing thing I have ever done. I have never seen so many colorful fish in my life. We spent about an hour floating in the clear blue water, then another two hours just sitting on a private island with countless cabanas and giant party boats, one playing loud music. The makings of a perfect beach party, but no party. We were actually slightly annoyed they just left us there for two hours with no food or money to roast in the sun...but I'm not going to complain. :)
I have more photos, but unfortunately they are on my camera and I have no way to get them here. Someday...
We headed back and I actually got included in an amazing group of Argentinians and a girl from Chile - all speaking Spanish. I knew a few of the people from the mud Volcano and was pretty excited to be welcomed into their group. We sat around, them in intense laughing conversations, me trying to understand their impossibly fast lingo. They made a classic Argentinian dinner of rice and potatoes and the typical Colombian drink poured in a makeshift bottle to be shared between the eight friends.
The next morning, I almost let my fear rule me. Since my Nicaragua adventures, I've been semi paranoid while traveling. My fear tells me to stay with the tourists, but, my adventurous side isn't okay with that. So, I faced my fears and went beyond the beach. Thankfully. I found the coolest rock caves for climbing. No photos thanks to paranoia, but it was so worth it. :)
------
Today I caught a shuttle back to Cartegena and to the volunteer house where I will live for the next two weeks. Unfortunately I haven't been very social, because half the time I have been here I have had a serious head ache or stomach ache. Tonight I have both, an am pretty sad because the other voluteers are amazing and want me to come out. Unfortunately, my body doesn't care and I am stuck. So,I am spending the night resting, writing, and sleeping while they go party...
But this hammock isn't bad. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment