Colombian Days

We flew into Armenia, Colombia on Tuesday and on Friday, after three overnight cities, 3 buses, numerous taxis, and 15 hours of cumulative ride time, we crossed the border into Ecuador.

Here are some things we have encountered and learned:

1. Colombia is spectacular. The scenery that we encountered on the Panamerican highway between Popayon and Pasto was literally the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. However, the ride is not for those suffering from motion sickness or claustrophobia. Ten minutes into the ride as we are being hurled around the tiny bus, it is way too hot and I have yet to realize I can open my own window, we can´t see out the front, while I am trying not to lose my breakfast, a two-year-old a few seats in front of us loses his. Awesome, and we have 6 hours left in the trip. I am able to open my window and my situation improves dramatically. However, I cannot say the same for the two-year-old. Over the next six hours, when he wasn´t sleeping, he was throwing up.
2. The buses in Colombia were some of the nicest around. They were more like airport shuttle buses than school buses. While I believe the reason for this (as well as the numerous army posts and bunkers, and young men with machine guns on the side of the roads) is the safety issues of bus travel in Colombia, they made for very nice travel. However, also due to their smaller size and larger engine capacity, drivers were able to do incredible things with the buses. You think Nascar drivers can drive? Colombian bus drivers can drive! We were passing on mountain roads on blind corners going uphill. Think Cottonwood Pass for six hours, passing everything possible. The overall speed with which they attacked the road and curves was a tad disturbing. But we made it and so cannot complain too much.
3. The hospitality and generosity of the people in Colombia was incredible. There were so many people that were willing to help us with directions and buses and food. It made us very confident about our decision to travel through Colombia.
4. Gringos stick out like a sore thumb here. I am used to being stared at as we walk down the street or go into a store, but the way that people stare at Andy, especially small children, is hilarious. I don´t believe they see too many gringos with huge blond beards. Children stand open-mouthed at the site of him, and the spectacle generally includes pointing and or telling a nearby adult. Andy has fun with it, usually smiling or making a surprised face at them which generally elicits pure joy on their faces.

On a side note, amid the stress of crossing the Colombian border and dealing with two immigration offices, Andy and I found ourselves in the middle of a baby ferret chase. I am not sure where it came from, it seemed that it all started with a man running out of the back of one of the immigration offices behind a brown baby ferret. Despite my general objections to ferrets, Andy and I became players in the chase as we found ourselves in the direct path of the ferret. Before it was all over with there were probably 12 of us trying to stop the little animal before it ran into traffic. It made a beeline at one point, and so I am not sure if it was ever caught.

We will post pictures next time!
Lacie and Andy