Amor in Colombia :)

Forgive me everyone for not keeping up with the blog.  Let me explain why....haha!  As you can see from my title, it involves love. ;)  Before leaving on my world trip I had joked with some of you about meeting a beautiful woman in Colombia.  However I was not looking for love when I arrived in this country.  But I believe God had other plans for me on the 26th of July when I met a wonderful woman named Veronica.  Thanks to Salome & Luis for inviting me to go to the river with them that day.  Veronica's smile was captivating and her personality is very outgoing.  I instantly felt a connection with her and knew that I wanted to know her more.

The winning smile :)

I was invited to stay at her place as I was staying in a hostel in Cali.  I decided one night would be ok.  Veronica laughed at me and said, "no, stay more time".  Well I did stay more time, a lot more time. haha!  I thought maybe up to a week would be fine, but God had other plans for me.  I was climbing a tree with no limbs and I saw a beautiful face below me and lost all concentration.  I fell from the tree and sprained my right ankle bad enough to stay 3 weeks longer.  Looking back on that, it was definitely a blessing as it gave us more time to get to know each other better.

My beautiful nurse :)

At the end of August I traveled up north to know the coffee region and the Caribbean coast.  Before leaving I told her I would return to Cali if we still had an interest in each other.  We stayed in contact the whole time I was gone.  I went to Medellin to hear her sing with her group Sublime and then returned with her to Cali.

I am so blessed to have someone that sings so well.  I'm only now beginning to realize how much singing she has done all her life.  Veronica is well known in the Adventist churches here in Colombia.  Here's a link to Sublime's Youtube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIv2sNYJuYvYvPBWL6IuirQ

After 2 months of getting to know each other, there was no doubt that I wanted to continue our relationship.  So I officially asked her to be my girlfriend September 25th with a custom card written in Spanish. (Thanks to her aunt Julieta for helping me edit my terrible Spanish. haha!)

We have continued to get to know each other, and every day I feel more sure that she is right for me.  She has said things that I feel the same way about, for example...she likes to travel and doesn't like living in an area more than 2 years.  She likes living in the country and enjoys exercising.  She plays the best game of ping pong of any girl I've played against.  I can go on with the list, but I prefer for my friends to meet her to see how compatible we are. 

Now we're working on her visa to the US.  It requires an interview in Bogotá.  Its been her dream to enjoy a Christmas in the US.  Please keep this in your prayers.

Some more pictures...

Dia de Amor (Valentines day here)

My Song-bird :)

Ladrilleros (Pacific coast)

And so I leave us in God's hands and He will direct our paths.  I couldn't have asked God for a better woman to be in my life. :)  I hope you all will get to meet her soon.

La Costa

Sep. 2 - 11

La Costa is the northern coast of Colombia, where the Caribbean ocean kisses the land and its always hot.  Its a very beautiful area with beautiful beaches.  Also the most northern point of land in South America which I wanted to stand on is there.  This would complete my traverse lengthwise of this big continent.

The city of Cartagena was a place I visited to walk its colonial streets in the old town section.  It is very romantic with horse drawn carriages.  Alas, I'm by myself and so I have no one special to share the place with.  However I tried to capture some of the ambiance to share with all of you.

Parque Tayrona has the most beautiful beaches and water I have seen here in Colombia.  Its one of the top vacation places that Colombians visit.

Argentina amigas

Punta Gallinas is the most northern point in the country and is surrounded by desert and sea.  Interestingly it has sand dunes and flamingos and of course beautiful sunsets.

Wild native posing ;)

I slept in colorful hammocks

northern most point of land - Punta Gallinas

Flamingos

Medellin

Aug. 28 - Sep. 2; Sep. 11 - 14

Medellin is a very nice city with friendly people, really nice weather, and good transportation.  A surprise awaited me there as a friend I made on a volunteer project 4 years ago lives there.  Daniela is one of those mischievous people that is full of life.  She has not changed at all since Guatemala, and it was nice surprise to find out that she works at the Adventist University. (UNAC)  I stayed with Veronica's cousin Jose part of the time I was there.  He's a really great guy that is in the theology program.

Medellin in the day and night

José in Sabbath school

Riding the Metro Cable with José and friends

Guatapé.  Great view from El Peñol (huge rock).  The lakes remind me of Bariloche Argentina.

700 steps to the top

With crazy Daniela ;)

I visited Medellin twice.  I continued onto the coast before returning to hear Veronica in concert and go to a friendship banquet where we all dressed up as 60s-70s.  With my long hair, I can really rock the hippie look. haha!

Sublime (They harmonize well)

I love how passionate a singer Veronica is :)

I be hippie and a cross dresser!  These clothes were Daniela's as I don't have any cool clothes like this. haha!

Salento - The Coffee Region

Aug. 25 - 27

Salento is a small pueblo in the coffee region of Colombia.  I took a bus from Cali to Armenia, and then transferred to a smaller bus that went to Salento.  I hoofed my backpack 2 klicks down the road to Yambolombia Hostel that some of my Canadian friends had recommended.  The hostel is in the country and is setup for you to enjoy being away from the Internet and things that distract you from relaxing.  No Internet made it a little difficult to communicate with Veronica, but I managed finding a place in town that had WIFI.  The owner Gabriele is a really chill guy and I enjoyed staying there. I ended up hiking with some Swiss and a Belgium guy.

Yambolombia

The View from my tent on the hill

The 1st day I saw a Coffee plantation and how the process works from the plant to coffee in your cup.  Since I don't care for coffee it was interesting to have seen a farm and how it works.  I tried to give away my cup of coffee at the end, but no one else wanted more and I definitely didn't want it.  Later we all hiked to a waterfall and had a refreshing swim there.

This bridge has seen better days, but still functions as a means for crossing the river. haha!

2nd day I spent hiking in Valle de Cacora (Wax Palm Trees).  Its very beautiful and interesting to see palm trees in the mountains.  On that hike there were a few suspension bridges I crossed.  The bridge would sway a lot if I walked quickly across it, so I kind of hopped across for maximum swinging action. haha!  I also stopped by the humming bird farm where the women that serve you a drink aren't friendly.  I forgot about the grouchy women as soon as the chickens were hopping on the table and the Possums came to visit.

I can't pass up having my picture taken with my favorite color :)

I was sad to leave Salento, but I'm trying to travel a little quicker so I have time to go back and visit Veronica before leaving the country for good.  I took a night bus to Medellin for my next big city to visit.  Supposedly its one of the better cities in Colombia and lots of people like it there because of the nice weather, good transportation, arts, beautiful women, and whatever else. :)