I arrived in Cali (Salsa dancing capital of the world) expecting only to stay a few days before heading onwards. I've spent a wonderful month here and the reason is I met someone wonderful that I connect with. It all came about through friends I met at the Maranatha church. Salome and Luis invited me to the river on Sunday. That's where I met Veronica and her Mom. Veronica's smile lights up everything around her and her laugh is contagious. I'm sucker and it didn't take much. haha! Anyway, I've ended up staying here with her family and getting to know her better as well as enjoying the love of a family. Its really nice to have a break from the hostel life. Hostels are great and one can meet amazing people there, but it can't replace the love of a family and being in a home.
Veronica, Luis, Salome, Mami :)
Angelica, Mami, Veronica
Tia Julieta (I stayed in her house)
Always joking around (I won this round of rock-paper-scissors ;)
Some of my activities in Cali have included lots of hiking around Terron Colorado where I'm staying. (barrio of Cali.) Tres Cruces and Cristo Rey.
Cali
Rio Cali
Street Art
Terron Colorado (where I stayed)
Cristo Rey (Reminds me of
Veronica's dog Range who accompanied me on all my hikes. Buen Perro :)
San Cipriano with its crazy motorcycle taxi service on the rail road tracks. This little place is worth visiting to get away from the big city of Cali. The river is crystal clear and feels great in the hot weather.
This is how you propel a moto taxi with no gas. haha!
Veronica and I took a trip to Parque del Cafe near the city of Armenia. This part of the country is the coffee growing area and is very beautiful. The park is full of amusement rides and not coffee. Here's some of the fun we had on a water ride and the bumper cars.
Veronica learning to drive. haha!
This is how Patacones (green Plantains) are made. First cut the plantain into chunks and deep fry it.
I've been on the road for 6 months now and have had lots of time to think of all kinds of things. I can definitely say that living my dream of traveling the world has been all that I expected and more. I feel like I've lived years of my life in the short months that have passed. The places I've seen and the relationships I've developed will stay with me a lifetime. The volunteer work has been rewarding and visiting Adventist churches along the way has made me feel part of the big Christian family.
I've been asked if I feel lonely or homesick. I can only think of a small moment in Sucre, Bolivia where I felt a twinge of homesickness because I was looking at some pictures from home. I stopped looking at them and felt better. haha! II think the way I deal with loneliness is to avoid the situations that put me that place. Even though I've been traveling solo more than half the time, I'm able to form quick friendships in different places. I definitely have plenty of time to myself. Probably half the time I'm out walking by myself. I don't know how many times God has protected me from danger, but I definitely think that I walk with angels by my side. I've had local people tell me God is watching over me. It makes me feel at ease to know that I walk with God. :)
As for how my travel gear is holding up, there is definitely things that have worn out.
2 pairs of socks have been worn out.
I just recently left my pack towel at a hostel. haha!
my shoes have seen better days. At least they have lots of air flow now. ;)
A pair of pants are worn out in the knee area. I'm replacing them with a multi colored bright pair of pants that will be good for the humid climate up north.
Downsizing: I realize that I can do without some things in my pack and therefore have a lighter and smaller pack. These are changes I plan to implement before I leave next year for Africa.
I will leave my rock climbing shoes
I will leave my snorkeling gear as I only brought it along because of my travel in the Caribbean countries.
I will downsize from 2 hard drives for backup to 1. The primary one will be 2 flash 64GB sticks. The other one will stay in my main pack with other things on it besides my pics & videos.
I'm debating only traveling with 2 pairs of pants instead of 3.
I will add in a small tent as that will come in handy in Africa and Europe.
Maybe I will upgrade to a REI Flash 22 pack as my Flash 18 is small for my Canon 5D Mark II camera. When I put the camera in the pack, there isn't room for much else. haha! Ahh, the trade offs for having excellent picture taking equipment.
