Andrea's parents told me a story before they left about how Dad took ill one trip to Cartagena after indulging in unknowingly tainted foods. I didn't make it that far.
Taganga, Santa Marta, illness, beaches, holidays, Colombia
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Brendon
2/5/2010
We spent the end of December, beginning of January traveling about northern Colombia. It all started here in Bucamaranga, the capital of the departamento Santander. Lonely Planet says there is "not much to do here" and "the only real reason to stop here is to break up an overland journey". They are correct.
sports, rafting, San Gil, Bucarramanga, locals, paragliding, Colombia
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Brendon
2/4/2010
The day started with waking up to the owner of our hostel arguing with a guest. "You not stay tonight. Period." A group had rented out the entire place. While we'd "reserved" our room the night before just in case we wanted to stay, we figured we might as well pack and be ready...
Riobamba, public transportation, buses, Quito
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Brendon
2/3/2010
Planning in advance, we bought our tickets 8 hours before departure time. After stashing our bags at the equipment check, we headed out sightseeing around Medellin. Our last day of "vacation", we were returning to Bogota the following morning. Except for a few bumps, our trip was an enjoyable success. Here is one of said bumps.
Medellin, public transportation, buses, assholes
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Brendon
2/1/2010
Growing older is only fun up until a certain age. As kids we quite enjoy it, why not? Regalos, cake, friends, clowns, etc. But even as we enter our teenage years we have learning how to drive, later curfews, and graduating from high school to look forward to. Past that, its 18, becoming a real adult and then...breaking the teenage barrier of 20.
drinks, birthdays, beer, girls, Bogota, The Killers, music, concerts, holidays, food, Colombia
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Brendon
11/27/2009
A couple weeks ago, our crazy Finland friend Tom came to visit. Of the many stupid, weird things Tom says or questions he asks, the only one I remember is whether or not I had ever been mugged. If you believe in jinxes, blame Tom for the following experience...
drinks, beer, Bogota, violence, locals, bums, Colombia
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Brendon
11/4/2009
continued from "Holding the Tongue"...It was 20 hours to the border and I had just enough money to pay my exit fee. This meant my dinner, breakfast and lunch were leftover crackers and a bottle of water. Nigel had graciously payed my last lunch of Chinese food the day before. By the time I arrived, much later than expected, I still had another hour to travel.
taxis, shopping, public transportation, buses, Venezuela, food, Colombia
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Brendon
10/11/2009
As we rode the bus up and out of the city on Wednesday, the oranges and browns of the bricks and mortars disappeared, replaced by the greens and yellows of the countryside. I recognized the road almost immediately as the one I bussed in on nearly 2 months ago and my mind wandered to that eventful series of days...
taxis, Salto Angel, borders, shopping, public transportation, Venezuela, Colombia
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Brendon
10/10/2009
Today marks exactly that. One year I have been "on the road". Gone from the U.S. of A. Disappeared from first world societies. In all truthiness, I am not really sure where to start writing this blog. For the past two days I've thought about what I would write on this aniversario with nothing really coming to mind then or now. So, let's just write...
about, updates
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Brendon
10/1/2009
Overcast and early, we arrived in Boa Vista to find the next bus leaving for Venezuela at 12 noon. Having read the following in the Lonely Planet, I ventured into town to take care of business:
borders, Brasil, Venezuela
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Brendon
8/28/2009
Remember the paranoia, well I half ignored it in pursuit of our bus to Boa Vista from Manaus. The Kiwi Nigel speaks fluent Portuguese and he seemed to not be in a big hurry to get to the bus station any earlier than we needed, so I didn't hurry myself as I normally do to arrive well before the scheduled departure.
Brasil, Manaus, public transportation, buses
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Brendon
8/27/2009
Having already visited Manaus, I knew it was hot, muggy, and not really full of excitement. We were interviewed on the street one night by a few school girls about why we were here, did we like it, etc. I kept my mouth shut to be nice while Alex, who actually liked the city, gave the girls an A for their assignment. I stayed inside most of the 3 recovery days, but one afternoon was spent visiting The Zoo.
villages, boats, Careiro, Brasil, Manaus, rivers, locals, Amazon, houses, animals
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Brendon
8/26/2009
After my long long long bus ride up to northern Brasil, I jumped upon a boat heading back into the Amazon. I'd not yet convinced myself I wanted to do the boat thing again, but I met up with a Kiwi and a Bloke the night I arrived in Belem so I figured what the hell, its cheaper and its good company. Six days of card playing, vodka drinking, book reading, and hammock sleeping were about to begin.
Santerem, boats, Belem, people, Brasil, public transportation, Amazon
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Brendon
8/25/2009
Maybe for the first time in my life I have actually, categorically, been stood up by a girl. The story started while visiting Salvador on a simple Saturday night at a bar/club called Borracharia. Now apparently I was the only one to find this name quite amusing out of the group in attendance. Not laughing yet? Let me explain.
beer, party, girls, Brasil, Salvador, public transportation
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Brendon
8/19/2009