Iquitos and the Jungle

I found Iquitos to be a rather boring city.  There is really very little there.  I wallked around a little, but mostly spent my time planning my Jungle trip and finding the right guide.  In the end I found a company that seemed decent enough, and whuile I payed way too much, I signed up to do 6 days and 5 nights in the jungle with him.

We headed out the next day and were off to their lodge in the jungle.  This is kind of their base camp, aand is exactly where all other companies have their base camps.  We spent one night there before goig to a giant lake the next night to fish and camp.  From there we spent 2 nights on a different river, just hiking and fishing and whatever.  Then the final nigh we were in the lodge again.  I had a good time, but it was kind of hard and probasbly too long.  I also kind of got beat up a little, but it was fun and worth while.

From the jungle I headed to Nodau to a boat that would take 3 days and have me in the main land.  It was pretty cool.  I think the fiood was better than I had thought, and I met some nice people.  There was an Argentinian couple and an American guy.  They were all plerasent enough.  There wasn´t much to report other than some cold nighs and reading.

After the boat I headed to Chachapoyas with the American guy, although I kind of wished he hadnt joined me.  He is much more of a partier than I am, and I am not diging his company too much.  Howebver, it is nice to have someone I suppose.

The ride to iquitos

I got in to Leticia (the amazon capitol of Colombia) around 7, and immediately got a ride to the Brazilian side of the boarder and then a boat to Peru.  The whole tiney town of Santa Rosa was shut down and I got a guy who drove me to the immigration office and then to a hostel who sold me tickets to the bat to Iquitos and a room.  I am fairly sure I got ripped off, not just because they were overcharging me, but mostly because I rented a room for $7.50 and it was by far the worst room I have ever stayed in.  The sheets were filthy and I could hear the TV in the reception and the guy snoring next door.  Luckiy , it didn't last long as I had to go to the boat at 2:30am. 

The boat was long and uncomfortable, but surprisingly pretty.  It was just the river, but there were villages along the way, and some nice scenery.  The boat provided two absolutely horrific meals, and before I could count down a quick and easy 12 uncomfortable hours, I was in port.

In Iquitos I gt a nicer place to wash off the awefullness of yesterday, and talked to a guy about a jungle trip in two days.  Hopefully, this guy is ligetamate, I am meeting with him and another American tommorow to look over things for a 5ish day trip.

Bogotá

I really enjoyed Bogota.  There was a giant pedestrian o my walkway that St reached the length of the city right through the middle.  Additionally, the museums were world class (the highlights being the gold and Botero ones).  There is also, like all Colombian cities, a lookout point which had some nice views of the city which laid in the valley below.   I met a few nice people, and enjoyed there company, but mostly walked around alone during the day, and grabbed dinner with them in the evening.  Oddly the city was quite dead towards the center at night.  There was one area where the rich are that had some night life, and I went with a few people only to be pressured into drinking more than I was t and spend way more than I wanted.  The last few nights I stayed in, but I need to better watch myself going forward.  I have spent a ton on bars/clubs, and I don't even like them.

I sit in the airport now waiting for my flight to the amazon, which is delayed for five hours.  I should arrive spend the night and head out via river to the latest Peruvian amazonian city.

Cartagena and the long road that followed

I arrived in Cartagena and really instantly loved the place.  It was clean and well maintained and overall very pretty.  I immediately met these Israelis in the hostel and found out quickly that my time in Cartagena will be even more drinking.  It was nice, and they helped me a little with my banking issues in Israel .

I headed on a not cruise to playa Blanca the second day and met some girls from new York, who were pleasant enough.  The tour kind of sucked and only afforded me a short time at the beach and may have just been a waste of money, but I'm OK with it.  After the tour I grabbed some dinner with an Israeli and began to drink with them along with a guy from Alaska and another from Slovenia.

I dedicated the next day to running errands around town, and ended up hurting myself pretty badly.  My foot got all cut up and pretty bad.  So, I called it a day rather early.  Later that night there was a huge party at the hostel which was an annoyance, but it was fine.

Following that I spent the next day trying to take it easy.  I met a nice Danish guy and we had lunch and a nice day.  I had a beer at night (now becoming kind of the standard) and went to bed.

That Friday I weak up really early and was going g to take the bus to Mompos, which is a small village half way between Cartagena and Bogotá.  As it turned out the bus was full or something, but they wouldn't sell me a seat.  So, on a split second decision I jumped on a direct 24 hour but to Bogotá.  It was cramped and boring, but the scenery was pleasant and the next morning I was finally in the capitol.

So far the capitol is nice, but I am looking forward to seeing more of the city.

Medellin

Medellin was a bit weird.  I met up with Adam's friend Liam, and we shared a hotel room.  This was my first grievance.  Who stays in a hotel?  Why is a hostel not good enough?  I spent $250 on this fucking thing!  We then proceeded to go to the nicest restaurants and out DRI king each night while taking dozens of cabs from place to place because Liam was soir from too much walking.

Despite paying way too much for my time, I did like the city.  It was clean and beautiful.  The transit system was very nice, and the chairlift over the city as a part of it was cool.  I thought the gringo area was nice, and we saw plenty of expats (especially on Sunday as we watched NFL n a bar).  I also really enjoyed when on Saturday night we went out in the local area of town.  It was obviously less done up, but it was genuine.  I even enjoyed myself despite having some guys try to fleece us into buying them drinks. 

My overall impression was incredibly positive, despite spending and drinking way too much.  I really am coming to like column a and appreciate its beauty in the cities, nature, and women!