We had calle de arte "street of art" right in our neighbourhood. The streets were full ! So many vendors, performances, people ! As a side note: I couldn´t find any natural things in here. They didn´t even hear about them. For ex. my shampoo finished, I went into the store to get it, so I asked for natural, and they adviced me herbal essences ! So I´m off of my healthy life style :(( I even drink coke ! But in this calle de arte, most of the vendors were natural ! I was jumping up and down from joy :)) I even got a cream out of marijuana and cocaine ! I was very tempted to think very hard if anything hurts so I could try it out ... but nope :( :)))
So our hostel owner wanted to do a comercial of our hostel, and asked a few people if they´d like ot dance in our dance studio so that it could be filmed for TV. I wasn´t in the hostel at that time, so I didn´t have a chance to volunteer :( But all the guys and girls got dressed in fancy, shiny, colorful, super tight and embarrasing costumes :) First it was supposed to be in a dance studio, then they´re like, nahhh, lets go on the street just beside the hostel, then ... well ... lets go a bit further. Oh you should see their faces. ofcourse the pix will be posted shortly :))
break .... GEOFF IS AWSOME !!!
p.s. he just told me to say that... ofcorse he´s awsome!! i´m getting a massage right now, so I had to write it :))
So anywho ... they danced a bit on the street, and then somebody just grabbed them and pushed them onto the stage ! Eva was completely shocked, trembling, but she didn´t fall though :)) "keep on smiling, I repeat ... just keep on smiling" :))
------------------
Went to San Cepriano on the weekend. It´s a little village of 400 people 3 hours from Cali. They´re all from African descent. And it´s the only village that doesn´t have police or military presence. The city regulates itself. There was some guy who wanted to sell drugs to the tourists, and the local people beat him up and threw him out. There were too many police checks on the way to count, but we didn´t get stopped not even ones, which was cool, since I didn´t take a passport with me. The way there was really cool. All the road went through the mountains. And we went from 35 degree heat, to chilli 18 degrees, to a complete jungle with rain. All in 2.5 hours! They don´t have a road that goes to the village, but they have a railway without a train. The local people designed this trasportation system of a block of wood attached to a motorcycle that goes on the rails. It´s called brujitas ... or the little witches, because it makes this whistling, sqeeeking sounds when it moves ! It rains there ALL THE TIME ! I have no idea how the people dry their cloths. While we were on the brujitas, the rain started, we got completely soaked, even the rain jacket didn´t help. The cloths, the shoes, the bags, everything inside the bag, completely wet ! But it was tons of fun ! We talked to a guy in the hostel, and we knew that there is a hotel in there, so Eva is like ... what! just 1 hotel??? But after getting there, it was changed to "Wow, there is a hotel in here"! :)) In the village itself there is only 1 muddy road with broken houses made out of wood. In Canada it will definitely not pass any ispections ! It looks like it will fall down any minute, but it´s in use one way or another. The nature is really beautiful in there. Lots of birds and butterflies. We were a group of 20 people, and it was somebody´s birthday. So we had lunch and dinner and were playing and singing to the guitar. In the eve, wanted to go to the "nightclub" which was closed. But they saw our group, and said ... oh well, we´ll open it for you, but just for a little bit ... until 5 AM !!! :))
The next morning, we went on a hike to some waterfalls. It was really cool ! The whole road was in a jungle, and we were walking all the time in mud, crossing the rivers a bunch of times! And later on we went tubing on the river. Very relaxing and extremely beautiful ! Overall very cool trip !
Me and Eva will be leaving Cali on Friday and gonna go north. It´s very very sad, and it seems like we want to find just about any excuse to stay longer. The hostel, the people in the hostel, so friendly, and a bunch of fun ! Couch surfing people. There is never a time to get bored or dissapointed with absolutely anything. So maybe we´ll do a loop and come back to Cali for a little bit more time ... we´ll see.
Pix will be posted tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Random
- We heard so many stories about taxies, and that you should lock the doors, and always write down the license plate. so we were all going on the taxi to the market and we were standing on the red light, and some guy on a motor bike parked beside me looks at me, says something and opens the door!!!! .... and then closed it. Apperantly my door wasn't closed! Of course it was nothing, but I swear my heart just stopped, heart is racing, I can't say anything, just stearing in 1 spot. It took a good minute to come back to myself. Alex was laughing, and all I heard was a sound of Eva's door locking.
- We have a few musician friends, so went to see one of them record a song. It was such a cool experience, like in the movies. Dark room, a bunch of equipment. No wonder why the songs on CDs sound so good. They record the same thing like 10 times, cut stuff out, copy paste the voice, magnify it, delete unpurities. And I got the chance to jump in and give my opinions which actually counted, and the song and words were changed :))
- Had a dinner at Alex's place with a few university kids. Alex made some thai food which was amazing. It was funny because we were eating in the room surrounded by the paintings of the creepy artist, so i was walking around the table trying to find a spot where I wouldn't throw up looking at some naked chicks in inviting poses :S But the coolest thing was that the minute we decided that we finished, all the local guys immediately got up and started cleaning while the girls were sitting and not even thinking about moving :) so they took all the plates to the kitchen, washed them, and cut some papaya for dessert! I love Colombian culture ! Seems to suit me ! hahaha :)))
- From 35 to 20 in 10 minutes ! We went to some village up in the mountains to try the famous hot chocolate with cheese. They put cheese into everything in here! It sounds better than it is though :( I got really dissapointed with Colombain cuisine. The food is not that great in here, actually worse than "not great" ... not good at all ! I don't like anything except all the fresh fruits. And if I want to eat something descent, I cook it myself ! So the hot chocolate didn't taste chocolaty at all, felt like quick dissolved hot chocolate powder :( But after that we went for a walk on some unknown road, and it turned out to be amazing! It was such a jungle with a bunch of birds and wildlife, so many flowers and the air was cool and clean. We all just completely relaxed. Everything was so nice and peaceful until the guard dog appeared out of nowhere, and barked at us like crazy for the longest time. All I could think of is just breath deeply, remain calm, and walk away sloooowwwlllyyyyyy ... How many times did I say that I don't like dogs ... that's exactly why !
- Salsa festival arrived to Cali ... like we didn't have enough salsa before! So now we get up at 8:30 in the morning, go to 2 hour workshops, then there are more workshops in the afternoon, we also have salsa group classed in the hostel, and after all of that we go out at night to dance some more salsa !!! I mean, I love salsa, but not 24/7! I also helped some guys in the hostel with their private lessons (cause they needed a girl), so I think I'm "salsa'd out" :) Well, at least I got some massage in exchange :)) A few days ago, I was listening to US and Russian music for like 3 hours, I guess tried to get salsa out of my head :) It's so noticable in here how I miss just the most regular things, it seems like I jump on them. Like music in English, chocolate ( I eat like the cheapest/low quality chocolate ever, and I find it to be just the best !!) Supply and demand at work :) ... oh yes, and penuts, something that I've never even looked at before :)
- Soooooo .... we went to a Maian ceremony yesterday ! It sounds so cool right ?! Well it is pretty cool for the first hour ! And the remaining 5 I just couldn't find a place to sit, oh my butt !! :))Shuruga bachanga!!! Ish kapi ishi bumbi ish !!!! Barara KURA !! :)) And like that over and over again for the 20 energies that Maian belive exist! There were a lot of sweets and alcohol, candles, rice, and they were all sacrificied to the fire :(( The funnest part was jumping over the fire to get the energy from it :) There were ofcourse some very nice parts and thoughts, like we should always feel happy that we're alive, because at any moment we can die, and we have this gift which most of us don't cherish. And the world that we see and interpret, is only our interpretaion, so people are not bad or they don't make us happy, rather we make a choice to feel happy because of them, and we make a choice to see the negative sides in them. And all people perfect as they are. They have their own life experiences that made them who they are, so we shouldn't judge anybody, but rather accept everybody. And that we should live our lives for our enjoyment and pleasure, because there is no reason to be unhappy. We have everything we need. We have food and water, and trees, our loved ones, cloths, work, health ... but all we can concentrate on is things that we're lacking. Oh I wish I had this job, or I wish I had that car, but why??? We have everything we need already. We live only once and it's magical. We should find balance and harmony in everything that we do. As I said, the ideas were nice, but it was way to streched out.
- We have a few musician friends, so went to see one of them record a song. It was such a cool experience, like in the movies. Dark room, a bunch of equipment. No wonder why the songs on CDs sound so good. They record the same thing like 10 times, cut stuff out, copy paste the voice, magnify it, delete unpurities. And I got the chance to jump in and give my opinions which actually counted, and the song and words were changed :))
- Had a dinner at Alex's place with a few university kids. Alex made some thai food which was amazing. It was funny because we were eating in the room surrounded by the paintings of the creepy artist, so i was walking around the table trying to find a spot where I wouldn't throw up looking at some naked chicks in inviting poses :S But the coolest thing was that the minute we decided that we finished, all the local guys immediately got up and started cleaning while the girls were sitting and not even thinking about moving :) so they took all the plates to the kitchen, washed them, and cut some papaya for dessert! I love Colombian culture ! Seems to suit me ! hahaha :)))
- From 35 to 20 in 10 minutes ! We went to some village up in the mountains to try the famous hot chocolate with cheese. They put cheese into everything in here! It sounds better than it is though :( I got really dissapointed with Colombain cuisine. The food is not that great in here, actually worse than "not great" ... not good at all ! I don't like anything except all the fresh fruits. And if I want to eat something descent, I cook it myself ! So the hot chocolate didn't taste chocolaty at all, felt like quick dissolved hot chocolate powder :( But after that we went for a walk on some unknown road, and it turned out to be amazing! It was such a jungle with a bunch of birds and wildlife, so many flowers and the air was cool and clean. We all just completely relaxed. Everything was so nice and peaceful until the guard dog appeared out of nowhere, and barked at us like crazy for the longest time. All I could think of is just breath deeply, remain calm, and walk away sloooowwwlllyyyyyy ... How many times did I say that I don't like dogs ... that's exactly why !
- Salsa festival arrived to Cali ... like we didn't have enough salsa before! So now we get up at 8:30 in the morning, go to 2 hour workshops, then there are more workshops in the afternoon, we also have salsa group classed in the hostel, and after all of that we go out at night to dance some more salsa !!! I mean, I love salsa, but not 24/7! I also helped some guys in the hostel with their private lessons (cause they needed a girl), so I think I'm "salsa'd out" :) Well, at least I got some massage in exchange :)) A few days ago, I was listening to US and Russian music for like 3 hours, I guess tried to get salsa out of my head :) It's so noticable in here how I miss just the most regular things, it seems like I jump on them. Like music in English, chocolate ( I eat like the cheapest/low quality chocolate ever, and I find it to be just the best !!) Supply and demand at work :) ... oh yes, and penuts, something that I've never even looked at before :)
- Soooooo .... we went to a Maian ceremony yesterday ! It sounds so cool right ?! Well it is pretty cool for the first hour ! And the remaining 5 I just couldn't find a place to sit, oh my butt !! :))Shuruga bachanga!!! Ish kapi ishi bumbi ish !!!! Barara KURA !! :)) And like that over and over again for the 20 energies that Maian belive exist! There were a lot of sweets and alcohol, candles, rice, and they were all sacrificied to the fire :(( The funnest part was jumping over the fire to get the energy from it :) There were ofcourse some very nice parts and thoughts, like we should always feel happy that we're alive, because at any moment we can die, and we have this gift which most of us don't cherish. And the world that we see and interpret, is only our interpretaion, so people are not bad or they don't make us happy, rather we make a choice to feel happy because of them, and we make a choice to see the negative sides in them. And all people perfect as they are. They have their own life experiences that made them who they are, so we shouldn't judge anybody, but rather accept everybody. And that we should live our lives for our enjoyment and pleasure, because there is no reason to be unhappy. We have everything we need. We have food and water, and trees, our loved ones, cloths, work, health ... but all we can concentrate on is things that we're lacking. Oh I wish I had this job, or I wish I had that car, but why??? We have everything we need already. We live only once and it's magical. We should find balance and harmony in everything that we do. As I said, the ideas were nice, but it was way to streched out.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Indian Reserve
A few interesting things on the way there:
- Saw a man on a bicycle holding a guy driving a scooter going 60 km/hr.
- A bunch of stores in the bus terminal only serve through bars that cover the door
- Tried coffee with salt ... and no , not by mistake :) still left to try hot chocolate with cheese :)
- Buses don't have bus stops, so anyone can get in or get out anywhere you like, just signal to the driver!
- Somehow 9 people fit into a car with 6 seats :) AND with huge bags and no trunk ! People here should complete for the guiness book of records, they seem to have a natural talant to fit into small spaces :)
It was a little bit scary to drive up to the mountain. There are no roads,no light, and we just got some car off the street to drive us there. When we got to the gate, there was a bunch of Indian soldiers with sticks ordering us to get out, and it took a few good minutes to search everybody, check the bags, the car, and shine their flash light in our faces. Later on when I remembered it, it wasn't that bad, and as we were explained they just try to protect their land from the government who tries to actively take it away. And they constantly fight for their rights. So it's either they die in the fight or begging in the streets of the city.
The whole celebration was very fun ! There were 3000 people, very nice music, which reminded me of Ireland folk songs. Everybody was dancing, running around, or forming humagous circles! There was alcohol, not very strong, made of sugar cane and some food, mainly potatoes and bananas. There was a huge line for the alcohol, and no line for food :))) Of course I didn't drink any. But it felt like you don't need any alcohol to be happy, since every person there couldn't stop smiling, dancing, playing some instrument, and telling stories.
They have 2 interesting believes. 1 is that when you drink, you should spill some of the alcohol on the ground, i.e. to give some to the devil. because devil is your friend, and you don't want to go to hell when you die. So you also keeping him happy by getting him drunk.
And another one, is when you drink, you should also splash some alcohol around for some godess, so she'll protect you, and keep you from getting drunk. Let me tell you that the guy who told us about it, probably splashed too little alcohol, cause the goddess definitely didn't help him :))
Overall, everything was very nice, as Alex said that is was very pure, with nobody wearing masks, and not pretending. There was a feeling of union, freedom and joy.
At night we barely slept, it was too cold for me, I could feel the cold spread through my ribs while i was shivering, felt every single rock on the ground ... by back still hurts in a few places, woke up at 7 because it was way too hot, and it took us 3 hours to get home. So today it wasn't surprising that I woke up sick. But I'm feeling alright, and although I missed 2 events :( i'm still planning to go to the jazz festival in the evening ! :))
- Saw a man on a bicycle holding a guy driving a scooter going 60 km/hr.
- A bunch of stores in the bus terminal only serve through bars that cover the door
- Tried coffee with salt ... and no , not by mistake :) still left to try hot chocolate with cheese :)
- Buses don't have bus stops, so anyone can get in or get out anywhere you like, just signal to the driver!
- Somehow 9 people fit into a car with 6 seats :) AND with huge bags and no trunk ! People here should complete for the guiness book of records, they seem to have a natural talant to fit into small spaces :)
It was a little bit scary to drive up to the mountain. There are no roads,no light, and we just got some car off the street to drive us there. When we got to the gate, there was a bunch of Indian soldiers with sticks ordering us to get out, and it took a few good minutes to search everybody, check the bags, the car, and shine their flash light in our faces. Later on when I remembered it, it wasn't that bad, and as we were explained they just try to protect their land from the government who tries to actively take it away. And they constantly fight for their rights. So it's either they die in the fight or begging in the streets of the city.
The whole celebration was very fun ! There were 3000 people, very nice music, which reminded me of Ireland folk songs. Everybody was dancing, running around, or forming humagous circles! There was alcohol, not very strong, made of sugar cane and some food, mainly potatoes and bananas. There was a huge line for the alcohol, and no line for food :))) Of course I didn't drink any. But it felt like you don't need any alcohol to be happy, since every person there couldn't stop smiling, dancing, playing some instrument, and telling stories.
They have 2 interesting believes. 1 is that when you drink, you should spill some of the alcohol on the ground, i.e. to give some to the devil. because devil is your friend, and you don't want to go to hell when you die. So you also keeping him happy by getting him drunk.
And another one, is when you drink, you should also splash some alcohol around for some godess, so she'll protect you, and keep you from getting drunk. Let me tell you that the guy who told us about it, probably splashed too little alcohol, cause the goddess definitely didn't help him :))
Overall, everything was very nice, as Alex said that is was very pure, with nobody wearing masks, and not pretending. There was a feeling of union, freedom and joy.
At night we barely slept, it was too cold for me, I could feel the cold spread through my ribs while i was shivering, felt every single rock on the ground ... by back still hurts in a few places, woke up at 7 because it was way too hot, and it took us 3 hours to get home. So today it wasn't surprising that I woke up sick. But I'm feeling alright, and although I missed 2 events :( i'm still planning to go to the jazz festival in the evening ! :))
Friday, September 4, 2009
can't remember anything
These 2 days were fun ! We went with all the hostel people to farmers market for breakfast, nothing interesting happened, but it was just fun to hang out, and to feel like part of the group with everybody here. After breakfast we went to some river. it was nice. it wasn't really a river, but something looking like a puddle, but there were a lot of locals splashing around, and again it was cool to see how poor people enjoying the simple things in life. They all tried talking to us, and play, splash the water. When we were leaving, we wanted to take some pictures, so they were all waving to us, making poses, yelling, like we were their best friends or something :) Back in the hostel we decided to make a house party. We bought some rum, and started to play pantomima. It was a lot a lot of fun, until I decided to get up from the chair and realizing that I can't really do it. Don't remember how I got to the room. But everything was spinning, I was sick for about an hour! :S it was the worst experience ever ! but the good thing was that everybody in the hostel tried to help me, everybody had different techniques to "cure" me, and didn't leave until I became better and fell asleep :) so no alcohol for me for at least a while! Yesterday went to dance salsa again :) and I couldn't even look at people drinking beer beside me! Got up early in the morning, and actually felt fine ! Me and my dorm roomate went to another farmers market, where NO TOURISTS GO !! It was very very interesting experience ! I kinda felt like the clock has turned back and I ended up in some medieval times. I have never seen so much garbage in my life. There are barely any streets visible, just piles and piles of rotten fruits and vegetables, and all that rotten smell. people barely have any cloths and shoes, and try to wear just anything to cover themselves up. People checking through the garbage to find something to eat, or something of use. Like somebody took an old and dirty plastic bottle. A bunch of people with diseases. It didn't feel that dangerous, but I told a few colombian friends that I went, and they were very surprised! They said that it's way too dangerous for them to go ! but the food is really really cheap and good ! I got 20 mangoes for $1 and 3 whole fish for $1. Sorry no pix, as I would be probably killed for the camera. And the funny thing was that I was eating an apple, and was looking for the garbage can to throw it out :) Going to a native ceremony today in a few hours ! :))
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Salsa anyone?
Colombian wisdom - if you're drunk and your bed is moving, put 1 leg on the floor to stop it from moving :)
Otherwise things are still great! We went to farmers market, omg the smell of fresh fruit and vegetables ... so intense and deep, it's amazing ! we got 2 bags of stuff which we could barely carry back for $8 !! Had a soup with 3 eggs and juice for $1.50! but everybody is trying to cheat us. we ordered for 3 + 1.5 + 1.5 (=6), and they told us in the end that we owe 8 :S
Wanted to buy grapes. in 1 place the woman said it's $2/pound which is CRAZY price! and in the other place it was 50 cents/pound ! It was so funny that Alex was still there shopping, and we waited and waited, and Eva went to check up on him, and everybody there started pointing to where Alex is, without Eva asking anybody :))
So finally we had a non fried meal ! yippee :)) went to Alex for dinner, he make some Thai food, which was really good! Later on we went to the openning of the salsa festival. There are so many events in here that are really good, and free. The culture here is truely amazing ! So in this concert they were dancing Calenian salsa (salsa from Cali), where they move their feet so fast that I don't know how it's possible ! but very nice, they had a theme going on, not just plain dancing, and really vibrant costumes! they played the national anthem with the video of Colombia, it really touched me. You could so feel the identity and culture of people, that even though they're poor, they're so happy, and feel proud to live in Colombia and welcome everybody with open arms and hearts.
Yesterday went to the center to buy some shoes and shirts, but couldn't find anything :( it's way too expensive, for ex. a shirt is $10 ! I mean, the price is alright, but not for Colombia !!
We're still not done tasting all the juices in here :) Yesterday we had some extremely tasty coconut juice for 40 cents.
In the evening had a salsa class in the hostel. The teacher proves himself time and time again. I don't think I sweat that much in my entire life ! It's very interesting to learn and do, and every time he comes up with some new moves, or alterations. Eva got so excited that she signed up for 2 extra hours of private classes with him every day !
In the eve went with university kids ;) to another jazz club. I had the most amazing drink. it was some black tea with mint liquor, and lemon and kiwi ice cream! so so good ! and in comparison to anywhere else, if you order an alcoholic drink, you could really feel the alcohol :) so 1 drink is usually enough :))
These university people are so nice, they always show us and take us to new places, and really try hard to make our stay interesting. Like in 2 weeks we're gonna go to some native tribe, and stay with them to celebrate the sea :)
Otherwise things are still great! We went to farmers market, omg the smell of fresh fruit and vegetables ... so intense and deep, it's amazing ! we got 2 bags of stuff which we could barely carry back for $8 !! Had a soup with 3 eggs and juice for $1.50! but everybody is trying to cheat us. we ordered for 3 + 1.5 + 1.5 (=6), and they told us in the end that we owe 8 :S
Wanted to buy grapes. in 1 place the woman said it's $2/pound which is CRAZY price! and in the other place it was 50 cents/pound ! It was so funny that Alex was still there shopping, and we waited and waited, and Eva went to check up on him, and everybody there started pointing to where Alex is, without Eva asking anybody :))
So finally we had a non fried meal ! yippee :)) went to Alex for dinner, he make some Thai food, which was really good! Later on we went to the openning of the salsa festival. There are so many events in here that are really good, and free. The culture here is truely amazing ! So in this concert they were dancing Calenian salsa (salsa from Cali), where they move their feet so fast that I don't know how it's possible ! but very nice, they had a theme going on, not just plain dancing, and really vibrant costumes! they played the national anthem with the video of Colombia, it really touched me. You could so feel the identity and culture of people, that even though they're poor, they're so happy, and feel proud to live in Colombia and welcome everybody with open arms and hearts.
Yesterday went to the center to buy some shoes and shirts, but couldn't find anything :( it's way too expensive, for ex. a shirt is $10 ! I mean, the price is alright, but not for Colombia !!
We're still not done tasting all the juices in here :) Yesterday we had some extremely tasty coconut juice for 40 cents.
In the evening had a salsa class in the hostel. The teacher proves himself time and time again. I don't think I sweat that much in my entire life ! It's very interesting to learn and do, and every time he comes up with some new moves, or alterations. Eva got so excited that she signed up for 2 extra hours of private classes with him every day !
In the eve went with university kids ;) to another jazz club. I had the most amazing drink. it was some black tea with mint liquor, and lemon and kiwi ice cream! so so good ! and in comparison to anywhere else, if you order an alcoholic drink, you could really feel the alcohol :) so 1 drink is usually enough :))
These university people are so nice, they always show us and take us to new places, and really try hard to make our stay interesting. Like in 2 weeks we're gonna go to some native tribe, and stay with them to celebrate the sea :)
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