Recap and Photos - Meinhard's

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Colombia recap and Notes from Meinhard

I spent US$ 1,300 for 32 days for Transportation, Food and Hostels / Hotels (No airfare).
Time was spent in Hostels or local hotels and we ate at local places (not tourist places).

·  Colombia is for Travelers not yet for Tourists

·   You see many Europeans and Australians traveling and back packing

·   You see many women traveling alone, with back packs staying in hostels

·   Never felt any danger on the street or any other place

·   Police was friendly also the military when a bus was stopped

·   You should speak good Spanish to enjoy the country

·   There are many local hotels to stay in at a bargain price (US$ 5 – 10)

·   There are many hostels to stay in and many run by foreigners (US$ 6 – 10)

·   There are many restaurants to eat at bargain prices (US$3 – 5)

·   A beautiful country with mountains in the South and Central part, very lush and green

·   There are many high mountains, when traveling by bus there are beautiful views

·   People are very nice will stop you and try to talk to you

·   People will not ask you for money (like other SA countries)

·   Cities are modern and clean; yes there is garbage on the side walks

·   The outskirts of cities are a mess and you see a lot of garbage and plastic bags

·   Many small cities or towns are very clean

·   Many small cities or towns are dirty and garbage is lying around

·   Bus terminals are in every town or city – very clean

·   Buses go anywhere and anytime almost no waiting

·   Buses are good

·   Buses drive too fast; and it is dangerous to be in a bus

·   Bus drivers know how to drive but are not responsible and are careless

·   Buses stop any time any place to pick up people (for cash)

·  No one cares about traffic rules

·  In the North (Caribbean) the National Flower is a plastic bag, they are handed out and let go all over.

·   Food is OK lots of rice, plantains and beef (in local places). Sweet breads.

·   Beer is good and inexpensive (US$.60 bottle).

·   Difficult or impossible to find good coffee.

·   More expensive places have good to very good food (US$10 +)

Bogota Monday February 2

With an early bus from San Gil we ended up in Bogota at our Hostel at 3:30PM. Just in time to enjoy one more time the great soup at a near by Colombian Restaurant. Same place we visited 5 weeks ago. We are getting ready for the flight back to the states at 10:00AM on Tuesday.