Friday, October 24, 2008

Jesus, Mary and Joseph.....I'm in Colombia!

flew from panama city to bogota. original plan was to skip colombia and go straight to ecuador but after talking to so many travellers who had great experience and recommened not to skip it, plus air frieght of bike being 2x as much to quito I came.. Wow what a vast difference from central america. feels like Eastern Europe or something … though im not sure yet, its dark and only been to the airport and directly to the hotel. Which in itself was a trip. As soon as thru customs there is one glass wall with 100’s of people looking in waiting and about 20 ft to the outside door where you’re released to a sea of wolves. Hustlers for hotels and taxis mainly.
Its quite the experience with an already media scared mindset. First thought is “oh shit“, second…“mommy?”
Finally went with a hotel pusher that seemed legit. 50 skins for a room which is about 100 less than a sherton or something like that.
Hot water? Oh ya. Safe? Oh ya. Clean? Oh ya. Internet? Of course. Close? Yaya. Ok lets go.
He calls his goon who pulls up in junk old wagon. I get in. we take off and right away the steering is out….its like driving in a boat. 10 minutes and we get to the hotel. I mean scary hostel that is barred in stronger than a prison cell….$5 hostel at best for $50 (and I in the ghetto). He did a good job and deserves the commission….im here, I paid and theres no way Im going anywhere else. Hoping the bike arrives ok in the morning so I can get out of here.
ran into two other bikers at the freight shipper

blah view from hotel hostel window..step aside j-lo, bogota booty!

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