Dec 23rd-25th

First and foremost Merry Christmas to all.

Some reflections on Columbia. As I mentioned earlier the people have been great. On the street, in the supermarket, in the restaurants they put up with and work with my limited Spanish and everyday someone somewhere says welcome to Columbia.

Driving or riding in Columbia is interesting especially in the cities. The people drive with a very different attitude than people in the US. First, they all seem to expect the unexpected, unexpected lane changes, stops in the middle of the road and occasional driving the wrong way on a oneway street. No big thing. The amazing thing is there is no road rage, they just expect it to happen and drive accordingly. Horns are used in abundance, not to signal annoyance, but most often to let other drivers know where you are or that you intend on playing through. Motorcycle drivers rule the road, lane splitting and traffic weaving are the standard not the exception, drivers drive accordingly. Secondary in the hierarchy are the cab drivers, they will yield to a motorcycle most times but little else. I would guess there are more cabs than private cars here everyone uses a cab to go anywhere. Pedestrians are at the bottom of the order and are pretty much on there own.


Cabs waiting outside the big super market in the Suramericana part of town.

Went for a haircut a day ago armed with a new Spanish phrase "make me handsome for my lover" which entertained the woman at the salon to no end. Once they understood that part they asked where I was from. "Alaska riding a moto to Argentina" as usual that started a conversation I couldn't follow other than one girl asking if I was riding a Harley Davidson. When I told her no I was riding a Kawasaki she was only slightly less impressed, I think.


Side walk cafe's are everywhere

Yesterday, looking at a map, it dawn on me how many miles have passed under the KLR's wheels. Pretty amazing, lots of great moments already. So impressed with that bike, as Denny Bousson told me " that bike will take you anywhere" and so it has. A truly great motorcycle.


Futball game at the sports complex near Suramericana.


Entrance to the stadium at the sports complex built for the South American Games.

From the time we hit Mexico we heard that the Columbian woman were the most beautiful in all the America's. My take is that they have a excellent sense of presentation.

Christmas here was, of course, different. Some houses and apartments had lights, some Christmas music, I didn't hear Felic Navidad as much as I expected. Fireworks are huge here over the Holidays. Christmas eve appears to have been the high point, fire works at all hours of the night and early morning.



Steve from England working on christmas dinner here at the Palm Tree.

Tomorrow I fly to Lima to meet up with Knikki then we'll fly up to Cuzco to check out Machu Pitcchu and the surrounding area for New Years. Jim and Max are already there having met up with Jim's wife, Max's mom, Charlotte there before Christmas. I'm looking forward to being with my lover and getting into the high country again.





Wildflowers i came across on yesterday's walk.

Hear Taos and Angel Fire have awesome snow, vid clip indicates Skagway is doing alright Crested Butte sounds a little thin. 80+ here today.

LUF YMF

Location:Medellin, Columbia. Palm Tree Hostal