Colombia Forum

CAtoMDE
Joined 2016
Posts: 420

5 years ago

On another long road trip - today in Quibdo

5 years ago

This will probably turn into my travel log so check in every few days if you care to see my progress as I will head south after I finish my stop in Quibdo.

I don't know how long nor just where this trip will take me, the old wet my finger and stick it in the air to direct my next place to rest my head will dictate everything.

Last week started in Medellin and drove to Tarso to visit a family whom I met in April of 2017, how fast 2 years go by.

I ended up spending that afternoon with the family, they moved to a new house but found them, on their small humble piece of land outside of Tarso about 8 km. They are so proud of the corn and coffee they are growing. What a simple life they have as I am almost in awe of their contentment and peace.

Next I headed over to Jerico, this was my first visit and so spent the night and the next day walked the city streets, had lunch, sat in the park. This place has become known for religious pilgrimages to the 8 churches in Jerico. What a charming little place.

Onward to Jardin - it is the same as I remember it since my first visit 8 years ago. The colors of the buildings and the friendliness of the people are welcoming.

Onward as I backtracked my drive up to Cuidad Bolivar, wow everyone was out in the main park, all friendly people. This place is known for the famous bicycle riders who were born here, their names escapes me.

Onward from cuidad Bolivar to QUIBDO - wow what a treacherous 5 hours drive through rain soaked, gravel/dirt pot-holed mountain landslide passes, my poor Kia Picanto comes through again.

So why quibdo? This area receives the most RAIN in THE WORLD! It is hot and continually humid as it rains every day. Why? Because it is about as far off the beaten path that you can find but let me share some interesting observation of this most recent adventure:

1. Have NOT been ask once to buy a candy (ie there are no Venezuelans anywhere here) or for a single peso or to wash my windshield or help feed the baby by anyone in either Tarso, Jerico, Jardin, Cuidad Bolivar or Quibdo yet.

2. In quibdo the vast majority are blacks and zambo yet this gringo with blond hair and green eyes fits right in, there is virtually no tourism here yet no one looks twice at me, I fit right in. The people in quibdo are friendly, not aggressive, some smiles here and there, they don't appear to hold resentment or are jealous, I am forming a good opinion of these good people.

3. There almost no tolls so far. I think I have 2 tolls so far.

4. I usually get stopped at least once per day by police check points and sometimes even 2 or 3 but so far no stops.

In an hour I want to take a ride on one of those long boats they use to transport food and fruit from afar off to the malecon in quibdo, this is the Atrato river.

William Russell

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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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William Russell

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William Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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