Entering Colombia!
July 15, 2024
Colombia. We were a bit on edge in the border region. Being unpleasantly stared at and repeatedly warned: "watch out for robberies and attacks". Nothing new per se, but now the frequency suddenly increased. Ok, we'll be extra careful. But we keep on going, it can't be that bad. Sure enough, most faces lightened up after a lively ¡Hola! from our side.
The atmosphere changed quickly though, as we moved away from the border region. Revealing the true nature of the southern part of the country. And boy, what a picture perfect one it is. Green beyond belief, with waterfalls, flowers, and rich agricultural fields bringing color to the living canvas. People blending in with their beautifully designed ponchos. While many are hidden too, underneath the pitch black kind. Because there is a price to be paid for all this beauty. Rain.
There seems to be no end to it. Everyday rain. Day and night, with the occasional sucker hole at noon. Numbness is our enforced coping mechanism. Body and bike muddy, car wash. Tent wet, pack up and dry later. No views, imagine them. Completely soaked, stop early. The final rough edges of our minds are being shaped. But it helps to look forward to the end of this incredible journey too. Because yes, it is in sight. End of August we fly back, and we decided on Bogotá as the final destination. We finish in the mountains, where we have felt home for the last year. It feels good, and a bit sad, to have this point on the map.
A few more weeks to go. But first, Trampolín de la muerte. Colombia's death road connecting the high Andes with the lower lying Amazon. A rocky and ever misty road, having claimed many fatalities due to its narrow paths and frequent landslides. We crossed it, you guessed it, in the pooring rain. But it's nothing to cry about (well, maybe a little). Through the clouds, for a brief moment, this road revealed itself to be absolutely magical. A few minutes of wonder, followed by the mightiest torrent of rain we've ever experienced. The amount of water... incredible. Dry-day needed!
Route: San Juan - Pasto - Mocoa
