Again, it was time to leave the colourful Norwegian autumn while heavy, rainy October clouds lay heavily above Oslo and the weather forecast alerted the first sleet showers. As always, I´m leaving family and friends with mixed feelings, but keep telling myself this time it is only for a couple of months.The trip goes to Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and possibly El Salvador. And like in the past, it will be a mix of adventure and more serious activities such as visits to NGOs working with Venezuelan refugees and for protection and conservation of rain forest. If you like to join me on the trip you are welcome follow me here on this blog, on smugmug:
https://terjesphoto.smugmug.com/ and on my Instagram and facebook accounts.
Day One. Arriving in Cartagena, Colombia
It´s always the people that counts most
It´s always the people you meet that really make your day, when travelling like I am. And Colombia is definitely no exception. About to leave Cartegana airport I met one of these fantastic people who just are there when you need them. As I was asking a security officer where to get a local bus to the Cartagena centre and my hotel destination, a young man standing beside us immediately offered to take me to the bus stop. While waiting for the bus my new friend asked me if I had small change, because I would need that to pay on the bus. However my 10 000 (!) peso bill was far to much for any bus driver to change, så my friend took it to the nearest shops to change but with no success. Some minutes later, instead of just leaving me, he stopped a local, shared taxi and asked me to take a seat. I got inside, told the driver the address of my destination and asked the price. He just smiled and pointed at my friend a said "el ha pagodo" (he had paid).
And this was not the end of story about my first day of guarding angels. During the trip down town we picked up to ladies going in the same direction (this how the a shared taxi work). Arriving near the location of my hotel the driver stopped and asked me to wait because he could not drive inside the area where the hotel was located in "Getsemani". One of the ladies got out and after talking to a young rasta-looking man for a few seconds. The driver told me to go with him and he would take me to the hotel. More than happy I got out while the young man grabbed my bag from the back of the car and told me to come with him. Ten minutes later I reach my hotel safe, sound and happy thanks to my first Colombian acquaintances. It feels fantastic, and gives good hopes for the rest of my Latin American adventure.
Stay tuned if like to come with on the rest of this trip. I plan to post on the blog at least once a week. You can also follow me on Instagram, and my smugmug account https://terjesphoto.smugmug.com/
Some more pics...
The people of Getsemani neighbourhood
Making a video promo for the Cartagena carnival...
Street art in Getsemani are truly amazing..
Følger med, på den spennende reisen din!
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