Pasto, Colombia

We were here for two days/nights, and after Popayán we weren't expecting too much, especially with the nightlife. However, we somehow managed to find a bar/nightclub on our first night. We got talking (Spanish - no one speaks English!) to a few locals and they couldn't get enough of us! We seemed to be the centre of attention and we had a fantastic night.

Unfortunately neither of us had a camera with us, otherwise we would have got some really good pics, but I think that we will have more blog followers now...

What we did get photos of was the spectacular scenery between Popayán and Pasto. The 7 hour bus journey was interesting!

Popayán bus station

 

 

This guy got on just outside Popayán then got off at a village a few minutes later. He was talking to me (far too fast!) and pointing out when there was something worthwhile taking a picture of coming up.

As usual several street vendors got on and off trying sell food and drink. This guy claimed to have a miracle cure for all ails!

I don't know how this symbol was constructed, it was massive

The guy in the white t-shirt, José, got on when the old guy got off. He sat beside Craig for the rest of the journey, about 6 hours. He liked to talk and when the bus stopped next he jumped off and bought three cans of beer for us, it was 10am!

José and Craig talk about football, note many hand signals required!

Another stop, and more beer! Shortly after this one Craig had to stop the bus to go for a piss!!

Another overtaking manoeuvre, this time not on a blind corner! Notice the bus door wide open, they never bother to shut them.

A kind of ice cream making machine, it grinds ice cubes

This old woman wasn't selling anything, just begging

Finally we approach Pasto

Our hotel. An intruder alarm somewhere in the street started during our last day and was still going off when we left a 6.30 the following morning. It gave me a chance to write this post 'cos I didn't sleep much!

Main street

A billiards bar

This is the only photo we got in the nightclub, taken with Craig's phone. I asked for a vodka and coke for Craig and discovered that you had to buy the bottle!

This was taken before 2 pm. I had seen the guy drinking in the street with another bloke a couple of hours earlier!

The local beer (negra y dorada; black and gold (ale and lager))

Street close to our hotel

After almost two weeks in Colombia we cross the border into Ecuador today! We're starting to look at Galapagos 'livaboard' cruises.

Popayán, Colombia

The best thing about Popayán was the bus journey to the place from Cali. Ok, we only stayed there for one night and arrived in the afternoon, so there wasn't much time to do anything. However, we were up for a few beers in the evening, as usual, but there appeared to be almost no nightlife.

I was overjoyed with the 4 hour bus trip though, never a dull moment and we picked the best seats - right opposite the door...



Call this guy the conductor (not the driver, for my Spanish speaking amigos), his job was to try to get as many people on the bus 'en route' as possible. He jumped off on numerous occasions shouting "Popayán" at whoever he thought might have just decided to jump on..!



We were subjected to the well known South America bus movies



Street vendors. Lots of these people were allowed to enter and travel between 'stops' while trying to sell food and drinks to the passengers

Speaks for itself!? Don't ask me - only in South America!

A bit of cleaning in between hanging out the door and running along side

Our bus. I took this photo during a stop in a remote village between Cali and Popayán

We arrive, typical street in Popayán

The main square

Our hotel, it looks better from the outside

Evidence that Craig's postcards did indeed make it to a post office. The postal service in Colombia was a bit confusing and we spent hours trying to buy stamps and them find somewhere to post the cards in various parts of the country



¡¿Qué están?!

We couldn't find a pub for love nor money so we crossed this bridge into no-man's land

Just over the bridge from the 'historic centre', it's the wild west. We went into a chemist where Craig bought deodorant and I asked the girl if there were any bars nearby, she said that it was dangerous for us where we were and told us to go back over the bridge!!

Street vendor dressed as an Ecuadorian, but we're still in Colombia!

This was one of two bars that we managed to find in the Popayán!



The church

We left early the following day for Pasto, by bus - 7 hours. Pasto was much more fun!! I should say that generally we've been getting some attention in Colombia. Some people tend to stare at the 'gringos', but when we engage in conversation, and they realise that we can speak a little Spanish (¡no estoy seguro si es mejorando Carmen!), they can't get enough of us! Finally some reward after a LOT of time and effort made with the language. This trip would not have been the same without a reasonable grasp of Spanish - FANTASTIC!! So far we've not met any English speaking tourists, which surprises us both.