(Monday-Wednesday, 15-17 June 2009)
Google map: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=pt-PT&geocode=&q=mongui+colombia&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=12.739664,28.125&ie=UTF8&ll=5.878332,-73.899536&spn=2.677256,5.603027&z=8&iwloc=A
For the non-Portuguese speakers, the expression “Cada tiro cada melro” means something like “Hitting a bird with every single gunshot”.
That’s the way I feel about small rural villages in Colombia with any sort of colonial architecture heritage: you’re certain to find a peaceful environment, spotlessly clean and beautiful streets, and friendly people. It’s the lady from the small food shop that insists on offering one of the “empanadas”, after spicing up your dinner with stories about the most interesting characters of the village... Or the owner of the “hospedaje” where you’re staying in that insists on offering you a ride to the nearest town the next morning...
I think that’s a significant difference between Colombia and the other Central American countries I’ve been to – there, if you visit a random small rural village you’re likely to find the dustiest of the streets and the most uninteresting and unappealing bricks & mortar architecture; here, you could bet your money you’ll find a colonial gem.
Of course, it helps that the town is somehow know for its history, and what I’m saying probably applies more to the Boyacá department, where I’ve spent the last couple of weeks.
Still…
Google map: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=pt-PT&geocode=&q=mongui+colombia&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=12.739664,28.125&ie=UTF8&ll=5.878332,-73.899536&spn=2.677256,5.603027&z=8&iwloc=A
For the non-Portuguese speakers, the expression “Cada tiro cada melro” means something like “Hitting a bird with every single gunshot”.
That’s the way I feel about small rural villages in Colombia with any sort of colonial architecture heritage: you’re certain to find a peaceful environment, spotlessly clean and beautiful streets, and friendly people. It’s the lady from the small food shop that insists on offering one of the “empanadas”, after spicing up your dinner with stories about the most interesting characters of the village... Or the owner of the “hospedaje” where you’re staying in that insists on offering you a ride to the nearest town the next morning...
I think that’s a significant difference between Colombia and the other Central American countries I’ve been to – there, if you visit a random small rural village you’re likely to find the dustiest of the streets and the most uninteresting and unappealing bricks & mortar architecture; here, you could bet your money you’ll find a colonial gem.
Of course, it helps that the town is somehow know for its history, and what I’m saying probably applies more to the Boyacá department, where I’ve spent the last couple of weeks.
Still…
The streets of Mongui - another gunshot, another bird...
Visiting Lago Tota, close to Mongui. Waiting for a bus in the middle of nowhere, that will take me to the middle of nowhere. Like it... -
Playa Blanca, in Lago Tota. Great fresh trout for lunch, and a nap
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