After nearly two months on the road I started to feel a little tired. Not that I would be running marathons every second day, but the constant moving around has its price to pay. I must say my Colombian "holiday" was a random encounter anyways. Such is long term travel - not knowing where you're going to end up - you have to embrace every moment/place...
One of those places ought to be Popayan. A small place between Bogota and Ecuadorean border. I needed to divide my journey down south somewhat and this city was perfect for it. My plan was to chill some place cheap and not busy. I had a running nose and needed to relax. Some retrospective thinking and future planning came hand in hand and I was focusing on myself while in Popayan.
Most travel destinations are not created equal. Popayan is rather boring town. I wouldn't recommend visiting this place unless it is a transit stop as in my case. Sure there are some appealing places to visit outside the city, but be prepared for a "Gringoland" experience. Natural parks that are hustle to get to, requiring entry fee or presence of a guide.
I am not a fan of such places and activities. It is hard truth in Colombia - they do try hard to protect their natural wonders and hence you can't just go on your own.
So I will stick to the old town of Popayan. It is actually famous for some colonial architecture - but after two months around Lat-Am I am actually so lost in it - I can't see it anymore...
Wandering around I have spotted a political event. Locals are quite naive and attend all those rallies - mostly for free air balloons and sugary stuff. I passed by in WOW and headed to the biggest monument of Popayan - a local hill nicknamed pyramid...
I have hiked up in my fake crocks, which are actually manufactured here in Colombia. It didn't take long and I was rewarded with pretty nice views.
I took an off road path up and my crocks suffered a little. I wonder when I will have to buy some better shoes. So far I am surviving with a pair of Nike skate shoes and fake crocks - which are both good and bad. I guess my main point is to look as poor as possible to avoid being encountered by robbers. So far it worked amazing. This however reminds me my arrival to Popayan.
As it is custom here in Colombia the bus rides take longer than advertised. As for first time few days ago, so this time I have arrived already after sunset. If you have ever been to Latin america you will agree that day and night are two separate realities here.
I knew taxis are cheap, but somehow when I got off the bus I didn't feel like grabbing one. I was being offered things right at the door and my priority was to get the hell out of the main station. There was also a pedestrian bridge leading exactly my direction and so I have started walking to the center...
If it was a good or bad idea - I am not sure - but nothing happened to me obviously. It wasn't still that late and I tried my best to look like I know exactly where I am going. I felt a little uneasy at times. Specially in some darker street corners, but as I have said, I had my ninja hat on and skipped through all the potential trouble unnoticed...
Back to daytime Popayan again shall we. At the top of the hill I figured there is an easy way up (or down) on the other side. Nice paved sidewalk to be precise. That led me back to center where I have observed some usual gringo traps such as tourist shops of all sorts. There was also a book market outside which caught my attention, but my "terrible" Spanish didn't allow me to find a suitable publication.
Back in the hostel I have met Dominic - a Dutch traveler and hypnotiser. He was much more valuable than any book I could have bought at the market and our discussion went into late night hours. I have spent overall four nights in Popayan before I felt powerful and motivated enough to keep on going...
All the best,
Global Local